Asking questions in essays

[Anna232]

On page 141 in the IELTS Academic 20 there is a sample essay which achieved Band 7.0 score. The candidate asks a question in their essay and says: "Is it really that negative in terms of maintaining individuality? To my mind, it is not." Should asking questions be avoided in the IELTS essays and is it correct to say "to my mind, it is not" without using "because" with a personal idea after "to my mind? I mean without explaining why you think so. The rest of the text is the following: "The way many of us are dressed today is believed to be affected by the fashion industry. The reason why it is so important for some people to choose their clothes according to the trends may be in our dependence on what is popular at the moment which is a double-edged sword. Of course, trying to keep up with modern fads consumes pretty much time and enegy, but is it really that negative in terms of maintaining individuality? To my mind, it is not."
From IELTS 20 Academic Authentic Practice Tests. 2025.

 

[teechar]

Should asking questions be avoided in the IELTS essays

Generally speaking yes it should be avoided. However, I think you are focusing on individual style rather than the more important aspects of an essay (good cohesion, persuasive arguments, convincing examples, clear and grammatical sentences).

and is it correct to say "to my mind, it is not" without using "because" with a personal idea after "to my mind? I mean without explaining why you think so.

I agree with you. Providing an opinion without supporting it is not a good idea.

 

[embertmorton200]

Questions in essays can work, but only if they’re doing real work. Dropping one at the start can hook a reader, while using them mid-paragraph often feels lazy. Tutors usually want clear arguments, not a chain of questions. Turning a question into a strong statement often sounds more confident and keeps the flow smoother.

 

[Tarheel]

It's not really a question in the usual sense. That is, they don't expect an answer. In fact, they clearly have their own answer. While it's in the form of a question, no response is expected. In fact, it simply sets up the next sentence.