Category: English | Last updated: 2026-09-18

Which of the following informal phrases is best replaced by a more academic or formal alternative for an IELTS Writing Task 2 essay?

A) 'A lot of people think...'
B) 'It's obvious that...'
C) 'To sum up...'
D) 'The data shows that...'

Explanation

'A lot of people think' is considered informal and vague for academic writing. More formal and precise alternatives like 'Many individuals believe,' 'It is widely contended that,' or 'A significant number of people hold the view that' are preferred in IELTS Writing Task 2.

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