Generalization in writing task 2 IELTS or TOEFL iBT

Introduction

In your essay, there will be a number of generalizations and it's quite normal as the IELTS or TOEFL iBT writing task 2 does not require you to be an expert in the topic. Nevertheless, there might be over-generalization in your writing and it's not good. This is because over-generalization gives the readers the impression that you are not very thoughtful. As a result, they would not believed what you wrote. The following are statements wrote in an excessive manner and therefore will not convince your readers:

1. The internet is the solution to all our problems.
2. The youth can live without internet.
3. Everyone uses internet nowadays.

One way to prevent statements from being over-generalizations is to use adjectives modifiers to express to what degree the adjectives or qualities are. For example, the internet is quite important. In this case the adverb 'quite' is used to modify the meaning of the adjective 'important'

In addtion, you can use noun modifiers to experss to what degree the things are. For instance:

• Many youth can live without internet nowadays.

• Most/ A great deal of/ A great number of youth like social networking websites.

• Almost/ Nearly everything is becoming too expensive nowadays.

• Few students want to become teachers in Vietnam.

• Some insurance companies cheat customers.

• Many unemployed people lack money to spend.

• Most members of large families lack privacy.

Adverbs can also be used to modify a verb, indicating a certain degree of emphasis. For example:

• The internet is widely used nowadays.

• You usually can't trust the content in the internet.

• Watching tivi is partly/ sometimes harmful.

• Playing computer game is sometimes beneficial.

• Women are generally weaker than men.

• Men generally don't know how to cook as well as women.

• Unemployed people usually become criminals.

Modal verbs or expression of probability and possibility (such as must, might, may, can, would, could, it is likely that, there is no doubt that) can also be used. For example:

• The internet may offer the solutions to many of our problems in the future.

• There is no doubt that watching tivi much could affect children's mental development.

• Life in big cities may be dangerous.

• A person who has a stable job can gain financial stability and emotional balance.

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