Grammar fix
a contentious issue
disputed topic
an issue or topic that causes a lot of disagreement or argument, often because people have strong and opposing opinions about it.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- Immigration policy remains a contentious issue in many countries.society
- In my opinion, climate change is a contentious issue because people have such strong and conflicting views about its causes and solutions.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: a contentious issue (for/to someone/in society)
WrongImmigration is a very contentious.
RightImmigration is a very contentious issue.
'Contentious' is an adjective — it needs a noun ('issue', 'topic').
Patterna contentious issue (for/to someone/in society)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Engenders considerable disagreement' is heavy; 'contentious' says it in one word.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
contentious issuehighlyaremainspolitically
Don't confuse it
Unlike a 'controversial issue', which may simply be widely discussed or disagreed on, a 'contentious issue' usually involves active, sometimes heated, argument or conflict.