Direct Question (Two-Part) Essay

What is a Direct Question Essay?

This Task 2 type gives you two separate questions to answer — often asking for causes, solutions, effects, or personal viewpoints.

Common question formats:

“Why is this happening? What can be done about it?”
“What are the causes of this problem? What are its effects?”
“Why do people choose this? Is it a positive or negative development?”

You must identify both questions and answer each with equal depth and clear structure.

Why Students Often Mess Up Balance

Problem	Why It Hurts	Fix
❌ Answering only one question	Task Response collapses	Match each question with one full body paragraph
❌ Writing like an Opinion or Discussion essay	Confuses the task shape	Do not present arguments — directly answer each question
❌ Unbalanced paragraphs	Looks incomplete or off-topic	Plan both parts before writing
❌ Weak transitions between answers	Hurts cohesion and logic	Use targeted transitions: “To address this…” / “Another key reason is…”

How to Match Structure to the Question Shape

A two-part question is not a debate. It’s a two-step response.

If the question is:

Why is modern life stressful? What can people do?
Then your structure should be:

Body 1 → Causes of stress
Body 2 → Solutions for stress

Do not flip them.
Do not merge them.
Each question = its own paragraph.

Strong Introductions and Transitions

Your intro should:

Paraphrase both questions
Preview that you’ll answer both

Example:
“Modern life has introduced unique pressures that previous generations did not face. This essay will explore the reasons why stress has increased and suggest ways individuals can reduce it.”

Use transitions like:

“One major cause is…”
“To address this issue…”
“Another step involves…”

Planning Strategy for Direct Question Essays

Underline both questions in the task
Brainstorm 1–2 clear points per question
Map structure: Body 1 = Q1, Body 2 = Q2
Use transitions to show your shift from one answer to the next
Conclude by briefly restating both answers

Essay Structure Template

Introduction
• Paraphrase both questions
• Preview your dual focus

Body 1 – Answer to Question 1
• Topic sentence
• Explanation
• Example
• Concluding sentence

Body 2 – Answer to Question 2
• Topic sentence
• Explanation
• Example
• Final implication

Conclusion
• Restate both answers clearly
• Optional: give a final observation or recommendation

Band 8 Model Essay + Breakdown

Question:
Modern life is more stressful than in the past. Why is this? What can individuals do to reduce stress?

Band 8 Model Answer:
Modern lifestyles have undoubtedly brought increased levels of stress, often driven by economic pressure and digital overload. This essay will explore these causes and suggest practical steps that individuals can take to reduce stress.

One major reason for rising stress levels is the constant connectivity created by technology. People are rarely “off,” even during evenings or weekends, due to messages, emails, and social media notifications. For example, a 2022 study by The Guardian found that over 60% of employees check work emails outside office hours, contributing to mental fatigue. To counter this, individuals can take active steps to protect their personal time. One method is implementing screen time limits or using “focus mode” apps to reduce digital intrusion.

Another is practicing mindfulness or exercise, both proven to lower cortisol levels. These strategies help restore balance and create healthier boundaries between work and life.

In conclusion, modern life creates stress primarily due to technology and fast-paced demands. However, by setting digital boundaries and building healthy routines, individuals can regain a sense of control and reduce their stress significantly.

Why This Scores Band 8+

Band Descriptor	Strength in Essay
✅ Task Response	Answers both questions clearly and fully
✅ Coherence & Cohesion	Paragraphs are distinct but linked logically
✅ Lexical Resource	“Digital intrusion,” “mental fatigue,” “restore balance” show range
✅ Grammatical Range	Controlled complex structures throughout

Useful Vocabulary for Direct Question Essays

Causes / Reasons

One major cause is…
This is largely due to…
A key factor contributing to this is…

Solutions / Actions

One effective strategy is…
Individuals can address this by…
A practical response involves…

Transitions

To address this issue…
Another factor to consider is…
A further step involves…

Band 6 vs Band 7 Comparison

Feature	Band 6	Band 7+
Answer balance	Answers one question well, ignores or rushes the other	Both questions addressed clearly and fully
Structure	Merged answers, unclear flow	One body paragraph per question
Vocabulary	Overuse of “problem,” “good,” “bad”	Specific, academic phrasing
Grammar	Errors with complex sentences	Wide range, mostly error-free
Conclusion	Repetitive, unclear	Summarizes both answers effectively

Can You Identify the Two Questions?

Try with these samples:

Many people leave their hometowns to work in cities. Why is this happening? Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
* Questions: (1) Reason, (2) Judgment → Hybrid of direct + opinion
Some people eat fast food several times a week. Why has this trend increased? What are the effects on individuals and society?
*Questions: (1) Cause, (2) Effect
Online learning is becoming common. What problems does this cause? What solutions can you suggest?
* Questions: (1) Problem, (2) Solution

Use this as planning practice before writing.

FAQ

Q: Should I give my opinion?
Only if the question asks for it directly. Otherwise, stick to answering each part.

Q: Can I answer both questions in one paragraph?
No. That lowers cohesion and makes your response feel incomplete.

Q: What if one question is harder than the other?
Write about what you can explain clearly. Don’t fake depth — anchor each idea with a reason and example.