paper 2 sample essay

IB English Paper 2 Explained

Free introductory guide to IB English Paper 2 by IB45 and IB7 graduates.

This guide will explain IB English Paper 2 and what you need to ace the exam come May or November, when the IB Gods throw you this (seemingly) insurmountable task.

If you don't know all about Paper 1 already, do check out LitLearn's amazing guide  for IB English Paper 1. Paper 1 is all about on-the-spot thinking and  adrenaline-pumping analysis . What about Paper 2?

Well, IB English Paper 2 is  all of those things , plus extensive preparation . But don't fret! I survived Paper 2, and so have many others before you. All you need is a couple sprinkles of guidance from a seasoned Paper 2 veteran (ahem).

Meet your instructor Jackson Huang, Founder of LitLearn. His mission is to make IB English as pain-free as possible with fun, practical lessons. Jackson scored an IB45 and was accepted to Harvard, Amherst, Williams Colleges, and full scholarships to University of Melbourne & Queensland.

What is IB English Paper 2?

You're in the exam room. You stare at the page and wipe the sweat from your forehead and try to focus on the words on the page:

"We are all prisoners of ourselves.” Discuss how the sense of imprisonment shapes the meaning and the effect on the audience of at least two texts you have studied."

A Paper 2 exam consists of four of these prompts. From these options, you choose one prompt and write a 1000 to 1300-word essay on it.

How long do you get? 1 hour 45 minutes for both Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL) students.

In these 1000 to 1300 words, your task is to write a comparative essay , which — you guessed it — means comparing similarities and contrasting differences between the texts you've studied in class for Paper 2 (i.e., poems, novels, plays or short stories) .

Now that you understand what a Paper 2 essay involves, let's jump into how to properly answer one of these IB English Paper 2 prompts.

How to answer a Paper 2 Question

Let's stick with the above example about the theme of “imprisonment”.

First, see that philosophical quote at the start of the prompt? It's there to spark ideas, to get the juices flowing in your brain. You don't have to refer to it directly unless the questions explicitly asks you to do so. So the take-away message here is to not be ‘imprisoned' by the philosophical quotes at the start of the prompts.

Second, notice the command term “discuss”. This is usually replaced by words like “evaluate”, “analyse”, “examine”. Don't worry about it too much : it doesn't mean anything too important, because at the end of the day you still have to analyse, you still have to compare, and you still have to contrast.

The key of the prompt

The part after the command term is the most important part of the prompt:

"[…] how the sense of imprisonment shapes the meaning and the effect on the audience […]"

Here the “sense of imprisonment” — the key of the prompt — tells us exactly what we need to write about in the essay.

Can you find the key in this next prompt?

"Compare and contrast the effectiveness of the use of irony in two or more texts you have studied."

Notice the command term “compare and contrast” and the important part after it. The key of this prompt is “ the use of irony “.

Get comfy with morphing stuff

More often than not, our texts do not contain anything explicitly related to the prompt's key, say, the theme of “imprisonment”.

Pay attention to this next paragraph…

The secret to scoring a 7 in IB English Paper 2 is to get very comfortable with bending, morphing and twisting your texts and/or the prompt so that they are as compatible with each other as possible.

There are two ways that this can be achieved:

1. Morphing existing ideas in your own texts to fit the prompt

While Jane Sherwood's (some random character) nostalgia in your Incredible Text 1 may not directly relate to “imprisonment”, you could twist the character's nostalgia into the idea that emotions can trap or “imprison” an individual in a treasured memory or a past experience.

Nostalgia and imprisonment seem like unlikely brothers at first, but with a bit of justification they look almost like identical twins.

2. Redefining the prompt (reasonably)

The key of the prompt can often be vague . For example, there was a real IB exam prompt that asked whether “male characters were more interesting than female characters.” What does “interesting” even mean?

The IB Gods are inviting you to constrain the topic in a way that works for your texts specifically. You could write in the first sentence of your introduction:

"Interest, an important part of dramatic works, is often generated by emotional conflict and the subsequent creation of tension." "

Here I have restricted the broad topic of “interesting” to the more clearly-defined topic of “emotional conflict” because this redefinition works well for the texts I've studied for IB English Paper 2. You should do the same.

In reality, you have to morph both your texts and the prompt in order to reach a snug fit between the two. Getting to this point, which all happens during the planning stage, is the most difficult part of the Paper 2 process because it requires you to know your texts so well that you can apply the ideas in your texts to different situations.

How many texts to compare and contrast?

Before we continue with this introductory guide, we need to address the age-old question of how many texts should we compare and contrast in an IB English Paper 2 comparative essay?

In the old syllabus, you had the choice to compare and contrast up to three texts.

Luckily, in the new syllabus (First assessment 2021), you don't have to make a choice: the IB requires you to compare and contrast just two texts . One less decision for you to make!

However, you are still recommended to prepare three texts, so that you have 3 possible combinations of texts to answer your prompts (Texts 1 & 2, Texts 1 & 3 and Texts 2 & 3).

Now that we agree on how many texts to compare and contrast, let's see how we can make the texts work together.

Choosing the best points across your two texts

There's an easy way, and there's a hard way.

If you want a score of 5 or below , you can simply think of two points to answer the prompt for Text 1 and two other points to answer the prompt for Text 2. Then, slap them together into different paragraphs, regurgitate some shallow comparison and contrast, and call it a comparative essay. That doesn't sound very sophisticated, does it?

On the other hand, if you want a score of 6 or 7 , you'll need to use a lot more brainpower and insight. The points that you choose for your two texts are very important, in terms of how the points relate to each other and to the prompt. The points need to have enough overlaps that similarities can be analysed, but not too much similarity because you also want to contrast differences.

What ends up happening is you enter an algorithm — a set of steps, sort of like a recipe — where you repeatedly attempt to find good points for the prompt, gradually morphing them while re-defining the prompt itself, until you reach a good plan for your Paper 2 essay.

What does a good plan generally look like?

• Your re-defined prompt has not strayed far, or at all, from the original prompt.
• The points for Text 1 fit well with the prompt.
• The points for Text 2 fit well with the prompt as well as the points your chose for Text 1.

The million dollar question is: How do we get to this optimum stage where the prompts and the texts and married so harmoniously ? The answer is brainstorming.

In these Pro lessons from our study guide, we go into detail about the exact strategies for brainstorming for Paper 2 under exam conditions, choosing the right Paper 2 essay structure, and writing a strong Paper 2 thesis.

Pro members only

How to best prepare for Paper 2

We've talked a lot about the skills and questions necessary to tackle an IB English Paper 2 prompt, but all of that happens during the exam itself. What can we do before Paper 2 to put ourselves in the best position?

• (Really) understanding your text
• Choosing great quotes for your Paper 2 (covered in a later lesson )
• Practice past Paper 2 exams

Let's go through Steps 1 and 3.

Understanding your text

IB English Paper 2 tests skills that require a deep understanding . First, to compare and contrast effectively, you need to know your texts well enough that you can find similarities and differences in the micro-details and in the macro themes, in the characters and in the techniques. Second, in order to adapt the ideas in your text to the prompt , you need to know how far you can stretch those ideas while maintaining their validity.

Without a deep understanding, you're dead in the water.

In our Paper 2 Preparation guide, we tell you exactly how to prepare your Paper 2 knowledge and notes, down to the specific questions you should be able to answer. The preparation is organized into Level 1 to Level 4 to give you a structured study roadmap for Paper 2. That way you don't get overwhelmed.

No sign up or credit card required.

Practising Past Paper 2s

The most challenging part of Paper 2 is bringing together three aspects:

• The quotes you've memorised
• Your analysis skills
• Your ability to adapt the quotes and ideas to a new prompt that you've never, ever encountered before

Grabbing that 7 in IB English Paper 2 requires that you are solid on all three fronts . You cannot just practice each of these aspects individually. Practising to plan and write Paper 2 responses ensures that you practise this core trifecta of skills together, all at once.

Practising past Paper 2s was the core of my IB English Paper 2 preparation schedule. It helped me to memorise quotes, learn which quotes are better than others, and learn certain pairs of themes, characters and techniques that work well in my texts for comparison and contrast.

By practising Paper 2s extensively, you increase your awareness of what works (and what doesn't) for your texts. Hence, the main thing you have to worry about on the day of your exam is the prompt itself--the only variable that you cannot control.

In the Paper 2 study guide, we have an exemplar IB English Paper 2 essay from a past exam: See the exemplar essay .

Question​bank

Paper 1 Practice Exams

Past Paper 1 Solutions

Paper 2 Guide

From Struggling to Succeeding in IB English

How IB English students like you have improved their grades with LitLearn Pro... Read the reviews.

IB4 to IB6 in 12 days " LitLearn helped me understand exactly what I was doing wrong and how to improve upon those mistakes. " Read the full review

IB6 to IB7 in 1 week " I ended with a 7 in English Literature HL and I am so happy about that. Thank you Jackson. " Read the full review

IB5 to Perfect 20/20 in 1 week " I managed to be the only person in my IB cohort of 120 students to get a perfect score of 20/20 " Read the full review

IB4 to IB6 in 2 weeks " The lessons are really effective in grabbing my attention and making English more fun to learn. "

IB4 to IB6 in 1 day " With just day 1 of the course, I improved immediately and overnight when I did a practice essay and improved by 4 marks from my previous grades " Read the full review

IB5 to IB7 " I got 5s since my first year of DP and now my final grade is 7! I can't thank you enough 🙂 LitLearn is truly a lifesaver. "

Not ready to sign up yet? Free

No email signup required. Access these lessons now.

Learn Analysis

The 3 basic principles essential to IB English analysis

Learn how to analyze diction for IB English

Learn how to analyze modality & imperative language for IB English

Questionbank

Try Question 7 from the Analysis Questionbank

Try Question 23 from the Analysis Questionbank

Free introductory guide to the Paper 1 guided analysis exam

The 3 ingredients you're not including in your thesis

Free introductory guide to the Paper 2 comparative analysis exam

Covers the levels of knowledge crucial to Paper 2 preparation

Individual Oral

Free introductory guide to the Individual Oral assessment

Helpful list of global issue starters to kickstart your imagination.

Higher Level Essay

Free introductory guide to the HLE assessment

IB English Paper Two – Everything You Need to Know To Ace the Exam

Written by Jay ayliffe

When it comes to Paper 2 for IB English Lit/Lang and Lit, there are several things that students often find challenging. Some common reactions to seeing a Paper 2 for the first time include: 

• ‘The questions don’t make any sense!’
• ‘It’s too broad – I don’t know what they want me to say’
• ‘There’s no way I’m going to be able to remember the right quotes for that!’

Now, these are understandable reactions! Paper 2 can seem a little wacky and abstract, especially after the more relatively straightforward Paper 1 exam. However, if you take the time to unpack what the IB is looking for and follow the tips below, you’ll find that Paper 2 isn’t that bad. With the right preparation, it can be pretty straightforward, after all!

what is the English Paper 2 Exam?

In a nutshell, the IB asks you to write a comparative essay in response to a prompt.

Over the course of the year, whether you are a Lit or a Lang/Lit Student, you will have studied a series of texts. These may be poems, novels, plays or short stories.  The Paper 2 exam allows you to draw upon these texts, using them to explore similarities and differences in relation to the central theme of the prompt. For instance, 

“Not rounding off, but opening out.” Comment upon the way writers deal with the ending. In your answer, you should refer to two or three texts you have studied.”

Or how about?

Writers utilise a number of different devices within their works, including using time jumps or other non-linear structures. Considering two texts, discuss how writers use structural elements in unusual or interesting ways to shape meaning.”

Okay, these questions may seem a little mean at first, but you only have to answer one question! You will have 1.5 hours if you are a Standard Level (SL) student and 2 hours if you are an English Lit/Lang Higher Level (HL) student! (If you want some more help breaking down the question, check out this helpful blog on command terms )

The key thing to do here is to provide a structured and detailed answer that offers a balanced and meaningful discussion of both texts. Ideally, this means you are identifying 2-3 points of insight from the central questions relevant to both texts. This allows you to write 4-6 chunky paragraph s in answer to the question, in addition to the MANDATORY introduction and conclusion.

What do I need to do to prepare for the Paper 2 Exam?

First of all, planning is essential ! You will not know which questions the IB will ask you before opening your exam. However, a quick look over papers from previous years will tell you about the common themes and techniques the IB loves to ask about. Broadly, you can categorise these questions into three groups:

Why you should learn more than 2 works

Now, you have a rough idea of what they could ask you. Next, you should go back to your set of texts. Determine which combination of works would work best for you if you had to answer one of these questions. 

Some students commit to just learning two works. They rely on their in-depth knowledge of these texts to answer any question that may come up. I understand their approach, but I think having at least two possible combinations of texts available is best (e.g. Text A+B, A+C, or B+C). This ensures you are best prepared to answer questions with reference to the most relevant works.

Also, you certainly don’t want to be stuck giving yourself more to do by exaggerating the importance of one theme/technique in a work because that’s the only one you know!

With these choices made, you can start compiling quotes, context and moments from the texts, which you can use as evidence. Aim for 4-5 really good points of information that you can expand upon in your essay. Even better, if you already know that, you can directly compare/contrast it with a quote/technique from the other piece of work.

For instance, with my Paper 2 exam, I found it helpful to organise my notes in the following layout:

As you can see, I have prepared a mixture of quotations and techniques that I could draw upon for this question on endings. It also allows me plenty of room to elaborate on individual points when I develop new ideas and connections.

Practising Paper 2 Questions

Practising exam questions will help you feel confident writing Paper 2s. Through practice, you will also learn to adapt your prepared notes to specific prompts.

However, before getting stuck in, spend a bit of time thinking about your introductions. An excellent introduction will outline everything you want to cover in your essay, which is key to ensuring you are heading in the right direction. Have a look at the one below and think about all the different criteria it is attempting to reach:

As in all art forms, the ending of a play usually serves to resolve its central conflict, to highlight character development and to convey to the audience a final, lasting message which summarises the major themes and motifs previously seen in the performance. Wilde’s’ Importance of Being Earnest (Importance) appears to display all of these conventions as by the end of the play, the central protagonist, Jack emerges triumphant. However, theatre, as a highly versatile and varied art form, can and has been used to explore radical modernist and postmodernist approaches to art such as in Samuel Beckett’s play Waiting for Godot where these traditional conventions of an ending are questioned. Indeed, while Wilde’s play follows the traditional conventions of an ending in theatre almost to the point of comedic lunacy, Beckett’s play seeks to completely dismiss them . This is undoubtedly the result of the two theatrical productions differing purposes and cultural contexts where Importance clearly belongs to the theatrical genre of comedy of manners while Waiting for Godot is part of the theatre of the absurd.  Yet despite these radically different approaches, both highlight the importance of endings as a tool for a playwright to reiterate their main message and to provide the audience with a particular impression to take away. Sample Paper 2 Introduction by Jay

Criterion A: Knowledge, Understanding and Interpretation

• A clear statement about the writer’s choices and the effects of literary devices. It also sets up the basic structure of the essay to cover three core elements: conflict resolutions, character development and lasting message.

Criterion B: Analysis and Evaluation

• Unambiguous comparative statements about how and why the two texts differ regarding their endings, as well as share similarities.

Criterion C: Focus and Organisation

• The student introduces two key texts and their authors. There is a balanced description of both works, which the student will continue in the main body.

Criterion D: Language

• Spelling, punctuation and grammar is consistently accurate. The student uses a range of vocabulary and relevant, literary/text-specific terminology with precision.

Try to build a habit of writing essay plans with a short introduction. Doing this will help you to turn your notes and ideas into written answers more easily. It will also be an excellent resource for future exam prep! (Also, if you need help putting in the time for revision, these apps can be really helpful!)

6 Final Tips

Here are 6 final top tips to keep in mind next time you head into your Paper 2 English Exam!

• Develop Strong Time Management: Time management is crucial during the exam. Allocate a specific amount of time for planning (no more than 20 minutes) and stick to it. Make sure you give yourself enough time to talk about both works in a balanced way.
• Annotate The Question: Highlight key phrases and jot down initial thoughts. These annotations will ensure that you are sticking to the question and mean you won’t have to start with a blank page!
• Develop a Strong Thesis: In the comparative essay, a well-crafted thesis is essential (Click here to learn more about writing a brilliant thesis ). Clearly state your argument and how you will be referring to both texts in your answer. This will guide your essay and keep it focused.
• Compare Throughout: Every paragraph should start with a comparative, e.g. Both texts explore the theme of loneliness or Unlike text A, Text B utilises its setting to highlight . These topic sentences set you up to dig deeper and explore how these different writers’ choices contribute to the overall meaning and message of the texts.
• Incorporate Literary Devices: Demonstrate your knowledge of literary devices by incorporating them into your analysis. Discuss how these devices enhance the texts and support your arguments.
• Proofread and Revise: Allocate some time at the end of the exam to proofread your essays. Check for grammar, spelling, and clarity. Ensure that your ideas flow smoothly and coherently.

Final Thoughts

I hope this all helps! Remember to prepare for the prompts, test your introductions and focus on critical analysis. If you follow these tips and dedicate yourself to practise, you’ll be in the best possible position to go and ace the English Paper 2 Exam! However, if you want extra assistance and guidance, please check Lanterna’s Online Private Tutoring service . Our tutors can sit down with you 1-on-1 online and help you plan, improve and offer feedback on your Paper 2 exams.

Preparing for your IGCSE?

When preparing for IGCSE , students often seek effective strategies to enhance their chances of success. Exploring different study techniques is crucial. For instance, integrating mind mapping into your revision routine can significantly improve information retention. Additionally, consider joining or forming a study group. Collaborating with peers not only fosters a supportive learning environment but also allows for the exchange of diverse perspectives. Another valuable approach is to leverage online resources, such as educational websites and forums like Lanterna. These platforms provide access to supplementary materials and can help reinforce key concepts. By adopting these varied methods, students can tailor their preparation to suit their learning styles, setting a solid foundation for IGCSE success.

Share article links

Related Articles

• Plan for Success
• Revision Skills
• Study Skills

Top Tips for Studying Global Politics

Develop Passive Sources of Glo Po Income! Although this sounds like a Youtube advertisement for attaining financial FREEDOM by developing these TOP 10 passive income streams, I promise this is not a pyramid scheme but an excellent way to prepare for Glo Po on your way to school!  You can think of your Glo Po […]

• IB - Understanding It

Finn’s Study Tips – How to Improve Languages

This week we’re hearing from Finn, one of our school presenters, about how to improve your languages. Check out Finn’s study tips below! How to Improve Languages Languages are a huge part of the IB, with both Studies in Language and Literature and Language Acquisition being compulsory areas of study. For some students, this is […]

• Student Self Care

Coping With Exam Stress (Exam Blackout)

Exam stress sucks. Excuse the bluntness, but as I tested different openers, no words rang as true as those. It sucks. Coping with it starts before you even feel it. However, before we get into all that, allow me to paint a picture to remind you just how bad it can be. You’re sitting at […]

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, every ib english past paper available: free and official.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

In this article, I cover IB English Literature SL/HL , IB English Language and Literature SL/HL , and IB Literature and Performance SL exams. These are the core language A options for English speakers.

The IB English exams are essay based tests that require you to either a) analyze texts provided on the exam, or b) write analytical essays based on the books, poems, and other literature you've studied throughout the semester. That means one of the best ways to prepare for the exam is checking out past essays to see what writers did right...and where they got off track.

But where can you find IB English past papers, free and paid? Don't worry: we'll help you find past papers to study with and talk about how you can get the most out of these past papers during your study time.

feature image source: Books Stack Book Store Of /Pixabay

These past papers are free as a bird (or birds, in this case).

Where to Find Free IB English Past Papers: Official Resources

The IB has been cracking down on illegally uploaded past papers for the past few years, so a lot of previous sources are no longer available. IB has however, uploaded a few official past exams that you can view for free online. Below are links to the official IB English Past Papers provided by the IBO.

• English A: literature higher level/standard level: papers 1 & 2
• English A1 higher level: paper 2
• English standard level A2: paper 2

Since these are officially distributed by the IBO, these are the papers and exams you should use as a starting point as you study for your test. You need REAL IB English past papers to get realistic practice.

Where to Find Free IB English Past Papers: Unofficial Resources

Like we mentioned earlier, the IBO has been cracking down on unofficial English HL/SL papers online. However, there are still a few places where you can find past papers that have been uploaded by other users. 

One big caveat: these resources are unvetted, which means the quality of the papers is all over the place. Only use these resources after you've worked with—and studied!—the official papers above . And of course:  do not plagiarize  the ideas in any of the unofficial papers you find! 

IBResources.org 

This student-led initiative allows users to contribute past papers and other study resources to a free repository online. There are quite a few free English A SL/HL papers available on the site. You'll have to navigate a kind of clunky file interface to find them, but once you do, you'll have many free, unofficial papers to peruse. 

Reddit.com's IBO Subreddit

By searching the subreddit, you'll be able to find user-uploaded paper examples for the English IB exam . You'll have to sift through individual threads, but with some elbow grease, you'll find more free and unofficial English A SL/HL papers here. 

These papers aren't free...but if you're looking for high quality study resources beyond the official IBO ones above, these fit the bill.

Where to Find Paid IB English Past Papers

The only safe and reliable place to buy IB English past papers is from the IBO at the Follet IB Store . There are tons of scams floating around, so we don't recommend you purchase past IB English papers from anywhere else!

The IBO sells past IB English Literature SL papers, IB English Literature HL papers, IB English Language and Literature SL papers, IB English Language and Literature HL papers, and IB Literature and Performance SL papers from 2013 onward.

The site is somewhat hard to navigate, but using the search bar several times got me where I wanted to be eventually.

You're already giving maximum effort. Now maximize your outcomes! 

How to Get the Most of Each Past Paper

One complete test will take you 3 hours for SL or 4 hours for HL . If you are going to invest that much time, you need to be maximizing your learning. To do so, follow these rules.

Rule 1: Build up Your Endurance

The IBO used to split the English exam up over two days, so you would take one essay each day. As of 2021 that's no longer the case, meaning you'll have to take the full exam in one sitting. 

Here's what that means for you: you'll be doing  lots  of analyzing, writing, and thinking on test day. That can be exhausting! To make sure you have the energy you'll need to succeed, start building up your mental endurance now. 

The best way to do that is to have real-time practice sessions . On a weekend, set aside the three to four hours you'll have on test day, then write sample essays based on the writing prompts from past papers.  This will help you get a sense for what test day will be like, and you'll be able to optimize your writing process so you don't run out of time. 

Rule 2: Time Yourself

You need to get used to the timing. Here is the time allowed:

English Literature SL

• Paper 1 (Guided Textual Analysis)—1 hour 15 minutes
• Paper 2 (Comparative Essay)—1 hour 45 minutes

English Literature HL

• Paper 1 (Guided Textual Analysis)—2 hours 15 minutes
• Students will also submit a pre-written essay that's 1200 to 1500 words long. 

English Language and Literature SL

English language and literature hl, literature and performance sl.

• Paper 1 (Issues in Dramatizing a Novel)—1 hour 30 minutes
• Paper 2 (Comparative Essay)—1 hour 30 minutes
• Students will also submit an essay that critically analyzes a work and said student's performance of that work

Make sure you stick to this exact timing. Don't give yourself any extra time. Otherwise, you will not be prepared for the pacing of the actual test.

Research to Action / Flickr, used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Rule 3: Review With the Mark Scheme

After completing your full test, review your answers. You must review to learn from your errors and not make them on the actual test.  And that means going over your essays with a critical eye. 

Take an hour to review. While this may seem like you are wasting time that you could be spending on other practice, it's not. You need to emphasize the quality of your practice and no the quantity of practice. I'd rather you take two practice tests with good review than eight tests with no review.

You may also consider giving your practice essays to your English teacher or other qualified mentor to review. They can give you additional insights that will help you improve your analytical and writing skills before test day! 

What's Next?

Want more tips for IB English? Then check out our complete IB English study guide for all the info you need.

Impatient to get your IB scores? Learn when IB results and scores come out.

Did you know that you can take some IB classes online? Check out our complete guide to online IB courses , including which classes you can take online and if you can get an online IB diploma.

As an SAT/ACT tutor, Dora has guided many students to test prep success. She loves watching students succeed and is committed to helping you get there. Dora received a full-tuition merit based scholarship to University of Southern California. She graduated magna cum laude and scored in the 99th percentile on the ACT. She is also passionate about acting, writing, and photography.

Student and Parent Forum

Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com , allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

• For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

• Support Sites

English A: Language and Literature Support Site

Practice paper 2s.

What do Paper 2 exams look like? What kinds of questions appear on the Paper 2 exam? The links below shows several Paper 2-style questions. Feel free to 'make a copy' of these Google Docs and edit them for your own purposes. The documents will change continually, as the IB makes more information and past papers available. 

Study the questions in the Practice Paper 2s. What kinds of trends and patterns do you notice? If you were to make a prediction about the kinds of questions that will appear on this year's exam, what would you predict?

Compare the questions from the Practice Paper 2s to the Areas of Exploration. How are they similar or different? Check out the page on the 7 concepts from this course. How do these questions encourage you to explore these concepts ?

The Practice Paper 2s consist of four questions. Actual IB Paper 2 may not be organised this way, but these practiced questions are designed to help you prepare for the following types of questions: 

The first question is about a stylistic or structural feature. These types of questions lend themselves well to Criterion B: analysis and evaluation. If the feature is about 'narrative perspective', for example, you may want to write body paragraphs on related features, such as flashbacks, dialogue and characterisation. As always, connect form to meaning, while answering the question. 

The second question is intentionally difficult. The IB has been known to include questions that require deeper understanding of literature and contexts. Questions about how the meaning of a work has evolved over or how the author 's life has influenced the work are difficult if not impossible to answer. If you do not feel confident exploring answering these types of questions, avoid them! 

The third question is often about some kind of conflict or struggle. These struggles may be between competing concepts , such as 'new' and 'old', or juxtaposed settings, like 'rural' and 'urban', or characters, such as 'men' and 'women'. As you prepare your works, consider conflict, paradox and juxtaposition. You may be able to do something with these ideas or your Paper 2 response. 

The fourth question in the Practice Paper 2s relates to an abstract concept, such as justice, faith, home, wealth or identity. These may or may not be related to one of the 7 concepts from the course: identity, communication, creativity, representation, transformation, perspective or culture. Discussing literary works in relation to these concepts is good preparation for Paper 2. 

Even though you will not know the essay questions before the exam, you can still prepare for the exam. You can practice connecting works, by making diagrams like the diagram on this page . You can practice unpacking P2 questions , using activities like the one on this page . You'll notice on both pages that novels, plays and graphic novels tend to work well for Paper 2 responses, as question often ask about setting, events, characters, conflicts and other literary features of these literary forms. 

Related pages

• Paper 2 instructions
• Guide and outline: Areas of exploration
• Guide and outline: Concepts
• Paper 2 example: The Great Gatsby and The Reluctant Fundamentalist

IB History: Paper 2 Essay Writing and Analysis

The International Baccalaureate (IB) History program challenges students to develop a deep understanding of historical events, themes, and interpretations. One of the key assessment components is the Paper 2 essay, which requires students to analyze and write about historical sources. In this article, we will explore the structure of the IB History Paper 2 essay and provide you with valuable tips and strategies to excel in this challenging task.

 Understanding the IB History Paper 2 Essay

The Paper 2 essay in IB History is often referred to as the "Document-Based Question" (DBQ). It is a timed assessment in which you are provided with a set of historical sources and must craft an essay based on your analysis of these sources. The sources may include primary and secondary documents, images, maps, or texts.

The key components of the IB History Paper 2 essay include:

 1. Source Analysis:

- You are required to analyze the provided sources critically. Consider the origin, purpose, context, and content of each source. Pay attention to biases, perspectives, and limitations of the sources.

 2. Historical Context:

- Understanding the historical context is crucial. You need to place the sources within the broader historical narrative, identifying the events, themes, and time period relevant to the sources.

 3. Essay Prompt:

- The essay prompt will ask you to construct an argument or response based on your analysis of the sources and your knowledge of the historical context. You must address the specific question posed in the prompt.

 4. Essay Structure:

- Your essay should have a clear and organized structure. It typically includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

 5. Use of Evidence:

- You should support your argument with evidence from the sources and your historical knowledge. Effective use of source evidence is essential.

 6. Historical Thinking Skills:

- Demonstrating historical thinking skills such as causation, continuity and change, comparison, and evaluation is essential for a successful essay.

 Essay Writing Tips and Strategies

Writing an effective Paper 2 essay requires a structured approach and attention to detail. Here are some tips and strategies to help you excel:

 1. Begin with Source Analysis:

- Start by thoroughly analyzing each source. Identify the author's perspective, any potential biases, and the context in which the source was created.

 2. Organize Your Thoughts:

- Before you begin writing, outline your essay. Organize your argument, main points, and supporting evidence. A clear structure will make your essay more coherent.

 3. Address the Prompt:

- Ensure that your essay directly responds to the essay prompt. Don't deviate from the question, and make it clear from the beginning how you intend to answer it.

 4. Use Source Evidence:

- Integrate source evidence into your essay. Cite the sources when referencing them. This not only supports your argument but also shows your ability to engage with historical documents.

 5. Provide Historical Context:

- Offer historical context for the sources. Explain how they relate to the broader historical events and themes of the time period.

 6. Develop a Clear Thesis:

- Your thesis statement should provide a concise overview of your argument. It should address the prompt and guide the reader on what to expect in the essay.

 7. Support with Specifics:

- Use specific examples and details from the sources and your historical knowledge. Avoid vague statements and generalizations.

 8. Compare and Contrast:

- If the prompt calls for it, compare and contrast the sources. Analyze similarities and differences among the sources to support your argument.

 9. Engage with Historiography:

- When relevant, engage with historical interpretations or the work of historians. Discuss different viewpoints and their implications for your argument.

 10. Conclude Effectively:

- Your conclusion should summarize your main points and restate your thesis. It's also an opportunity to provide a broader perspective on the topic.

 11. Edit and Proofread:

- After writing your essay, take time to edit and proofread. Check for clarity, grammar, and organization.

 Sample IB History Paper 2 Essay Prompt

Here is a sample Paper 2 essay prompt to give you an idea of what to expect:

"Evaluate the impact of World War I on the emergence of new nation-states in Europe. Using the provided sources and your own knowledge, assess the extent to which the war contributed to the dissolution of empires and the creation of new states."

In response to this prompt, you would need to analyze the provided sources and your historical knowledge to construct an essay that evaluates the impact of World War I on the emergence of new nation-states in Europe.

 Conclusion

The IB History Paper 2 essay is a challenging but rewarding assessment that tests your ability to analyze historical sources and construct well-argued essays. By developing strong source analysis skills, crafting clear and structured essays, and providing evidence to support your arguments, you can excel in this component of the IB History program. Remember to practice writing essays and seek feedback from your teachers or peers to further improve your skills. Good luck with your IB History studies and exams!

You Might Also Like

How to Leverage your Summer to Boost Admissions

Summer programs offer students the chance to explore new areas, interests, and exciting fields. Here you can check some summer programs - Read our blog

Brainstorming for College Essays

This Article is intended to help you brainstorm and begin writing your personal statement essay and all the other college essays. This is a key step to write persuasive college essays

How to Stand Out through Extracurricular Activities

Do you know the importance of extracurricular activities? Why should you participate in extracurricular activities & how to stand out through it

Free Resources

• Sample essays
• Remember me Not recommended on shared computers

Forgot your password?

Or sign in with one of these services

Sample Paper 2

• As I Lay Dying
• English Paper 2
• Ethan Frome

About This File

This essay is my sample response to an in-class practice activity for Paper 2 and mirrors an exam response using the two novels: As I Lay Dying and Ethan Frome . My teacher graded it a 22 out of 25 mark. The following is the prompt I responded to:

"The art of the storyteller is to hold the attention of the reader."

With reference to two works you have studied, discuss ways in which the writers have employed techniques that hold you attention.

User Feedback

Recommended comments.

There are no comments to display.

• Existing user? Sign In
• Latest Activity
• Notes & Files
• Leaderboard
• Create New...

IBDP English A Literature

Website by Mark Beverley & David White

Updated 25 April 2024

InThinking Subject Sites

Subscription websites for IB teachers & their classes

Find out more

• thinkib.net
• IBDP Biology
• IBDP Business Management
• IBDP Chemistry
• IBDP Economics
• IBDP English A: Language & Literature
• IBDP English B
• IBDP Environmental Systems & Societies
• IBDP French B
• IBDP Geography
• IBDP German A: Language & Literature
• IBDP History
• IBDP Maths: Analysis & Approaches
• IBDP Maths: Applications & Interpretation
• IBDP Physics
• IBDP Psychology
• IBDP Spanish A
• IBDP Spanish Ab Initio
• IBDP Spanish B
• IBDP Visual Arts
• IBMYP English Language & Literature
• IBMYP Resources
• IBMYP Spanish Language Acquisition
• IB Career-related Programme
• IB School Leadership

Disclaimer : InThinking subject sites are neither endorsed by nor connected with the International Baccalaureate Organisation.

InThinking Subject Sites for IB Teachers and their Classes

Supporting ib educators.

• Comprehensive help & advice on teaching the IB diploma.
• Written by experts with vast subject knowledge.
• Innovative ideas on ATL & pedagogy.
• Detailed guidance on all aspects of assessment.

Developing great materials

• More than 14 million words across 24 sites.
• Masses of ready-to-go resources for the classroom.
• Dynamic links to current affairs & real world issues.
• Updates every week 52 weeks a year.

Integrating student access

• Give your students direct access to relevant site pages.
• Single student login for all of your school’s subscriptions.
• Create reading, writing, discussion, and quiz tasks.
• Monitor student progress & collate in online gradebook.

Meeting schools' needs

• Global reach with more than 200,000 users worldwide.
• Use our materials to create compelling unit plans.
• Save time & effort which you can reinvest elsewhere.
• Consistently good feedback from subscribers.

For information about pricing, click here

Download brochure

See what users are saying about our Subject Sites:

Find out more about our Student Access feature:

• Paper 2: Comparative essay

One of the exciting features of the Literature course relates to the way in which students are given free choices about the texts on which they want to write for some of the assessments. This, the second of two terminal examination papers, allows students to choose two works of any genre, from any place in the course - provided they have not been used for an assessment elsewhere. This provides quite a lot of creative...

To access the entire contents of this site, you need to log in or subscribe to it.

Alternatively, you can request a one month free trial .

港大 9A 狀元 Ms Priscilla

​中學英文補習、成人英語

2021 DSE English Paper 2 題目、5** 答案【狀元 5** 範文】

​2021 dse english paper 2 part a, question 1 (short task).

2021 DSE English Paper 2 Part B

Question 5 (範文更新中)

Question 7 (+5**範文)

​DSE 作文 常見樽頸位？如何解決？

訂閱 電子報 ( 免費 接收 5** DSE 範文)

了解 DSE 備考課程 (7 科 5** 狀元之選)

You are helping your school organise the annual school fair. You have been asked to make an announcement about the event during the morning assembly.

Use the poster below to help you write your announcement. In your announcement:

Introduce the event.

Describe some of the activities that will take place.

Let students know how they can help out.

​2021 DSE English Paper 2 Part B

Choose ONE question and write about 400 words.

Learning English through Social Issues

Although studies show electric cars are more environmentally friendly than petrol cars, less than 3% of all vehicles sold in 2020 worldwide were electric.

Write a letter to editor of Hong Kong Post .

Discuss why sales of electric vehicles are so low.

Suggest what can be done to attract more people to drive these vehicles.

Learning English through Workplace Communication

You work in the sales department at Fast Fashion, an online company that sells clothes. Recently, you have received a number of complaints from customers about the company’s no-exchange/no-refund policy.

Write an email to the sales manager.

Explain why you think this policy should be changed.

Suggest what changes could be made.

Discuss ways to prevent customers from taking advantage of the new policy.

Learning English through Sports Communication

You are a professional athlete looking for a career change. You have seen the job vacancy shown below and would like to apply for the position of Assistant Coach.

Write a job application letter to the Human Resources Manager.

Introduce yourself and your athletic history.

Explain your interest and suitability for the job.

Learning English through Debating

A social media influencer is a person who is paid by a company to promote goods and services through their social media networks.

Surveys show that a majority of millennials trust the advice of social media influencer over traditional media advertisements.

Write an argumentative essay.

Discuss whether social media influencers are more trustworthy than traditional media advertisements.

Give reasons to support your point of view.

Learning English through Popular Culture

You took part in a social media challenge called ‘The 21-day Gratitude Challenge’. For three weeks, you kept a journal about the things you were thankful for on a daily basis.

After completing the challenge, participants are invited to share their experience on the 21-day Gratitude Challenge website.

Write a blog post.

Explain why you accepted this challenge and what you hoped to achieve.

Reflect on the 21 days and whether taking on this challenge has changed you in any way.

Learning English through Short Stories

You are joining a short story contest organised by a book shop.

Write a scary story about a security guard on duty one night.

Use the pictures to help you write your story. You can use the pictures in any order.

Learning English through Poems and Songs

You read this poem in class and your teacher has asked you to write an essay on the theme of friendship.

New Friends and Old Friends

Make new friends, but keep the old.

One is silver, the other is gold.

Friendships that have stood the test –

Time and change – are surely best.

Cherish friendship in your breast –

New is good but old is best.

Joseph Parry (1841 – 1903)

Use these questions to help you write your essay:

What is the difference between old and new friendships?

Do you agree that older friendships are better than new ones?

Learning English through Drama

You want to be a screenwriter and have an idea of a TV drama series about three generations of a family.

Write a letter to the production manager at TV-Station X.

Introduce the characters, plot and setting of your TV drama.

Explain why you think this idea would be popular with viewers.

英文作文有哪些常見樽頸位？如何解決？

針對學生英文作文時的各類痛處，以下收輯了 Ms Priscilla 學習心得和解決方法，切忌錯過！

【DSE Eng Paper 2】DSE English Writing 英文作文技巧、寫作格式、提示詞 #附範例

2022 DSE English Paper 2 題目、5** 答案【狀元 5** 範文】

2023 DSE English Paper 2 題目、5** 答案【狀元 5** 範文】

Past IBDP History Paper 2 Questions and Responses

• To what extent should Germany be held responsible for causing both the First and Second World Wars?
• Why was there so much civil strife and civil war in China during the first half of the twentieth century?
• Compare and contrast the outcome and effects of two revolutionary wars, each chosen from a different region.
• Explain the impact of war on two of the following: women, the arts, the media.
• To what extent is it true to say that a successful economic policy is the most important factor for a single party ruler to remain in power? Examples should be given from two countries each chosen from a different region.
• Compare and contrast the foreign policies of two rulers of single party states, each chosen from a different region.
• To what extent was Hitler a) responsible for, and b) driven by ideological beliefs of Nazism?
• How far would you agree that single party states have been more interested in controlling the minds of young people than in providing genuine education?
• Examine the conflicting aims and policies of rival powers which caused the Cold War.
• Assess the importance of two of the following in influencing the development of the Cold War: Marshall Aid, Warsaw Pact, arms control, détente.
• Examine the impact of the Cold War on two countries (excluding the superpowers), each chosen from a different region.
• “The build up of missiles in Cuba in 1962 was a deliberate, provocative and unjustified action.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?
• What were the main social and cultural consequences of the Cold War?
• T o what extent can it be said that the First World War was caused by the alliance system?
• Evaluate the role of ideological differences in two civil wars each chosen from a different region.
• In what ways and for what reasons have tactics changed in twentieth century warfare?
• How valid is the claim that treaties are not necessary to end wars? Support your answer with evidence from at least two regions.
• “Single party states use education as propaganda to obtain support rather than to instil (increase) knowledge.” How far do you agree with this judgement?
• In what ways and for what reasons did China develop its own brand of Marxism/Communism under Mao Zedong?
• To what extent was Spain under Franco (1939 to 1975) a Fascist state?
• How far is it true to say that a successful foreign policy is the most important factor for a single party ruler to remain in power? Examples should be given from two countries each chosen from a different region.
• “In the twentieth century right-wing single party states have often been the result of a conservative reaction to change whilst the left-wing single party states have achieved power as the outcome of a revolutionary process against tradition.” Using examples from at least two regions explain how far you agree with this quotation.
• “Ideological differences played only a minor role in the origin and development of the Cold War.” How far do you agree with this statement?
• In what ways and for what reasons did the Cold War affect the Middle East?
• Analyse the importance of spheres of interest for one of the superpowers in the Cold War.
• Assess the importance in the development of the Cold War of two of the following: the Yalta Conference; Berlin; the arms race; non-alignment; South East Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO).
• Examine the impact of the Cold War on the social life and culture of two countries each chosen from a different region.
• Assess the importance of nationalism and selfish ambition as causes of twentieth century wars. Reference must be made to at least two wars.
• Examine critically two treaties and evaluate their success in resolving the armed conflicts which necessitated the treaties.
• Compare and contrast the effects for the country concerned of two of the following: the Chinese Civil War, the Nigerian Civil War, the Spanish Civil War.
• Assess the significance of either the Mexican Revolution (1910-1940) or the Vietnam War (1964-1975).
• In what ways and for what reasons did rulers of single party states play an important role in world affairs between 1917 and 1945?
• Identify the main principles of Communism and assess how far these principles were put into practice by one Communist rule between 1900 and 1990.
• Assess the contributions of organizational and leadership qualities in maintaining power two single party rulers, each chosen from a different region.
• Analyse the role and status of women in two of the following: Maoist China, Nazi Germany, Peronist Argentina.
• “Ideological differences played little part in the origin of the Cold War.” How far do you agree with this judgement?
• To what extent was Germany the cause of East/West disagreements between 1943 and 1963?
• Define “superpower rivalry” and assess its importance in international politics since 1945.
• Analyze the role of either Cuba or Vietnam in the development of the Cold War.
• Compare and contrast the economic and social impact of the Cold War on two countries, each chosen from a different region.
• Analyse the reasons for the outbreak of war either in Algeria in 1954, or in Korea in 1950.
• In what ways and for what reasons did foreign intervention play an important role in two civil war, each chosen from a different region?
• Evaluate the successes and failures of one twentieth century treaty in addressing the causes of conflict, and restoring peace and normality.
• “Promises of improved social and economic conditions win more support for would-be single party rulers than ideological pronouncements.” How far do you agree with this claim?
• Compare and contrast the organisation of one Communist state with one Fascist state.
• Analyze the methods by which either Castro or Stalin maintained his position as ruler of a single party state.
• Evaluate the attempts of two rulers of single party states, each chosen from a different region, to control and use the media.
• “The Cold War was caused by fear, not aggression.” To what extent does this view explain how the Cold War developed between 1945 and 1949?
• Examine the impact of the Cold War on educational developments in two countries, each chosen from a different region.
• Compare and contrast the aims and policies of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the Warsaw Pact up to 1970.
• For what reasons, and with what results, up to 1963, did the United States adopt the policy known as “containment”?
• To what extent has any twentieth century war changed the role of women?
• How far do you agree with the view of some recent historians that Chamberlain’s appeasement of Hitler at Munich was NOT a mistake?
• “The First and Second World Wars were European civil wars that required outside intervention to settle.” How far do you agree with this quotation?
• In what ways did Truman’s policy of “limited warfare” in Korea set the pattern of military conflict up to 1990?
• Analyse the conditions which led to the establishment of two single party states each chosen from a different region.
• How and why have religious groups a) opposed, and b) supported single party regimes?
• Assess the success and failure of two rulers of single party regimes, each chosen from a different region, in solving the social and economic problems of their countries.
• To what extent was the success of Stalin in retaining power in the USSR between 1929 and 1953 due to the appeal of Communism?
• Examine the impact outside their own countries of two of the following: Fidel Castro, Gamel Abdel Nasser, Julius Nyerere, Mao Zedong.
• Assess the significance for the development of the Cold War between 1945 and 1950 of three of the following:
• The Yalta Conference, 1945
• The Iron Curtain speech, 1946
• The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan, 1947
• The expulsion of Yugoslavia from the Soviet block, 1948
• The Berlin Blockade and Airlift, 1948-1949
• The formation of NATO, 1949.
• “A different kind of Cold War.” To what extent is this a valid statement about the Cold War after 1953?
• Explain how East/West relations a) affected and b) how the were affected by one of the following areas: the Middle East, Latin America, Asia, Africa.
• Using specific examples, evaluate the successes and/or failures of “Détente”.
• What were the most frequent causes of twentieth century wars? Specific evidence from at least three wars should be used.
• In what ways, and to what extent, was the Second World War “total war”?
• How and why did technological developments play an important part in twentieth century wars?
• Analyze the causes and the results of one of the following: Chinese Civil War (1945-1949); Mexican Revolution (1910-1940); Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).
• “In order to achieve and retain power a leader of a single-party state needed to be ruthless, blind to human suffering, and yet charismatic.” To what extent do you agree with this assertion?
• Account for the rise to power of one of the following: Castro; Mussolini; Nasser.
• Compare and contrast the economic and social policies of Mao and Stalin.
• In what ways, and for what reasons, did the aims and policies of two or more right wing rulers of single party states differ?
• Examine the role of education and/or the arts in two single party states, each chosen from a different region.
• How, and to what extent, did the conferences at Yalta and Potsdam (1945) contribute to the origin of the Cold War?
• “Although it began in Europe the spread of the Cold War to other regions was a much more dangerous development.” To what extent do you agree with this judgment?
• How and why did the policies of either the USA or the USSR affect superpower rivalry between 1950 and 1970?
• In what ways were gender and social issues affected by the Cold War?
• Assess the importance of détente and internal opposition to Communist rule in Communist countries, in ending the Cold War.
• In what ways did the causes of the Second World War differ from the causes of the First World War?
• Evaluate the importance of naval warfare in twentieth century wars. Specific examples must be given from at least two wars.
• Why were there so many Arab-Israeli wars between 1948 and 1978?
• Analyse the results of two wars, each chosen from a different region.
• Assess the social and economic effects of one war on two of the countries involved, in the ten years following the end of the war.
• Analyse the methods used by one single party state ruler in his successful bid for power.
• Evaluate the importance of ideology in the policies of two of the following rulers of single party states: Castro; Hitler; Lenin; Nyerere.
• In what ways, and to what extent, did either Nasser or Peron improve social and economic conditions?
• Examine the global impact of one ruler of a single party state.
• To what extent did events in the final year of the Second World War turn wartime allies into Cold War enemies?
• Compare and contrast the policies of the USA and the USSR towards Korea between 1945 and 1955.
• Assess the impact of the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan on the development of the Cold War between 1945 and 1961.
• In what ways, and to what extent, did the Cold War become less confrontational after 1970?
• Assess the importance of social and economic issues in causing opposition to communist regimes.

  Topic 3 The rise and rule of single-party states  

May 2008: Paper II TZ1

May 2008: Paper II TZ2  

Topic 1 Causes, practices and effects of war  

1. Compare and contrast the causes of the Korean War and the Vietnam War. 2. Examine the role of warfare either at sea or in the air in two wars each chosen from a different region. 3. Why, and with what results, was the First World War not confined to Europe? 4. Analyse the results of one twentieth century treaty or peace settlement. 5. For what reasons, and in what ways, did one twentieth century war affect the social and economic conditions of two countries fighting in it?   Topic 3 The rise and rule of single-party states   11. Analyse the rise to power of either Hitler or Lenin. 12. Compare and contrast the regime of one right wing and one left wing single-party state. 13. With reference to at least two rulers, assess the importance of social and economic policies for rulers of single-party states. 14. In what ways, and with what results, did either Castro or Mussolini use foreign policy to support his regime? 15. To what extent was the ruler of one single-party state successful in achieving his aims?  Topic 4 Peace and cooperation: international organizations and multiparty states 16. How successful were international organisations in achieving peace in the second half of the twentieth century? 17 . Compare and contrast the social and economic policies of the League of Nations and the United Nations. 18. “Democratic government can only be achieved in a multiparty state.” To what extent do you agree with this assertion? 19. Discuss the domestic and foreign policies of the government of either the USA (1933 to 1945), or Spain (1975 to 1990). 20. Assess the successes and failures of the foreign policies of two multiparty states each chosen from a different region. May 2009: Paper II  

May 2009 TZ2/XX Topic 1 Causes, practices and effects of war   1. Analyse (a) the long-term causes and (b) the short-term causes, of the Second World War. 2. Define limited war and explain to what extent one twentieth century war was a limited war.     3. Compare and contrast the social and economic issues caused by two wars, each chosen from a different region.   4. To what extent did foreign involvement affect the outcome of either the Spanish Civil War, or the Vietnam War?     5. For what reasons, and with what results, did the nature of war at sea change between 1939 and 1990? Topic 3 The rise and rule of single-party states

Topic 1 Causes, practices and effects of wars  

Topic 3 Origins and development of authoritarian and single-party states    

May 2010    Topic 1 Causes, practices and effects of wars

May 2011 PAPER 2 Topic 1 Causes, practices and effects of wars  

Topic 3 Origins and development of authoritarian and single-party states  

13. Compare and contrast the methods used in the rise to power of two right-wing leaders of single-party states. 14. Analyse the domestic policies by which either Mao or Nyerere attempted to solve the problems that they faced when they rose to power. 15. “Strong economic policies are the key reason for a single-party state leader maintaining power.” With reference to either Hitler or Castro, to what extent do you agree with this statement? 16. “Totalitarianism has had a significant impact on the lives of ordinary people.” With reference to one right-wing regime, evaluate the validity of this statement. 17. To what extent did the policies of two rulers of single-party states, each chosen from a different region, affect the arts? 18. Evaluate the effects of the policies of two rulers of single-party states, each chosen from a different region, on the role and status of women.

• With reference to one war before 1945 and one war after 1945, assess the significance of either air power or naval power in deciding its outcome.
• “The contribution of outside intervention to victory in twentieth century civil wars was greatly exaggerated.” With reference to two civil wars, each chosen from a different region, to what extent do you agree with this statement?
• Analyse (a) the causes and (b) the short-term results of either the Algerian War (1954–1962) or the Gulf War (1991) .
• Compare and contrast the social and economic results of two wars fought in the second half of the twentieth century.
• To what extent did the peace settlements after the First World War (a) deal with the issues which caused the war and (b) produce new problems, hindering future peace?
• Assess the importance of religious and economic factors in the origins of either the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) or the Indo-Pakistan wars (1947–1949, 1965, 1971).
• “Weaknesses in the constitution and the failure of political parties to support democracy caused the failure of the multiparty state in Weimar Germany (1919–1933).” To what extent do you agree with this statement?
• In what ways, and with what success, did one democratic (multiparty) state deal with issues of either gender inequality or the inequitable distribution of wealth?
• To what extent were the problems faced by Nigeria between 1961 and 1966 successfully resolved?
• Analyse the methods used to attain civil rights in two democratic (multiparty) states, each chosen from a different region.
• Evaluate the domestic, social and economic policies of two of the following leaders of the United States between 1953 and 1969: Eisenhower; Kennedy; Johnson.
• Compare and contrast either social welfare systems or education systems in two democratic (multiparty) states.
• In what ways, and with what success, did either Sukarno or Nasser deal with domestic challenges after gaining power?
• In what ways, and with what success, did one authoritarian or single-party ruler deal with internal opposition?
• To what extent was the maintenance of power by either Mao or Castro a result of successful economic policies?
• “The rise to power of authoritarian or single-party leaders depended upon the use of force rather than popular support.” With reference to two leaders, each chosen from a different region, to what extent do you agree with this statement?
• Compare and contrast the status and treatment of women or minorities in two authoritarian or single-party states, each from a different region.
• Assess the role of each of the following in the rise to power of Stalin and Hitler: ideological appeal; underestimation by opponents; propaganda chosen from a different region.
• “The Potsdam Conference marked the end of the wartime alliance and laid the foundations for post-war hostility.” With reference to the period up to 1949, to what extent do you agree with this statement?
• With reference to two countries, each chosen from a different region (excluding the US or the USSR), assess the social and economic impact of the Cold War.
• In what ways, and with what success, did the US and the USSR attempt to reduce Cold War tensions between 1956 and 1979?
• For what reasons, and with what results, did the Cold War affect the Middle East between 1956 and 1979?
• Compare and contrast the impact of two of the following leaders on the Cold War: Mao; Castro; Kennedy.
• To what extent did (a) ideological and (b) economic factors contribute to the ending of the Cold War?
•   “The success of guerrilla movements depends on the leader’s ability to maintain discipline and the support of their followers.” With reference to two guerrilla wars, assess the validity of this statement.
• Analyse the social and economic effects of one war that occurred in the first half of the twentieth century. 
• Assess the reasons for either the Indo-Pakistan War (1947–1949) or the Gulf War (1991).
• For what reasons, and with what results, did foreign intervention occur in either the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) or the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970)?
• “Technology is a key factor in winning wars.” With reference to two wars that took place in the second half of the twentieth century, explain to what extent you agree with this statement.
• Assess the importance of each of the following as causes of either the First World War or the Second World War: treaties; economic factors; ideology.
• With reference to one democratic state (excluding Weimar Germany), analyse (a) the challenges it faced and (b) how successfully these challenges were overcome.
• “Full democracy undermined the state.” To what extent do you agree with this statement with reference to Germany (1919–1933)?
• Analyse to what extent pressure (lobby/interest) groups may both strengthen and weaken a democratic state.
• Assess how effectively the governments of either Canada (1968–1984) or Argentina (1983–1995) dealt with political and economic challenges.
• With reference to two democratic states, analyse the causes of political extremism and how successful the states were in dealing with it.
• Analyse how democracy was established in either South Africa after 1991 or Japan after 1945.
• With reference to the leaders of two single-party states, each chosen from a different region, analyse to what extent internal conflict and weak governments contributed to their rise to power.
• Analyse the ways in which either Stalin or Nasser came to power.
• Assess the importance of the use of force for the establishment of totalitarian control.
• A ssess the importance of the cult of personality in the maintenance of power of one of the following: Mao; Castro; Perón.
• Compare and contrast the treatment of religious groups in two single-party states, each chosen from a different region.
• Assess the success of either Hitler or Nyerere in implementing their social and economic policies.
• Analyse the reasons for the growth of independence movements in one European colonial empire.
• “Pakistan owes its independence to the work of Jinnah.” To what extent do you agree withthis statement?
• Assess the factors which enabled one Eastern European state to gain independence from Soviet control.
• Analyse the importance of either Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam) or Nkrumah (Ghana) to the success of the independence movements in their respective countries.
• Why did post-colonial governments in Asia and Africa experience instability after gaining their independence?
• For what reasons, and with what results, did Yugoslavia dissolve?
• “Conflicting views about the treatment of Germany were a major cause of the Cold War.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?
• By what methods, and with what results, did the USSR impose control on Eastern Europe between 1945 and 1956?
• Analyse the reasons for, and the impact of, changes in US–Chinese relations in the 1970s.
• Assess the impact of the Cold War on the economies of two countries, each chosen from a different region.
• Analyse the impact of either Gorbachev or Reagan on the course of the Cold War in the 1980s.
• Assess the impact of the Cold War on two non-aligned states, each chosen from a different region.
• With reference to either the Central Powers in the First World War (1914–1918) or the Axis Powers in the Second World War (1939–1945), to what extent was their defeat the result of poor tactics and strategies?
• Assess the importance of economic causes in the origins of either the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) or the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988).
• “Victory was the result of superior technological development.” With reference to either the Falklands War (1982) or the Gulf War (1991), to what extent do you agree with this statement?
• Examine the factors that hindered the successful establishment of collective security in either the period 1920–1930 or the period 1945–1955.
• Evaluate the contribution of external involvement to the outcome of two civil wars, each chosen from a different region.
• “The poor military strategy of governments is the principal reason for the success of guerrilla movements.” With reference to two guerrilla wars of the 20th century, how valid is this statement?
• Examine the obstacles to the success of democracy in Weimar Germany (1919–1933).
• For what reasons, and by what methods, did political and economic change occur in Japan between 1945 and 1952?
• With reference to one democratic state in the first half of the 20th century, examine how it coped with threats from either internal or external sources.
• Examine the methods used, and level of success achieved, in the struggle to gain gender equality in one 20th century democratic state.
• To what extent was Canada successful in dealing with the political and economic challenges it faced in the period 1968–1984?
• “Coalition government proved unworkable and unable to promote stability.” With reference to two 20th century democratic states, to what extent do you agree with this statement?
• “Widespread support for the ideology of authoritarian or single-party leaders was the most important factor in their rise to power.” With reference to two leaders, each chosen from a different region, to what extent do you agree with this statement?
• Assess the importance of the use of force and economic policies in the maintenance of power of one authoritarian or single-party ruler.
• “The domestic policies of Stalin were beneficial to the Soviet Union up to 1939.” How valid is this statement?
• With reference to one of the following leaders: Castro; Perón; Nyerere, assess the extent to which his economic policies were successful.
• Analyse the successes and failures of either Mao or Nasser as leader of a single-party state.
• Examine the status of women or the role of education in two single-party or authoritarian states, each chosen from a different region.
• With reference to one African or Asian nationalist movement, assess the reasons for its success in achieving independence from colonial rule.
• “Challenges to Soviet control of Central and Eastern European and Balkan states (1945–1968) were both rare and unsuccessful.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?
• Compare and contrast the methods used in the struggle for independence and the reasons why independence was finally granted to Algeria and the Belgian Congo.
• In what ways, and with what success, did Mugabe deal with the challenges faced by the newly independent state of Zimbabwe?
• How successful were the methods used to deal with the political challenges faced by one Central and Eastern European or Balkan state after it achieved independence?
• Assess the importance of the leadership of either Ho Chi Minh in the organisation of resistance to colonial control or Havel in the organisation of resistance to Soviet control.
• Evaluate the reasons for the change in East–West relations from the Yalta conference to the end of the Potsdam conference.
• To what extent did the US policy of containment prove effective in limiting Soviet expansion between 1947 and 1962?
• Examine the social and cultural impact of the Cold War on two states (excluding the US and the USSR), each chosen from a different region.
• Assess the significance of events in either Germany (1945–1961) or the Congo (1960–1964) to the development of the Cold War.
• Evaluate the causes of the change in US-Chinese relations after 1969.
• “The break-up of the Soviet Union was the unintended result of policies introduced by Gorbachev.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?
• With reference to one Allied power and one Central Power, examine the reasons for their involvement in the First World War in 1914.
• Examine the reasons for, and significance of, foreign intervention in two 20th century civil wars,each chosen from a different region.
• Compare and contrast the impact of naval and air power in two 20th century wars before 1945 or two 20th century wars after 1945.
• Examine the successes and failures of collective security in the 10 years after either the First World War or the Second World War.
• Evaluate the importance of religion and economic factors as causes of either the Indo–Pakistan wars (1947–1949; 1965; 1971) or the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970).
• Examine the reasons for, and the consequences of, the war between Iran and Iraq (1980–1988).
• Examine the reasons for the establishment of democracy in Germany in 1919, and evaluate how effectively it dealt with the economic and political challenges it faced up to 1929.
• “The problems that arose from economic crises were the greatest challenge to democratic government in the first half of the 20th century.” With reference to two states, to what extent do you agree with this statement?
• Evaluate the reasons for, and methods used in, the post-war reconstruction of Japan between 1945 and 1952.
• Examine the extent to which South Africa was successful in addressing the political, social and economic challenges it faced between 1991 and 2000.
• Examine the methods used, and the level of success achieved, by two 20th century democratic states in their efforts to address gender inequality.
• Examine the methods used, and the level of success achieved, by one civil rights movement in a 20th century democratic state.
• Examine the importance of each of the following in the rise to power of either Stalin or Hitler: popular support for their aims; underestimation by opponents; economic conditions .
• Compare and contrast the economic and social policies of two of the following: Mao; Nasser; Castro.
• With reference to two authoritarian or single-party states, each chosen from a different region, evaluate the effectiveness of the methods used to deal with opposition.
• With reference to two authoritarian or single-party states, each chosen from a different region, evaluate the impact of domestic policies on the status of women.
• To what extent was Nyerere successful in achieving his domestic policy aims in Tanzania?
• “The use of force was the most important factor in the maintenance of power of the authoritarian or single-party leader.” With reference to two authoritarian or single-party leaders, to what extent do you agree with this statement?
• To what extent did decisions about post-war Germany contribute to the breakdown of East–West relations between 1945 and 1949?
• Evaluate the reasons for the adoption by the Soviet Union of peaceful coexistence and examine the impact of this policy on Cold War relations between 1956 and 1964.
• Evaluate the successes and failures of the policy of containment up to 1973 in either the Middle East or Asia.
• To what extent did the arms race influence the development of the Cold War after 1970?
• Compare and contrast the economic impact of the Cold War on two countries (excluding the USSR and the US), each chosen from a different region.
• To what extent were Reagan’s policies responsible for ending the Cold War?

(Time Zone 2)

November 2015 Topic 1 Causes, practices and effects of wars  

May 2016 (Time Zone 1)

Topic 5 The Cold War  

Specimen Paper 2017 Topic 1: Society and economy (750–1400) –

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

APA Sample Paper

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Note:  This page reflects the latest version of the APA Publication Manual (i.e., APA 7), which released in October 2019. The equivalent resource for the older APA 6 style  can be found here .

Media Files: APA Sample Student Paper  ,  APA Sample Professional Paper

This resource is enhanced by Acrobat PDF files. Download the free Acrobat Reader

Note: The APA Publication Manual, 7 th Edition specifies different formatting conventions for student  and  professional  papers (i.e., papers written for credit in a course and papers intended for scholarly publication). These differences mostly extend to the title page and running head. Crucially, citation practices do not differ between the two styles of paper.

However, for your convenience, we have provided two versions of our APA 7 sample paper below: one in  student style and one in  professional  style.

Note: For accessibility purposes, we have used "Track Changes" to make comments along the margins of these samples. Those authored by [AF] denote explanations of formatting and [AWC] denote directions for writing and citing in APA 7. 

APA 7 Student Paper:

Apa 7 professional paper:.

Sample Essays

The breadth of Georgetown’s core curriculum means that students are required to write for a wide variety of academic disciplines. Below, we provide some student samples that exhibit the key features the most popular genres. When reading through these essays, we recommend paying attention to their 

1. Structure (How many paragraphs are there? Does the author use headers?) 

2. Argument (Is the author pointing out a problem, and/or proposing a solution?) 

3. Content (Does the argument principally rely on facts, theory, or logic?) and 

4. Style (Does the writer use first person? What is the relationship with the audience?)

Philosophy Paper

• Singer on the Moral Status of Animals

Theology Paper

• Problem of God
• Jewish Civilization
• Sacred Space and Time
• Phenolphthalein in Alkaline Solution

History Paper

• World History

Literature Review

Comparative Analysis 

Policy Brief

• Vaccine Manufacturing

White Paper

Critical Analysis

• Ignatius Seminar

How to ace History Paper  2?

Welcome again to trying to succeed in History exams together. In the previous article , we went through Paper 1 and now it is time for History Paper 2.

History Paper 2 (30 marks)

Recent changes stated that the History Paper 2 exam will last only for 45 minutes and students will be required to write for only one question (For those who don’t know, it used to be 90 minutes for two questions.) Questions are formulated in a way that you need to evaluate two separate historical backgrounds in the same context. Here are some examples from the last exam:

• Evaluate the impact of population change on two societies , each from a different region.
• “The most important causes of wars in the period 750–1500 were political.” With reference to two wars , to what extent do you agree with this statement?

The command term in the instruction is important since it gives a hint about how the student should proceed with their argumentation.:

• Compare and Contrast : State differences and similarities in relation to a particular aspect or event.
• Discuss : Make arguments with examples.
• Evaluate : Weigh strengths and limitations. In this question, it is often asks if an event is a success or a failure. 
• Examine : Consider an argument or conjecture and make a judgment with verification of validity.
• To what extent : Often this refers to a quote or statement where you would have to agree or disagree with something.

We already discussed how we formulate a mini-essay for Paper 1, Paper 2 is also quite similar to that. My teacher says that it would be great if we can write 1000 words for the essay—but let’s face reality I’ll call myself lucky if I can write 800 meaningful words in 45 minutes.

Introduction

For introduction I use the method BOLT:

B – Background information to specify which historical context you’ll be talking about O – Opposing view to determine the counterarguments to your thesis L – List of evidence to specify the historical examples  T – Thesis

Here is an example text with the method:

“Economic aspects contributed to the rise of the Nazis from 1919 to 1934 and the rise of Communist China from 1921 to 1949 . Other factors that can be considered are the use of force by the Nazis and Communist Party of China and the personal abilities of the leaders , Adolf Hitler and Mao Zedong . Finally, economic factors contributed to a greater extent to the emergence of both states, as the previous economic weakness led the population to support the Nazis and the Chinese Communist Party .”

Body Paragraphs

In this part, you need to present opposing arguments and prove each of them in separate paragraphs. I usually try to write two supporting paragraphs with my thesis and one opposing. It is important that in the end, you prove the approach you claimed in the thesis. Rebut the counter-argument with examples and remember to stick to the question as you do so. PEEL method is a classic but efficient method for this:

P – Point: the first sentence that presents your argument E – Evidence: support your argument with facts E – Explain: analyze your evidence and explain how it supports the argument L – Link: connect the argument with the question

The conclusion is also the same with Paper 1, and these phrases can help you:

• In summary, it can be said that….
• The arguments presented justify the statement that….
• To return to the question…

My advice to you is to find past paper questions and try to write as many as you can in 45 minutes. Timing yourself is important to prepare for the exam and with every try, you’ll notice you are able to write more words than the previous one. If your teacher is available try to show these writings to them as well, a little critique does more use than harm. Hope this helps you, good luck to everyone who has to read this because their exam is coming up!

You may also like…

• Cynthia’s overview for History IA .
• Priyasha’s tips for Global Politics EE .

Share this:

Leave a reply cancel reply, discover more from iblieve.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

KCET 2024 Question Paper (Out): Download Question Paper PDF with Solutions, Previous Year Papers (2004 - 2023)

• Question Paper 2023

Zollege Team

Content Curator | Updated On - Apr 19, 2024

• 19 April, 2024 : KCET 2024 Question Paper PDF is Available. Download Here.

KEA has conducted KCET 2024 exams on April 18 and April 19, 2024. It is conducted in two shifts: Shift 1 from 10.30 AM to 11.50 AM and Shift 2 from 2.30 AM to 3.50 PM . It is an offline, OMR-based test where you must answer 60 questions in each paper within 80 minutes . KCET question paper is divided into 4 papers: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics . We, at Zollege, have added the KCET 2024 question paper PDF here for each subject after every shift. You can download the KCET question papers for free.

The exam authority also releases the official KCET question paper on the official website. We will update the same here once it is available. Our experts suggest that practicing KCET previous year question papers will help you to know the overall difficulty level, exam pattern, important topics, and more.

KCET 2024 Question Paper with Solutions

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

Ask your question

KCET 2024 Paper Analysis is Available to Download. Check Here.

JIPMAT 2024 Registration Open till April 21, Exam on June 6, 2024

AIFSET 2024 Registration for Phase 8 is Open till May 11. Check Here.

GAHET 2024 Registration for Phase 8 is Open till May 11. Check Here.

M.Phil/Ph.D in Pharmacy

B.Sc (Agriculture)

Siddaganga Institute of Technology - [SIT]

The National Institute of Engineering - [NIE]

Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering - [SJCE]

Don Bosco Institute of Technology - [DBIT]

The Oxford College of Engineering

KCET Overview

KCET Exam Centre

KCET Cutoff

• Phone: +91 8466016171
• Whatsapp: +91 8208375580
• Email: contact@leapscholar.com

IELTS Writing Task 2: Most popular 50+ Essay Topics of 2024

• Updated On April 24, 2024
• Published In IELTS Preparation 💻

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) writing section is a 1-hour test that comprises two questions: task 1 and task 2, which assess your vocabulary, grammar, word count, collocations, and ability to construct complex sentences with moderation and without repetition. 

Table of Contents

To begin, it is pivotal to understand that the IELTS essay topics vary for IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training Tasks. In Task 1 of IELTS Academic, you must write a report on a graph, diagram or chart, whereas, for IELTS General Training Task 1, you must write a letter. Task 2 of the General and Academic modules is essay writing; while the topics for essays in both modules may differ, the essay writing strategy remains the same. 

Examiners use the following criteria to calculate Academic IELTS Writing Task 1 and Task 2 scores: Task Achievement, Task Response, Coherence, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Lexical Resource.

IELTS Writing Task 2 for Academic

The IELTS Academic Writing section consists of two tasks that must be completed in one hour: 

Writing Task 1

In Task 1, you are assigned a graph, visual information, table or chart, which you are required to describe in your own words. You must write a report in 150 words, accurately describing what the information in the graph or picture represents. The IELTS writing task 1 marking criteria accounts for 33% of the total IELTS writing evaluation score, and you should try to finish this part in 20 minutes or less because IELTS writing task 2 is more difficult and will take at least 40 minutes to complete.

Crack IELTS Exam in first attempt

Attend Leap’s free masterclass to get tips, tricks and advance strategies to crack IELTS exam in first attempt

Writing Task 2

 IELTS writing task 2 marking criteria has a 66% weightage, where you must complete a 250-word essay in 40 minutes. Candidates must respond to a problem, a point of view, or an argument in this task, with a curated response. The essay’s content should be written with perfect grammar and focused solely on the topic. As task 2 holds more weight, candidates should devote significant time to it and ensure a properly curated essay for a good band score. 

Let us now review some fundamentals of IELTS essay structure that you can apply to this task. A typical writing piece includes an introduction, the main body consisting of a few paragraphs, and a conclusion. In the introduction, you should write the context of your issue and a thesis statement representing the main idea of your text.

The central section of your essay will discuss various facts and arguments that support or oppose the thesis statement. Finally, restate the thesis statement, bolstering it with new details from the main body. 

Here’s a list of the latest IELTS essay topics and sample questions to help you efficiently prepare for task 2 of the IELTS Writing section.

Latest IELTS Essay Topics for 202 4

IELTS essay writing topics are usually based on current events and world affairs. You will find a series of essay writing topics for IELTS in the following listicles. Also, one of the most effective ways to prepare for answering essays in the Writing section of IELTS is to work on the sample essay questions. The topic categories and essay writing samples to help students looking for the latest IELTS essay topics are stated below:

Environment

• Environmental Crisis: One of the most common topics in IELTS is the environment essay IELTS band 9. Many students, however, do not see the need to prepare for this because it is one of the most specific topics resulting in a loss of marks. 

Click here for the Environmental Crisis essay sample and answers for practice.

• Global Warming: It is common for IELTS speaking and writing sections to include questions about broad discussion topics, such as climate change, the greenhouse effect, global warming, and deforestation.

Click here for the Global Warming essay format, sample and answers for practice.

• Sustainable Energy: If you are unfamiliar with the framework and concepts of an essay, it can be a daunting task. All of the sentences must be related and formed in such a way that they provide a clear view and information. You may be penalised if you veer off-topic while writing your essay. Sustainable energy and nuclear power topics are debated topics; hence practising them will give you an edge over your peers. 

Click here for the Sustainable Energy essay structure, sample and answers for practice.

• Fossil Fuels: The IELTS essay topics for writing task 2 are usually based on common themes frequently discussed in the average aspirant’s daily life. One such theme is the use of renewable energy sources in place of nonrenewable resources such as fossil fuels.

Click here for the Fossil Fuels essay sample and answers for practice.

Personality

• Importance of First Impression:  IELTS examiners have a short attention span and read hundreds of essays daily. Hence, it is pivotal for you to get the start right and make a good first impression in your First Impression is Important IELTS essay.

Click here for the Personality essay sample and answers for practice.

• Hobbies: ‘Hobbies’ is a common theme in both the IELTS Writing Task 2 and the Speaking section. This is a simple, mark-fetching topic with few challenges for students taking the exam.

Click here for the Hobbies essay sample and answers for practice.

• Fashion: Fashion is a recurring topic with global themes and one of the best topics to practise your public speaking skills.

Click here for the Fashion essay sample and answers for practice.

• Importance of Leisure Activities and School Values: The IELTS Essay on Education is one of the most challenging tasks, with unpredictable questions in the exam. These education essay topics, like the Importance of leisure activities, are opinion-driven and assess students’ ability to express their knowledge and skills thoughtfully.

Click here for the Education essay sample and answers for practice.

• Government and Society: As an IELTS exam candidate, you should review as many common topics for Writing Task 2 as possible. One such common IELTS test theme is government and society, with which you should be well-acquainted. 

Click here for the Government and Society essay sample and answers for practice.

• Ideal Society: Candidates should practise sample questions and answers for the Ideal Society IELTS essay to gain a firm grasp on writing and vocabulary and improve their overall band score.

Click here for the Ideal Society essay sample and answers for practice.

• Social Media: Social media essays are a popular topic in IELTS writing task 2. For a social media IELTS essay band 9 and similar topics, the most straightforward approach is maintaining the proper word count and being aware of various approaches to the topic.

Click here for the Social Media essay sample and answers for practice.

Business & Global Consumerism

• International Trade: Over the years, one of the topics covered in the IELTS exam has been global business. Your answer for such topics should contain everything; your responses, solutions, arguments, reasons, opinions, and evidence are critical to answering the question.

Click here for the International Trade essay sample and answers for practice.

• Management and Leadership: In any organisation, leadership and management are critical roles. Your essay for such topics should always be pertinent to the question.

Click here for the Management and Leadership essay sample and answers for practice.

• Foreign Languages: Foreign languages and language barriers are recurring themes in the IELTS writing task 2. Express your own opinions on such topics. 

Click here for the Culture essay sample and answers for practice.

• Sports and children: Sport is a recurring theme, and the essay content should not deviate from the main points at any point in the essay.

Click here for the Sports essay sample and answers for practice. Covid 19

• Covid impact: The topics of IELTS Writing task 2 are usually drawn from current events worldwide, making Covid-19 an anticipated topic. 

Click here for the Covid 19 essay sample and answers for practice.

• Obesity: Overweight essays are among the most common topics in IELTS writing task 2. Obesity, recent trends in health among children and adults, and other similar topics may also be discussed in relation to overweight.

Click here for the Health essay sample and answers for practice.

Types of IELTS Essays

IELTS essay writing topics are usually classified under various sections. You can expect essays in the IELTS exam from any of the following types:

Opinion Essays 

In this essay category, you must discuss your opinion on the given topic. Naturally, the best way to score high in such essays is to have prior knowledge of common topics that are popular in the IELTS exam. 

Sample Questions:

• Most teenagers today own a smartphone. Provide your opinion to discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
• Crime novels and TV series have become quite popular in recent years. What is your opinion about these crime dramas?
• Developing nations often require international assistance. Many believe that this assistance should be monetary, while some think practical help and advice would be more beneficial. Discuss both these views along with your opinion.
• Many consider automobiles to be the biggest source of pollution in urban areas, while some believe industries are responsible for it. Explain both views and provide your opinion.
• Many people believe individuals involved with creative arts should be financially supported by the government. Some others believe they should find separate resources. Discuss each of the views and give your opinion.
• Some believe success in life comes from hard work, dedication, and motivation. While many believe success depends on other important factors like money and appearance. Discuss both views and provide your opinion. 
• Many think that governments should fund programs in search of life on other planets. However, others believe governments should focus on unresolved issues on the planet. Provide your opinion and discuss both views.

You can also check out this detailed guide on Opinion Essays to learn the appropriate structure for maximum scores!

Discussion Essays

In the case of discussion essays, the candidates need to put forward an explanation for or against any given topic. Such essays are the most common to appear in the IELTS exam. 

Sample Questions: 

• Many believe living in big cities comes with more advantages than residing in the countryside. Do you agree or disagree with this?
• The shopping habits of people depend more on their age group than on any other factors. Do you agree or disagree with this? 
• More and more children and minors are becoming overweight in developed nations. This is a major problem for most wealthy countries. Explain the causes and impacts of this issue.
• The internet is a great invention that brings a host of advantages for the world population. However, there are several issues in terms of security and control of personal data. Do you agree or disagree with this?
• Advertising prevents originality in people and makes them look the same and do the same. Do you agree or disagree with this?
• Parents today often tend to organise extra classes on weekends or even after school. Do you believe this is at all useful? Or do you think the education provided in school is sufficient?
• Some people believe that capital punishment should be done away with. Do you agree or disagree with this?

We have covered valuable tips & tricks to attempt Discussion Essays that can come in handy in your exam.

Solution Essays

For solution essays, you will have to provide a solution to a particular issue. At times, questions might be provided as to why a specific issue has occurred, and candidates have to provide their opinion on the answer.

• The massive movement of people from agricultural areas to cities in search of employment can lead to serious problems in both places. What are the problems, and how can these be solved? 

Check out our sample question and answer on Solution Essays for a more thorough explanation.

Advantage or Disadvantage Essays

In this type of essay, students have to write about a particular topic’s positive and negative sides. Such essays test your argument construction skills and how well you can use English to communicate your views as clearly and coherently as possible. 

• International tourism has greatly benefited many places. However, there have been major concerns about its impact on the local environment and inhabitants. Do the negative impacts of international tourism outweigh the benefits?
• Some countries have recently passed laws to restrict the daily working hours of employees. Explain whether this will have a positive or negative impact.
• More and more people today are visiting extreme places such as Antarctica or the Sahara desert. What are the advantages or disadvantages of such travels?
• Social media is gradually replacing in-person face-to-face contact with many people worldwide. Do the benefits of social media outweigh the disadvantages? 

Use the sample questions from the Advantage/Disadvantage Essay type to practise your writing skills.

Direct Question Essays

For this type of essay, the topics will be provided as direct questions, which students have to answer based on their experiences and thoughts.

• Shopping used to be a routine domestic task in the past. However, today, it has become more of a hobby. Is this a positive trend?
• You can get more information on these rare essay-type questions on our  Direct question essay structure blog.

Preparation Tips for IELTS Writing Task 2

Many students believe they don’t need to prepare much because they speak English reasonably well. Well, the IELTS exam is not that easy. In fact, even native English speakers may find the test difficult. As a result, candidates should prepare for this section rigorously and methodically and start early preparation.

• Begin your IELTS preparations at least 6 months before your intended test date, and ensure to devote some time daily to all 4 sections.
• Choose writing topics for both tasks, especially writing task 2, and try to write about them daily. Time yourself; remember that you must complete both tasks in one hour.
•  Spend significant time learning new vocabulary and brushing up on your grammatical skills. Following that is structured thinking, allowing you to convey your ideas logically. While writing, pay close attention to lucidity, logic, and clarity.
• You should expand your ideas because the IELTS writing task 2 could cover any topic. Go through all the resources like magazines, books, and online materials to expand your knowledge and vocabulary. Additionally, practice as many mock tests as possible. 

As mentioned above it’s only practice that can get you the desire scores. But along with it you also need the best preparation materials and guidance. And the best solution we suggest is to register for the LeapScholar IELTS courses . Along with live classes from the best IELTS tutors, you’ll also have access to mock tests, speaking and writing evaluations and comprehensive study materials. As a reward you’ll also receive a course completion certificate.

How to Answer Task 2 Essays in IELTS Writing Section?

Students can employ the following steps to successfully enhance their ability to answer essays in the Writing section:

Step 1: Read and Understand the Question

The first step to nailing task 2 essays is to read and understand the question carefully. Most of the time, candidates answer the question without understanding what it demands. Candidates should carefully analyse the question, identify the question type and try to identify the keywords. Finally, they should clearly understand the instructions and then attempt to answer.

Step 2: Plan the Answer

Once students have understood the question, they need to plan the structure of the answer. This will allow candidates to organise their ideas and produce a clear and coherent response. 

Step 3: Write a Solid Introduction

The introduction of the essay should give an idea of what the essay is all about. Make sure to write an appropriate introduction conveying the gist of the essay.

Step 4: Carefully Curate the Main Body

The main body is the essential part of the essay, where you must provide the necessary details. State your points accordingly and substantiate them with explanations, examples, and other relevant data. Once done, you need to give a proper conclusion.

Tips for IELTS Writing Task 2

Candidates can use the following tips to ace their IELTS Writing test:

Although IELTS is a difficult test to master, one can achieve a good score with systematic and consistent preparation. If you require assistance in acing your IELTS Writing Task 1 and 2, our Leap Scholar experts will provide the necessary guidance, tips, and tricks to help you pass your IELTS test with flying colours. If you are planning to prepare for the essay task in the Writing section, you can go through this comprehensive guide to get an idea about the latest IELTS essay topics. You can prepare for the essay task accordingly with the help of sample essay topics and questions provided in the above sections. 

Still unclear about some portions of IELTS, then enrol for IELTS professional coaching. IELTS Prep app by Leap Scholar is a one-stop solution for your study abroad dream. You can access specially crafted lessons by experts accredited by IDP, British Council, and Cambridge. About 1M + students have trusted us with their IELTS prep journey. Join us, download our IELTS prep app and get access to the best resources!

Frequently asked questions

How can you score well in ielts writing task 2.

Ans. IELTS Writing Task 2 mainly has four performance descriptors: Task Response, Cohesion & Coherence , Lexical Resource, and finally Grammatical range and accuracy. The scoring happens on four parameters, so follow these and prepare with the correct books and practice questions.

What are the most popular questions asked in IELTS Writing Task 2?

Ans. The different types of questions in IELTS Writing Task 2 include: Problem/ Causes questions, Opinion questions, Advantage/ Disadvantage questions, Discussion of views, etc.

What are the main themes on which IELTS Writing Task 2 questions are based on?

Ans. Some of the broad themes include Environment, Food, Health, Art, Business, Communication, Crime & Punishment and more. Ideas and topics are taken under these broad themes for question framing.

Is it necessary to use complex words in IELTS Writing section?

Ans. Having a good vocabulary is an added advantage. However, difficult words should not be forcefully put in sentences. Your sentences should be organic and should fit the meaning and the context of your essays.

 How to develop ideas for IELTS Writing Task 2 2024?

 Ans. The easiest ways to generate ideas for IELTS Writing Task 2 are by analyzing model essays, finding ideas on google, talking to experts, watching movies, asking yourself some questions about the topic, generating main ideas from specific examples.

How many mistakes are acceptable in IELTS Writing Task 2?

Ans. Making one or two mistakes is overlooked by the examiner if the overall essay is good. However, making more mistakes than that can lead to lower IELTS band score.

What are the basic topics in IELTS writing task 2?

Some of the common IELTS topics for Writing Task 2 are  Art, Environment, Education, Health, Jobs and Employment, Sport, Science and Technology Friends and Family, Government and Society etc.

Know more about IELTS

Get free speaking practice samples.

• Describe a Skill That you can teach other people
• Describe a Place you Visited Where the Air was Polluted
• Describe a Famous Person that you are Interested in
• Describe a Course That You Want to Learn
• Describe a Person who Solved a Problem in Smart Way
• Describe a Prize That You Received
• Describe a Volunteering Experience You Have Had
• Describe a Piece of Good News
• Describe Something you Taught to Your Friend
• Talk About an Interesting Old Person you Met Recently
• Describe a Dinner you Really Enjoyed
• Describe a Story or Novel That Was Interesting to You
• Describe a Time When you Shared Something with Others
• Describe a Toy you Liked in Childhood
• Describe an Interesting Neighbour
• Describe a Competition You Would Like to Take Part In
• Describe an interesting activity that you remember enjoying most in your Primary School
• Describe Your Childhood Friend
• Describe an Object You Find Particularly Beautiful
• Describe a Place Where you are Able to Relax
• Describe a person you know who likes to talk a lot
• Describe a place where you would like to go to relax
• Describe a period when you were busy
• Describe a long-term goal you would like to achieve
• Describe a situation when you helped someone
• Describe a job you would not like to do in the future
• Describe a time when you used a map
• Describe a skill that you learned in your childhood
• Describe an unusual holiday you had
• Describe an exciting activity that you experienced with someone else
• Describe a person who is good at making people feel welcome in his/her home
• Describe A Time You Successfully Did Something Difficult
• Describe Something in Your Country That You Are Interested In
• Describe a Beautiful City
• Describe something you do regularly that helps you work and study better
• Describe a photo that you took and are proud of
• Describe a party that you enjoyed
• Describe a useful object in your home that you can’t live without
• Describe a good advertisement that you think is useful
• Describe an occasion when someone or something made noise
• Describe a sportsperson that you admire
• Describe something that you picked up that was thrown by someone else
• Describe a time that something changed your life in good ways
• Describe a successful person who you once studied or worked with

Get Free Reading Practice Samples

• William henry perkin reading answers
• Why zoos are good reading answers
• Bioluminescence reading answers
• Classifying societies reading answers
• Artificial artists reading answers
• Jargon reading answers
• The Origins of Laughter Reading Answers
• The Innovation of Grocery Stores Reading Answers
• All About the Otter Reading Answers
• The Triune Brain Reading Answers
• Saving the Soil Reading Answers
• Trans Fatty Acids Reading Answers
• A Disaster of Titanic Proportions Reading Answers
• Why Companies Should Welcome Disorder Reading Answers
• Book Review Reading Answers
• Tea Times Reading Answers
• Why are Finland's Schools Successful Reading Answers
• Intelligence and Giftedness Reading Answers
• Animal Minds Parrot Alex Reading Answers
• Crop Growing Skyscrapers Reading Answers
• Secrets of the Swarm Reading Answers
• Walking with Dinosaurs Reading Answers
• The Development of Travel Under the Ocean Reading Answers
• What's so Funny Reading Answers
• The Culture of Chimpanzee Reading Answers
• Clutter Bugs Beware Reading Answer
• Stepwells Reading Answers
• Glaciers Reading Answers

Get Free Writing Practice Samples

• Advantages and Disadvantages Essay with Sample Answers
• Agree and Disagree Essay with Sample Answers
• Problem Solution Essay Topic with Sample Answers
• Every year several languages die out
• Positive or Negative Development Essay with Sample Answers
• Honesty is the best policy essay
• Online shopping essay
• Environment essay topics
• Prevention is better than cure essay

Get Free Listening Practice Samples

• Family excursions listening answers
• Public library listening answers
• Hiring a public room listening answers
• Notes on social programme listening answers
• Accommodation request form listening answers
• Transport survey listening answers
• Mic house agency repairs listening answers
• Holiday rentals listening answer
• Job enquiry listening answers
• Homestay application listening answers
• Library information listening answers
• Free activities in the burnham area listening answers

IELTS Important Information

• IELTS Exam Date
• IELTS Exam Fee
• IELTS Modules
• IELTS Speaking Practice Test
• IELTS Writing Practice Test
• IELTS Reading Practice Test
• IELTS Listening Practice Test
• IELTS Test Centres
• IELTS Results
• Types of IELTS
• IELTS Pattern
• IELTS Exam Eligibilty
• IELTS Slot Booking
• IELTS Band Score
• IELTS Registration
• IELTS Books
• IELTS Preparation
• IELTS Practice Test
• IELTS Speaking Cue Card
• IELTS Speaking Part 1
• IELTS Writing Task 1
• IELTS Writing Task 2
• Task 1 Pie Chart
• Task 1 Table Chart
• Task 1 Bar Graph
• Task 1 Line Graph
• Task 1 Diagram
• IELTS Computer Based Test
• IELTS Paper Based Test
• IELTS One Skill Retake
• IELTS for UKVI
• IELTS Vocabulary

IELTS Test Centre and Dates in India

• IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Hyderabad
• IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Bangalore
• IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Chennai
• IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Amritsar
• IELTS Centre and Dates in Ludhiana
• IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Mumbai
• IELTS Test Centres and Dates in Ahmedabad
• IELTS Centre and Dates in Delhi
• IELTS Test Centres and Dates in Chandigarh
• IELTS Center and Dates in Pune

Manisha Angre

Experienced IELTS prep trainer and education management industry veteran. Specializes in public speaking, international education, market research, mentoring, and management.

Related Posts

A Guide on Most Common English Words Used in Daily Life

Top IELTS Tips and Tricks For Best IELTS Scores 2024

60+ IELTS Essay Topics 2024: IELTS Writing Task 2 Samples & Tips

Trending now.