IELTS Writing · learn the shape from a story

The Two-Part Question

"Why is this happening, and is it a positive or negative development?" — two direct questions in one task. Answer BOTH, one per paragraph. Meet its exact shape through a short story, then build your own.

The Two Questions at the Gate

Read it once for pleasure. Notice how the traveller earns her way in — you'll need her method in a moment.

The traveller reached the walled city at dusk, tired from the long road. The great gate was shut. From a slit above it, the gatekeeper called down: "I open for no one who cannot answer me truthfully, and in full. There are two questions. Answer both, each on its own, or the gate stays closed."

"Ask," said the traveller, setting down her pack. She knew that half an answer would be no answer at all.

"First: why do you travel?" She did not rush. "I travel to learn," she said. "At home I knew only my own valley. On the road I have crossed rivers, argued with strangers and slept under stars I had never named. I travel because a mind, like a field, grows only when it is turned over."

"Good," said the gatekeeper. "Now the second, and do not let it lean on the first: has your journey made you wiser or poorer?" She thought carefully, for this question wanted a verdict. "Wiser," she answered plainly. "My purse is lighter, yes — but I once healed a fevered child with a herb I learned three villages back. What I carry now cannot be stolen."

The gatekeeper was quiet a moment. "You answered both," he said, "and neither borrowed from the other." The bolts slid back, and the gate swung wide.

She got in because she answered both questions — each fully, each on its own, and the second with a clear verdict. Open The Shape to see it.

Her two answers are the essay

The traveller's four moves are the four parts of a two-part question essay. Same colours, all the way through this lesson.

In the story"There are two questions. Answer both." — she sets down her pack and prepares to take each in turn.
IntroductionRephrase the prompt, then preview that you will answer both questions — one at a time.
In the story"Why do you travel?" → "To learn — a mind, like a field, grows only when it is turned over."
Body Paragraph 1 — Question 1A full answer to the first question, explained, with one example.
In the story"Wiser or poorer?" → "Wiser" — a clear verdict, then the healed child as proof.
Body Paragraph 2 — Question 2A full answer to the second question. For "positive or negative?", give a clear verdict, with one example.
In the story"You answered both, and neither borrowed from the other." The gate swings wide.
ConclusionBriefly sum up both answers together — the reason, and your verdict.

The three rules hidden in the story

1
Answer BOTH questions. The gatekeeper opened only when both were answered. In the exam, a missed question caps your score, however good the rest.
2
One question per body paragraph. "Do not let the second lean on the first." Keep each answer whole and separate.
3
For "positive or negative?", give a clear verdict. She said "wiser" — not "a bit of both." Choose a side and commit; don't vaguely list both.

The same shape, a real question

In many countries, people are becoming increasingly materialistic. What are the reasons for this, and is it a positive or negative development?

Watch the four colours return — the traveller's two answers, now in exam English.

Introduction — rephrase + preview both answers It is undeniable that, across much of the world, a preoccupation with money and possessions is an increasingly common trend. This essay will explain the main reasons behind this shift and then evaluate whether it is a positive or negative development. In my view, although the causes are understandable, the trend is largely negative.
Body Paragraph 1 — Question 1: the reasons There are several reasons why people have grown more materialistic. The primary one is relentless advertising: companies now reach us on every screen, teaching us to measure happiness by what we own. This is intensified by social comparison, as platforms constantly display the possessions of others and breed envy. Rising incomes play a part too, since greater disposable wealth simply makes such spending possible. A clear example is the modern smartphone, replaced every year not because it fails, but because advertisers persuade us that last year's model is shamefully out of date.
Body Paragraph 2 — Question 2: positive or negative? As for whether this is positive or negative, I firmly believe it is negative. Endless craving rarely satisfies; it merely resets our expectations higher, leaving people anxious and perpetually dissatisfied. There is an old tale of a man offered all the land he could walk around in a single day: greed drove him to run from dawn to dusk without rest, and he dropped dead at the finish line, needing in the end only the few feet of earth in which he was buried. The story endures because the folly is real — the pursuit of ever more, for its own sake, consumes the very life it was meant to enrich.
Conclusion — sum up both answers In conclusion, the main reasons for rising materialism are aggressive advertising, social comparison and growing incomes; and, on balance, this development is a negative one, since the endless pursuit of possessions tends to erode contentment rather than build it.
Notice: both questions answered (reasons, then verdict), one question per paragraph, a clear "negative" verdict, and a conclusion that ties the two together. Exactly the traveller.

The exact phrases for each move

Keep these to hand while you write your own. One from each group is plenty.

Introduction — rephrase & preview both answers

It is undeniable that … is an increasing trend. In recent years, … has become increasingly common. This essay will explain the reasons and evaluate whether… This essay will examine why this is happening and assess whether it is a positive or negative development.

Answer Question 1 — the reasons

There are several reasons for this. The primary one is… The main cause of this trend is… This can be attributed to… A further reason is that…

Answer Question 2 — the verdict

As for whether this is positive or negative, I believe… Turning to the second question, in my view this is… On balance, I regard this development as… I firmly believe this is a negative / positive development because…

Introduce your example

A clear example of this is… This can be seen in… For instance,… There is an old tale that illustrates this:…

Conclusion — sum up both answers

In conclusion, the main reasons are … and on balance this development is… To sum up, this trend stems from … and is, in my view,… Overall, while the causes are … the development is ultimately…

Now build your own

More and more people are moving from the countryside to live in cities. Why is this happening, and is it a positive or negative development?

Fill the skeleton first — preview, an answer to each question, a verdict — then write the full essay. Be the traveller: answer both questions, each on its own, and commit to a clear verdict.

Check it like an examiner

IntroductionRephrase: rural-to-urban migration is rising worldwide. Preview: this essay will explain why it happens and judge whether it is positive or negative — I regard it as, on balance, positive.
Answer to Question 1 + exampleWhy: cities offer better jobs, wages, schools and hospitals than the countryside. Example — a young graduate leaves a village with no employers for a capital where whole industries are hiring.
Answer to Question 2 — verdict + exampleVerdict: largely positive. Cities concentrate talent, lift incomes and widen opportunity. Example — migrants who send money home often lift their entire rural family out of poverty. (Acknowledge overcrowding, but hold the line.)
ConclusionSum up both: people move for work, wages and services; and on balance the trend is positive, as it opens opportunities that rural life cannot.