Back to IELTS - Response - Developing An IdeaBackConcept

Sprint 3.4: Refusing To Choose

Learner commits to a position on a question they find genuinely balanced, and distinguishes a nuanced position from no position.

6 micro-lessons

Preview · progress not saved — Chapter 1 is free

f2099e12...

Is This an Answer?

Six it depends statements. Three say on what.

1 / 6

Both sides have valid arguments and it depends on the situation. Is this an answer?

df326834...

"It Depends" Is Only an Answer If You Say on What

The condition, the three ways to split, and why balanced is not safer.

The condition makes it a position

✗ It depends on the situation.
✓ It depends on income level — in wealthy countries the benefits dominate.

A reader can disagree with the second one.

They cannot disagree with the first, because it has not said anything.

1 / 3

e81ee98f...

Nuanced, or Neutral

Twelve statements, six of each.

Sort each item into the correct category

A position with a boundary in it

No position — nothing to disagree with

Unassigned

Both sides have valid arguments and it depends on the situation.

It depends on income level: in wealthy economies the benefits dominate, in poorer ones the cost does.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches.

I agree for children under twelve and disagree for teenagers.

The advantages outweigh the disadvantages in the long term, though not in the first five years.

Different countries will reach different conclusions on this question.

The policy works in dense cities and fails in dispersed ones.

Much depends on how the measure is implemented in practice.

It is difficult to say which side is right without more evidence.

I support the ban for advertising aimed at under-tens, and oppose it above that age.

Reasonable people disagree, and both positions deserve respect.

Remote work helps experienced staff and harms those in their first two years.

44d03011...

Name What It Depends On

Eight statements. Two already name their condition.

Rewrite each statement with a named condition — by group, by place, or by time. Two already have one; write no change for those.

0 of 8 blanks filled

Should public transport be free? Both sides have valid arguments and it depends on the situation. →
Should the school day be longer? There are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches. →
Has remote work helped or harmed workers? Remote work helps experienced staff and harms those in their first two years. →
Should advertising to children be banned? Much depends on how the measure is implemented. →
Is tourism good for historic cities? Different countries will reach different conclusions on this. →
Should companies pay for training? It is difficult to say which side is right without more evidence. →
Should city centres be closed to cars? The policy works in dense cities and fails in dispersed ones. →
Should university be free? Reasonable people disagree, and both positions deserve respect. →

22753b08...

Take a Side You Can Defend

A deliberately balanced prompt. Commit anyway.

Write a position on a question designed to feel balanced, then name the support you would use.

Prompt: some believe that governments should subsidise the arts. Others argue the money is better spent on healthcare. To what extent do you agree?

This one is meant to feel balanced. Commit anyway.

Line 1: your position — a side, or a split with a named boundary. Line 2: one sentence saying what support you would use for it.

Your position*

One sentence.

The support you would use*

One sentence.

610d7669...

For Whom, Where, When

You said it depends. Pick which one and finish the sentence.

Learners can ask follow-up questions and keep the thread going.

You have a question that feels genuinely balanced, and your instinct is it depends.

Fine — but depends on what?

The people, the place, or the time period. Pick one and finish the sentence.

just now

← previousSprint 3.3: Where The Position Drifts next →Sprint 3.5: Conceding Without Switching ...