how to write an essay task 2 ielts

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How to Write an IELTS Essay

In this introductory lesson you will find some guidance on how you should write an  IELTS essay .

There are then more lessons on the following pages for different types of essay and different questions, with lots of tips and strategies for achieving a high score. 

You can also watch a video of this lesson:

Essay Types

It is important to learn about IELTS essays because there are different essay types, and these will require different ways to answer them.

However, as you will see from the guidance on this page, they can all follow the same basic structure.

These are some of the types of IELTS essays you can get in the test: 

• Agree / disagree
• Discuss two opinions
• Advantages & disadvantages
• Causes (reasons) & solutions
• Causes (reasons) & effects
• Problems & solutions

Not every essay will fit one of these patterns, but many do.

You may get some of these tasks mixed up. For example, you could be asked to give your opinion on an issue, and then discuss the advantages or disadvantages of it.

The golden rule is to  ALWAYS read the question very carefully  to see exactly what you are being asked to do.

The second lesson explains more about analysing essay questions. 

How do I Write an IELTS Essay?

In order to answer this, lets first look at a sample question:

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

In the last 20 years there have been significant developments in the field of information technology (IT), for example the World Wide Web and communication by email. However, these developments in IT are likely to have more negative effects than positive in the future.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.

Write at least 250 words.

An IELTS essay is structured like any other essay; you just need to make it shorter. There are three key elements:

• Introduction
• Body Paragraphs

We will look at each of these in turn, using the essay question above as an example.

1) Introduction

You should keep your introduction for the IELTS essay short. Remember you only have 40 minutes to write the essay, and some of this time needs to be spent planning. Therefore, you need to be able to write your introduction fairly quickly so you can start writing your body paragraphs.

You should do just two things:

• State the topic of the essay, using some basic facts (that you may be able to take from the question)
• Say what you are going to write about

Here is an example introduction for the above essay question about IT:

The last two decades have seen enormous changes in the way people's lives are affected by IT, with many advances in this field. However, while these technological advances have brought many benefits to the world, I strongly believe that these developments in IT will result in more negative impacts than positive.

As you can see, the first sentence makes sure it refers to the topic (IT) and uses facts about IT taken from the question. Note that these are paraphrased - you must not copy from the rubric!

The second part then clearly sets out the what the essay will be about and confirms the writers opinion (some questions may not ask for your opinion, but this one does). The writer clearly agrees as he/she thinks there will be more negative impacts.

View this lesson for more advice on writing IELTS essay introductions.

2) Body Paragraphs

For an IELTS essay, you should have 2 or 3 body paragraphs - no more, and no less.

For your body paragraph, each paragraph should contain one controlling idea, and have sentences to support this.

Lets look at the first paragraph for the essay about IT. The essay is about the benefits and drawbacks of IT, so these will need to be discussed in separate paragraphs.

Here is the first body paragraph:

On the positive side, email has made communication, especially abroad, much simpler and faster. This has resulted in numerous benefits for commerce and business as there is no need to wait weeks for letters or take time sending faxes, which was the case in the past. Furthermore, the World Wide Web means that information on every conceivable subject is now available to us. For example, people can access news, medical advice, online education courses and much more via the internet.  These developments have made life far easier and more convenient for many.

The controlling idea in this first paragraph is the 'benefits of IT', and there are two supporting ideas, which are underlined. No drawbacks are discussed as the paragraph would then lose coherence.

Most of the essay will focus on the negative aspects of IT, as the writer says there are more negative effects in the introduction. So the next two paragraphs are about these.

The topic sentence in the next paragraph therefore tells us we are changing the focus to the negative points:

Nevertheless, the effects of this new technology have not all been beneficial. For example, many people feel that the widespread use of email is destroying traditional forms of communication such as letter writing, telephone and face-to-face conversation. This could result in a decline in people's basic ability to socialize and interact with each other on a day-to-day basis.

The final body paragraph gives the last negative effect:

In addition, the large size of the Web has meant that it is nearly impossible to regulate and control. This has led to many concerns regarding children accessing unsuitable websites and the spread of computer viruses. Unfortunately, this kind of problem might even get worse in the future at least until more regulated systems are set up.

3) Conclusion

The conclusion only needs to be one or two sentences, and you can do the following:

• Re-state what the essay is about (re-write the last sentence of your introduction in different words)
• Give some thoughts about the future

Here is an example:

In conclusion, developments in IT have brought many benefits, yet I believe that these are outweighed by the drawbacks. In the future these will need to be addressed if we are to avoid damaging impacts on individuals and society.

The Full IELTS Essay

The last two decades have seen enormous changes in the way people's lives are affected by IT, with many advances in this field. However, while these technological advances have brought many benefits to the world, I strongly believe that these developments in IT will result in more negative impacts than positive.

Nevertheless, the effects of this new technology have not all been beneficial. For example, many people feel that the widespread use of email is destroying traditional forms of communication such as letter writing, telephone and face-to-face conversation. This could result in a decline in people's basic ability to socialize and interact with each other on a day-to-day basis.

(290 Words)

The IELTS essay introduction talks in general about the increasing use of IT, thus introducing the topic well. The thesis then clearly sets out the writers opinion.

The following paragraph mentions the present benefits of these developments, but the opening sentence in the third paragraph is a qualifying statement (Nevertheless, not all the effects... ), so the writer can now focus on the negative elements.

The fourth paragraph provides two other negative examples (lack of regulation, viruses). Both paragraphs suggest that these problems will continue in the future.

The essay concludes with a clear opinion that agrees with the statement.

Overall, it is a well-balanced text that mentions the present situation ( ...this has made life.. .) but importantly, also refers to the future of IT (. ..likely to increase..., might get worse. ..).

Now you know the basics of writing an IELTS Essay, you can go on and look at further sample essays or if you prefer, check out the next lessons for Writing Task 2.

More Task 2 IELTS Lessons:

Improving Writing Coherence for IELTS essays

25% of the writing grade is on how you organise your essay so this lesson shows you how to improve your writing coherence.

Requirements for IELTS Band 7 in Writing

Getting to an IELTS Band 7 is a struggle for many candidates. This lesson explains exactly what you have to do to reach this band score.

IELTS Task Response - 25% of your essay grade

The IELTS Task Response criteria in the scoring makes up 25% of your band score for your essay.

Thesis Statement Tips for IELTS Essays

Your thesis statement in an IELTS essay should be written quickly and concisely. Use these tips to do that.

Using Pronouns to Improve IELTS Essay Coherency

Find out how to use pronouns to improve your coherency for IELTS task 2 essays.

Transitional Phrases for Essays

Learn transitional phrases for essays to get a band 7 or higher in your IELTS writing for coherence and cohesion.

IELTS Music Essay: Understanding a Complex Question

An IELTS essay about music is used to show you how to answer a more complex IELTS essay question that does not have a clear 'task' given to you.

Tips on How to Score IELTS Band 8 in Writing and Speaking

To score IELTS Band 8 you need to understand exactly what is in the IELTS Band Descriptors for an 8 for writing and speaking first.

The 3 Types of IELTS Opinion Essays in IELTS

IELTS opinion essays in IELTS can be placed into three types. This lesson explains the different types and how to analyse these essay questions.

IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Tips and Strategies

An advantage disadvantage essay is one type of essay that you may get in the test. This lesson shows how to write a pros cons essay.

Writing an IELTS Essay Introduction

Tips on how to write an introduction for an IELTS essay introduction in a quick and easy way.

How to Identify the Topic of an IELTS Essay Question

In IELTS you must identify the topic of your essay as this is a key to making sure your essay is on topic.

How to Identify the Task in an IELTS Essay

Learn how to identify the task in an IELTS task 2 essay question. This is one of the most important steps in responding to an essay question.

Writing an IELTS Essay Conclusion

The IELTS essay conclusion is the final part of your IELTS essay. This lesson guides you on how to write a conclusion quickly but effectively.

Paragraph Writing for IELTS: Building strong arguments

This paragraph writing lesson provides tips on constructing the best paragraphs for your IELTS essay.

Using Substitution in IELTS to Improve Writing Coherency

You can use substitution in your IELTS essays in order to improve coherency and coherence.

Generating ideas for IELTS essays for writing task 2

Generating ideas for IELTS essays for writing task 2 can be difficult but complex ideas are not expected.

How to use brainstorming and planning to generate essay ideas.

Brainstorming and planning is a key step in developing your IELTS essay. This lesson has tips on how to coming up with ideas and organising them.

Can you use Personal Pronouns in Essays for IELTS?

Learn how to use personal pronouns in essays for IELTS correctly. Can you use "I", "we" and "you"?

IELTS Problem Solution Essay Strategies and Tips

In IELTS problem solution essays you have to discuss a particular issue and present ideas to solve that problem.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: 8 steps towards a band 8

In IELTS Writing Task 2, you will need to write an essay. Let our IELTS Experts walk you through 8 steps that can help you get a band 8. Take a closer look at the assessment criteria, how to structure your essay and common mistakes to avoid.

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To achieve a band 8 in IELTS  Writing Task 2 , you will need to produce an essay that contains all the positive features contained in the band 8 writing assessment criteria. Let's take a look at these in the table below.  

Using the band descriptors as a guide we are going to go through the 8 steps to get you on your way to a band 8 in Writing Task 2.  

We will start with the task response before moving through all the criteria to show you what an examiner will be looking for in your response.

Step 1: Answer is relevant to the question

Answer what you have been asked in the question. Don’t produce an essay that is close to a topic you have previously prepared. Make sure your examples and ideas are relevant. If you generalise too much and are not specific enough this will affect how your ideas are presented to the examiner.  

Make sure your ideas are directly related to the question  

Use ideas and examples that you are familiar with, and that relate directly to the topic 

Extend your answer to include a number of ideas that will support the question.  

Don't: 

Include irrelevant information  

Over-generalise  

Produce a memorised essay  

Present ‘recent’ research or statistics related to the topic “At least 41% of all men…”

Step 2: Answer all parts of the question

You must read the question carefully and decide how many parts are in it. You must answer all parts of the question to reach a band 6 or higher.  

Let’s look at some example IELTS question prompts and see how many parts are in each, if you need to present your opinion. Remember, it is very important to present a clear position when answering the statement to show that you understand the question being asked and to keep that position clear throughout the essay.

Read the question carefully and decide how many parts are in it 

Present your opinion and support it throughout the whole essay 

If asked to present both views, make sure each view is presented equally (similar paragraph length) 

Watch for plurals. If you are asked to give ‘advantages’, you must present a minimum of 2  

Watch for ‘and’. You may need to comment on more than one element  

Write more than 250 words.  

Don’t: 

Ignore parts of the question  

Assume that your opinion is clear, use the first person to ensure the examiner knows it’s your opinion ‘I think’  

Tell the examiner what you are going to say and what you have said  

Produce a short essay. 

Step 3: Organise your essay logically, with clear progression using linking phrases

Ideas must be expressed and ordered clearly - starting with an introduction and moving through to a conclusion. 

If you are asked to present both views and your opinion, state your opinion at the beginning of the essay and then move on to present both views. You can then come back to your own opinion and then conclude the essay. This is a logical way to present these ideas.  

Use a range of linking words and phrases, but don’t overuse them 

Use adverbial phrases, rather than single basic linkers 

Use referencing and substitution to avoid repetition (this/them/the issue/the problem)  

Use punctuation to make your writing coherent  

Make sure your ideas are sequenced correctly  

Make sure your ideas are logical and easy to follow  

Use a separate paragraph for the introduction and the conclusion   

Use one paragraph for each idea or topic area. 

Overuse basic linking words like firstly (instead, try using ‘The first reason for/ The primary reason for this’)  

Start every sentence with a linker (Try to put it in the middle of a sentence. E.g. “Some people believe, however, that individuals must also take responsibility for the environment” or “I believe, on the other hand, that individuals do have a responsibility to…”)  

Use numbers, symbols or abbreviations (1, 2, etc, &, +)  

Use headings or subheadings  

Underline words or phrases 

Use one-sentence paragraphs  

Start every sentence with a linking device. 

Step 4: Organise your essays into paragraphs

Use paragraphs to organise your essay into clear parts. Make sure each paragraph contains a clear and developed topic with a minimum of two sentences.  

You can use the acronym “PEEL” when writing your essay:  

Point – introduce your topic or topic sentence 

Example – an example that supports your point 

Explain – why this evidence supports your point 

Link – transition to the next topic or paragraph 

You must use enough paragraphs to clearly show a structured response. This will show that you can organise and present your thoughts and ideas logically.  

Here are some ideas on how many paragraphs you could include in an essay: 

Use paragraphs 

Use linkers between and within your paragraphs 

Leave a space between each paragraph (a line)  

Use a paragraph for each topic  

Use an introduction and a conclusion. 

Don't 

Use single-sentence paragraphs 

Use very long paragraphs that cover a whole page (IELTS on paper)

Step 5: Use less common vocabulary and spell it correctly

You will see in the band descriptors that a band 8 writer skillfully uses uncommon lexical items. When we learn a language, we use common and uncommon terms.  Common terms  are words and phrases we use every day to refer to personal experience and daily habits.  Uncommon terms  are used when we discuss specific topics or when we use idiomatic language (phrasal verbs).  

Words that are old-fashioned and not used in everyday speech should not be used. If you choose a synonym, the meaning must be the same and must not alter the idea being presented. For example, adolescent/teenager have close meaning and can be used interchangeably, however, toddler/baby have quite different meanings. 

Collocation is also mentioned in band 8, and it is assumed that you know which words go together, and which words are suitable to use for different topics.  

If you are discussing child crime, you could use the term ‘minor’ as this is a legal term used to describe children under the age of 18.  

If you use phrasal verbs, make sure that you are using the correct preposition as it can change the meaning:  

throw  out/away = discard  

throw up  = vomit/get sick  

Idioms (cultural language) should only be used if you understand them completely and if they fit the topic you are discussing.  

Use precise word choices  

Use language that we use in everyday speech  

Use words that you understand  

Use words and phrases that are related to the topic  

Use collocation and phrasal verbs (words that go together naturally – environmental pollution | major issue | promising future) 

Make spelling mistakes  

Make typos  

Mix up American and British spelling (You should use one or the other)  

Use a word if you don’t understand it or cannot spell it.  

Use imprecise words like ‘stuff/thing’  

Use slang like ‘gonna’  

Use old-fashioned language [the masses| denizens | myopic view | Hitherto]  

Overuse synonyms, one is enough 

Use idioms/clichés  

Use contractions (can’t, doesn’t)

Step 6: Don’t use memorised language, phrases or examples

Don’t use any memorised language, phrases or examples throughout your essay. They are easy for examiners to spot and don’t demonstrate your ability to write fluently.  

Overused phrases, idioms, proverbs and clichés should also be avoided, again, they are often used when speaking. These include phrases like:  

The grass is always greener on the other side  

Love is blind  

Off the top of my head  

Old is gold  

A friend in need is a friend indeed  

Additionally, the following terms should not be used when writing as they are vague and do not address a task appropriately. You should always be using clear language and make appropriate word choices that will express your ideas clearly. 

Step 7: Use a variety of complex sentence structures

At band 8 it is expected that you can use a wide range of structures accurately to present your ideas and opinion. Show the examiner that you can use a wide range of structures and make sure your sentences are error-free. 

It is important to use a mix of complex and simple sentences. But remember, your complex sentences should not be long and complicated.  

Your punctuation needs to be accurate, using capitalisation, commas and full stops correctly.  

The most common errors made can be found below:

Step 8: Checklist

Use the following checklist to make sure that your writing contains all the positive features at a band 8

If you follow these 8 steps, you will be well on your way to a band 8 in Writing Task 2. 

Is IELTS writing hard?

IELTS writing is not so hard if you have a thorough understanding of the test format and are able to organise your thoughts into grammatically-correct, well-structured sentences. Obviously it requires a fair amount of practice. To make it easy, IDP has launched IELTS Prepare where you can access a range of preparation materials: from practice tests, sample answers, videos and articles, all the way to expert assessments, online courses, webinars and more.

IELTS writing for beginners

Join our free IDP IELTS webinars that are designed to give you a sense of what to expect during the IELTS Writing test and guide you towards reaching a high band score:

Improve your understanding of the writing test format and questions

Identify key points

Make your answers relevant

Organize your answers in a more coherent manner

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• Academic practice
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• Task 1 Academic
• Task 1 General
• Task 2 (essay)

Essay samples with tips and answers

Sample 1 ("Violence in media") Presenting opinion

Sample 2 ("Working students") Suggesting a solution

Sample 3 ("Death penalty") Pros & cons

Sample 4 ("Loss of bio-diversity") Cause/solution

Sample 5 ("Obesity") Causes and effects

Sample 6 ("Salary vs. job satisfaction") Agree/disagree

Sample 7 ("Sedentary lifestyle") Problem/solution

More IELTS Writing task 2 questions >

IELTS Writing task 2 - Essay

Here you can find all the essential information about IELTS Writing essay .

IELTS Writing task 2 (or IELTS essay ) is the same task for Academic and General IELTS . You will be presented with a specific topic and asked to write an 250-word essay about it. You should normally spend 40 minutes on IELTS Writing task 2.

On this page you will see :

IELTS Writing task 2 question sample

• Types of IELTS essay questions
• How to answer these questions
• More IELTS Writing task 2 questions and answers

You can get a lot of different topics for your IELTS Writing task 2. You can be asked to give your opinion, to state solutions to some problem, to describe advantages and disadvantages of something and so on.

Here's an example of how your IELTS Writing task 2 may look like :

Immigration has a major impact on the society.

What are the main reasons of immigration? To what consequences can it lead?

Write at least 250 words.

You can find the band-9 answer here >

More IELTS Writing task 2 questions & topics >

How to write IELTS Essay?

1) Determine your opinion on the topic

• Giving your opinion
• Agree/disagree
• Suggesting a solution
• Pros and cons

Depending on the topic, decide what is your opinion on it and why. Have a clear position, don't hesitate between two opinions! Then find examples you will use for this task. You should spend a few minutes on planning.

2) Write an answer using the following structure:

Note that this description is very general. To learn more specific answering strategies, look at the different question types .

3) Style your essay

Use various words and structures , linking devices and avoid repetition.

Use some words from academic word list .

Do not use informal style and avoid irrelevant information, you will receive less points for your work.

Also, don't forget to write at least 250 words, writing less will affect your mark negatively. You should aim at 260-280 words. You won’t get more points for a longer essay.

Other things that might affect your mark:

• Fluency : if your handwriting is not illegible for the examiner and he/she can’t read it properly, you are likely to lose points.
• Unoriginal answer : if you learnt a topic by heart and wrote it, you might get a low score for your essay. IELTS examiner assesses only your own thoughts and opinions.
• Limited answer : if you only answer half of the question and don’t expand your opinion, you will not get more than a band score 5 for the task.
• Information about IELTS Writing test
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IELTS Task 2 Essays Understand the 5 Different Types

There are 5 main types of IELTS Task 2 essays:

1)    Opinion Essays  

2)    Discussion Essays

3)    Problem Solution Essays

4)    Advantages & Disadvantages Essays

5)    Double Question Essays

Most questions fit one of these categories. However, questions can be written in many different ways, which can make it difficult to determine which type they are.

On this page, I want to give you an overview of all 5 IELTS Task 2 essay types, with samples questions to help you recognise some of the different wording often used. I’ve also included a basic structure for each that you can use to as a guide for essay planning, a vital step in the writing process.

I go into each type of question in more detail on its own page.  Click the links above or at the bottom of this page to see these. 

First, here’s the basic 4 part structure I recommend that you use for Task 2 essays:

1)  Introduction

2)  Main Body Paragraph 1 

3)  Main Body Paragraph 2 

4)  Conclusion

Want  to watch and listen to this lesson?

Click on this video.

The sort of information you include in each of the 4 sections will vary depending on the question type and that’s what I’m now going to outline for you.

These easy to learn structures will enable you to quickly plan and write any IELTS Task 2 essay.

The structures below are not the only ones you could use but they are the ones I recommend because they’re simple and give proven results.

1) Opinion Essays

These are sometimes called ‘agree or disagree’ or ‘argumentative’ essays and are one of the most common types of IELTS Task 2 question.

The first part of the question will be a statement. You will then be asked to give your own opinion about the statement. Here is some typical wording that might be used:

• What is your opinion?
• Do you agree or disagree?
• To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Here is an example of each:

• Choose one side of the argument.
• State your opinion clearly in the introduction.
• Keep the same opinion throughout the essay.
• Give reasons why you hold this view.

It doesn’t matter which side of the argument you take or even that you agree with it. Choose the one you can develop the best argument for.

Don’t change your opinion part way through the essay and don’t give reasons for the opposing idea.

Essay Structure

1) Introduction

• Paraphrase the question
• Give your opinion
• State two supporting reasons

2) Main body paragraph 1

• Topic sentence – outline 1st reason for supporting this view
• Explanation – explain this idea
• Example – give an example

3)  Main body paragraph 2

• Topic sentence – outline 2nd reason for supporting this view
• Summarise opinion and key reasons

2) Discussion Essays

In discussion essays, you have to discuss both sides of an argument. Usually, you will be asked for your own opinion as well.

The easiest way to approach this type of IELTS Task 2 question is to choose one point of view to agree with and one side to disagree with.

Here are 3 examples of discussion essay questions:

• Develop both sides of the argument.
• Talk about the view you don’t agree with first.

A big mistake many students make is to fully develop only one point of view. This leads to an unbalanced essay and a low score for task achievement. 

It is easier to begin by discussing the opinion you don’t agree with and then present the reasons for your opposing view.

2)  Main body paragraph 1 – Negative Viewpoint

• Topic sentence – outline the view you don’t agree with
• Explanation – explain why this view is held by some people

3)  Main body paragraph 2 – Positive Viewpoint

• Topic sentence – outline the view you do agree with
• Summarise the key points and state your opinion

3)  Problem Essays  

These are sometimes called ‘causes and solutions’ or ‘problems and solutions’ essays. This type of IELTS Task 2 question starts with a statement, then asks you to discuss the problems or causes and the solutions.

• Don’t list lots of causes and solutions.
• Choose just one or two and develop them fully.
• Be sure to link each problem/cause and its solution.

A common mistake is for candidates to list all the problems/causes and solutions they can think of, not necessarily linking them together.  They also fail to explain any of them in detail and don’t include any examples.

The wording of this type of essay question can vary considerably.  Here are 3 examples of problem essay questions:

• State 1 key problem/cause and related solution

2)  Main body paragraph 1 – Problem or Cause

• Topic sentence – state the problem or cause
• Explanation – give detail explaining the problem or cause

3)  Main body paragraph 2 – Solution

• Topic sentence – state the solution
• Explanation – give detail explaining the solution

4)  Advantages & Disadvantages Essays

The first part of the question will be a statement. You will be asked to write about both the advantages and disadvantages of the idea stated.

Here is some typical wording that might be used:

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of….?
• Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your opinion.

Here are 3 examples of advantages and disadvantages essay questions:

Each of these different types of questions fits into one of two slightly different essay structures. We’ll look at these in detail on the main IELTS Task 2 Advantages & Disadvantages Essays page. For now, I’ll give you the basic structure.

• Outline the view or views stated the statement

2)  Main body paragraph 1 – Advantage

• Topic sentence – state 1 advantage
• Explanation – give detail explaining the advantage
• Result – state the result

3)  Main body paragraph 2 – Disadvantage

• Topic sentence – state 1 disadvantage
• Explanation – give detail explaining the disadvantage
• Summarise the key points
• State your opinion if required

5)  Double Question Essays

This type of IELTS Task 2 question is sometimes called a ‘direct question’ or ‘two questions’ essay. It has one statement with two different questions after it. The questions may or may not be linked.

• You must answer both questions fully.
• Don’t confuse it with an opinion or a discussion essay.
• Be careful that you don’t end up with too many ideas to write about.

Here are 3 examples of double question essay questions:

• Outline sentence – state your answer to both questions

2)  Main body paragraph 1 – Answer question 1

• Topic sentence – state your answer
• Explanation – explain why you think this

3)  Main body paragraph 2 – Answer question 2

• Summarise both questions and answers

I hope you’ve found this information useful. You can learn lots more about writing the 5 different types of IELTS Task 2 essay and see sample answers on these pages:

The 5 Task 2 Essay Types:

Step-by-step instructions on how to plan & write high-level essays. Model answers & common mistakes to avoid.

   Opinion Essays

   Discussion Essays

  Problem Solution Essays

  Advantages & Disadvantages Essays

  Double Question Essays

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More help with ielts task 2.

IELTS Writing Task 2  – T he format, the 5 question types, the 5 step essay writing strategy & sample questions. All the key information you need to know.

Understanding Task 2 Questions  – How to quickly and easily analyse and understand IELTS Writing Task 2 questions.

How To Plan a Task 2 Essay  – Discover why essay planning is essential & learn a simple 4 step strategy, the 4 part essay structure & 4 methods of generating ideas.

How To Write a Task 2 Introduction  – Find out why a good introduction is essential. Learn how to write one using a simple 3 part strategy & discover 4 common mistakes to avoid.

How To Write Task 2 Main Body Paragraphs  – Learn the simple 3 part structure for writing great main body paragraphs and also, 3 common mistakes to avoid. 

How To Write Task 2 Conclusions  – Learn the easy way to write the perfect conclusion for a Task 2 essay. Also discover 4 common mistakes to avoid.

Task 2 Marking Criteria  – Find out how to meet the marking criteria for IELTS Task 2. See examples of good and poor answers & learn some common mistakes to avoid.

Other related pages:

IELTS Writing Test  – Understand the format & marking criteria, know what skills are assessed & learn the difference between the Academic & General writing tests.

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7 Steps to Structuring an IELTS Task 2 Essay

Posted by David S. Wills | Apr 6, 2020 | IELTS Tips , Writing | 0

In this week’s article, I want to show you how to structure an IELTS writing task 2 essay. I’ve written about this many times in the past, but today I want to show you a simple, 7-step approach that can guide you to the perfect essay.

First of all, I want to mention that there are lots of ways to write an amazing essay. There are also 5 different kinds of question, hundreds of topics, and lots of different combinations. This means that you cannot just memorise an answer or even memorise a structure. You can learn about that in my IELTS books :

However, this article will give you a guide to writing a great essay structure by logically sequencing your ideas. This can help you to score highly for Coherence and Cohesion, which is worth 25% of your writing score.

IELTS Essay Structure: The Basics

Before we begin with the 7 steps, I would like to give you a short overview. Writing an IELTS essay requires many skills and you have a lot of different criteria to meet in order to get a band 7 or above. Your essay will be judged in four ways, each accounting for 25% of the total score:

• Task Achievement
• Coherence and Cohesion
• Lexical Resource
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy

When thinking about structuring an essay, we are essentially talking about Coherence and Cohesion . Being able to produce a strong structure with logically sequenced ideas will give you a good chance of a high score in this section.

There are lots of different approaches, but most IELTS trainers agree that a four-paragraph structure is the best approach, with five paragraphs sometimes being appropriate. [ Read about 4 vs 5 paragraphs ] You should aim to divide your ideas sensibly and then build them in order to support your thesis or explain the issues as necessary.

Today, the steps that I will describe for you are as follows:

• Analyse the Question
• Brainstorm Ideas
• Plan your Overall Structure
• Plan your Internal Paragraph Structure
• Write a Strong Introduction
• Link your Sentences
• Write a Good Conclusion

1. Analyse the Question

Every IELTS question is different and so it is really important that you read it carefully in order to understand it fully. If you just read it quickly, you might get the wrong idea. It is natural for our brains to see a word and jump to a conclusion. For example, a question that mentions climate change might really be asking about solutions to fossil fuel emissions rather than the consequences of global warming. If you don’t understand the question, you cannot write a good answer.

Before you begin brainstorming , read the question at least twice. Let’s look at an example:

Some people claim that not enough of the waste from homes is recycled. They say that the only way to make people recycle more is to make it a legal requirement. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

When you first look at this question, your eyes will be drawn to keywords like “waste” and “recycle.” That is good, but we need to understand the full sentence. What sort of waste are we talking about? Waste from homes . What does “legal requirement” mean? It means make it a law .

You will always see a statement of some sort above and then the question below. Once you understand the statement, you should read the question. In this case, the question is “To what extent do you agree…?”

Therefore, you need to choose a position ( agree/disagree ) and then write an essay that explains your position.

Note: Some IELTS candidates believe that you have to give a balanced viewpoint. This is not necessarily true. You can read about it in this article .

2. Brainstorm Ideas

Once you understand the question, you can begin to think of ideas to use in your essay. My biggest piece of advice here is: DON’T CHOOSE TOO MANY IDEAS!!

Seriously, it is not helpful to use lots of different ideas or examples in your essay. Yes, this might help you reach 250 words easily, but your essay will definitely get a low score for Coherence and Cohesion (and possibly Task Achievement) because it will not be well organized and probably will lack sufficient development of ideas.

I encourage my writing students to follow the idea of ONE PARAGRAPH, ONE IDEA. In some essay types, this is easy. For example, in an advantages/disadvantages essay , you can just devote one body paragraph to advantages and the other to disadvantages. Simple!

However, in other types of essay, you might find it harder. With agree/disagree essays, you might have two reasons why you agree. In this case, you just put one reason in each body paragraph.

Let’s brainstorm now.

Personally, I agree that laws should be passed that require people to recycle their household waste. Therefore, I would consider the following ideas:

Those are just some ideas. Sometimes you will struggle to think of even two ideas and sometimes you will easily think of five or six. The important thing, though, is to choose the most important ones. Think about what would make the most convincing argument.

3. Plan your Overall Structure

By “overall structure,” I mean your basic paragraph plan. Every IELTS writing task 2 essay should have an introduction and conclusion , and at least two body paragraphs. This is the standard essay format and I highly recommend that you practice with it. Essays that have lots of paragraphs are usually a mess and will receive low scores for Coherence and Cohesion.

I want to write an advanced essay that will score band 9, so I am going to use an interesting structure that will allow me to show off my essay-writing skills. My first body paragraph will look at opposing viewpoints and then refute them, before the second body paragraph concisely states why we do need laws that make people recycle.  

For this essay, my overall structure would look like this:

This is a pretty simple and flexible paragraph structure. I highly recommend that you use it because once you become comfortable with it, you can really adapt it a lot. Even though it is basic and you can use it for scoring band 6, you can also use this structure for band 9 essays.

The reason is that you can vary the content of your body paragraphs greatly. Here, I have tried to give balance to the argument, even though I agree with one side – the need for laws. However, rather than simply state two compelling reasons, I will first dismiss the counter-arguments and then give an argument in favour of my viewpoint.

4. Plan your Internal Paragraph Structure

This is the most difficult part of structuring an essay and it is the reason why most people struggle to get a high score for Coherence and Cohesion.

It is really, really important for IELTS writing that your ideas are sequenced logically. That means they go from one idea to the next in a logical way. Look at these two example passages. One contains a logical flow of ideas and the other does not. Can you tell which is which?

• The case in favour of laws mandating recycling is simple and irrefutable. These laws would ensure that a far higher amount of household waste is recycled, thereby reducing the amount of pollution that goes into our environment. People cannot be trusted to do this for themselves, and the evidence exists in the places where environmental laws are strictly enforced, compared to those where they are non-existent, or weakly enforced.
• These laws would ensure that a far higher amount of household waste is recycled, thereby reducing the amount of pollution that goes into our environment. People cannot be trusted to do this for themselves, and the evidence exists in the places where environmental laws are strictly enforced, compared to those where they are non-existent, or weakly enforced. The case in favour of laws mandating recycling is simple and irrefutable.

Which one is correct? Answer: #1.

In this answer, I began with a topic sentence . This is a sentence that introduces an idea. I then explained that idea in more detail. Finally, I added another sentence that built upon the previous two. Both the second and third sentences supported the first. When you put them in the wrong order, they make no sense.

Finally, notice that I used certain words to refer back to previous ideas: these laws , do this .

5. Write a Strong Introduction

It’s really important with any kind of writing to give a strong introduction. This grabs your reader’s attention but also tells them what to expect from your writing. If an examiner reads a really terrible introduction, they will think that your body paragraphs are likely to be very bad, too.

As such, it is important that you devote a little time to writing an excellent intro.

What does that involve?

I recommend that people generally write a three-sentence introduction. (However, remember that there is no one perfect way to write an essay and so there are other good possibilities.)

I suggest this:

• General statement that addresses the topic.
• Slightly more specific statement that relates wider topic to specific question.
• A sentence that shows essay intention or overview. (This is often called an outline sentence .)

For the above question, I would write an introduction like this:

Pollution remains a significant problem all around the world and this is causing people to debate possible solutions. One such solution is for governments to impose laws requiring citizens to recycle certain kinds of waste from their homes. This essay will argue that environmental laws are essential to reducing waste and thereby saving the planet.

Let’s look at how those sentences are structured:

• A very general statement: pollution is a problem; people discuss solutions.
• More specific statement: introduce potential solution with simple detail
• Essay statement: state that laws are essential for solving problem

6. Link your Sentences

Next, you are going to need to write the body paragraphs. With your essay structure already written, it should not be too hard to do this. You need to follow a simple but effective internal paragraph structure that develops and supports each idea.

When you do this, it is important that you link your sentences. Now, if you have a good enough structure, your sentences will already be linked. That is because your ideas will flow naturally from one to the next.

As you will know, it is possible to use “ cohesive devices ” (also called transitional or linking words/phrases etc). These include words and phrases like: however, therefore, next, after that, meanwhile, on the other hand . They are very useful and help guide your reader, but you should not overuse them or it will make your writing weak.

Let’s look at my third paragraph as an example.

The case in favour of laws mandating recycling is simple and irrefutable. These laws would ensure that a far higher amount of household waste is recycled, thereby reducing the amount of pollution that goes into our environment. People cannot be trusted to do this for themselves, and the evidence exists in the places where environmental laws are strictly enforced, compared to those where they are non-existent, or weakly enforced. In the United Kingdom, people are required to recycle most of their household waste, and the environment is far cleaner than other countries, such as China, where people can throw any trash away without consequences.

How many cohesive devices did I use?

None. My sentences were already well-organized, so I did not need to use any.

You can read all about not using too many cohesive devices here .

7. Write a Good Conclusion

Finally, you must finish all your IELTS writing task 2 essays with a conclusion . This means a final paragraph that summarizes everything you have said so far and then references your key ideas. This can be either one or two sentences, but don’t write much more than that.

A conclusion will also differ according to the question type. Some might require you to make a suggestion or state an opinion, while others will really just require you to summarize you have said.

It is a pretty good idea to follow a structure like this:

• Paraphrase your main idea.
• Re-state your main arguments.

For example, here is my conclusion from the above question:

In conclusion, laws are absolutely essential to ensure that people recycle their household waste. Without such laws, very few people would actually go to the trouble of recycling; however, if governments enforce these laws, almost everyone would have to comply.

In this conclusion, the first sentence paraphrases my main idea (laws are necessary) and the second sentence re-states my main arguments (people would not recycle without laws; laws make people recycle).

Note that I have avoided repeating myself. In these two lines, I have simply referred to my previous arguments but I have not copied the things I already said. I have used new language for it.

Sample Band 9 Answer

Next, I will show you my answer for this question. Remember that this is just one possible answer. There are other ways to write a band 9 score. However, I do think that this is the best way because it is easy to learn and apply to your own essays. I recommend that you download the essay as a Microsoft Word (.docx) file because I have annotated it fully. You can see a clear explanation of what purpose each sentence has.

Sample Answer

Pollution remains a significant problem all around the world and this is causing people to debate possible solutions. One such solution is for governments to impose laws requiring citizens to recycle certain kinds of waste from their homes. This essay will argue that environmental laws are essential to reducing waste and thereby saving the planet. The case against laws imposing mandatory recycling revolve around the notion that people can learn to recycle by themselves, and this is true to an extent. With the improvement of education, people typically litter less and recycle more. However, our planet is presently in the grips of environmental catastrophe and it would take several generations for people to make changes to their lives. It is also sometimes argued that poor people cannot afford to make the sacrifice necessary to use less plastic and switch to sustainable products, and it is therefore unfair to punish them. However, mandatory recycling would not require people to immediately give up plastics; instead, they would simply be required to dispose of them in an ethical manner at a government-run recycling facility. The case in favour of laws mandating recycling is simple and irrefutable. These laws would ensure that a far higher amount of household waste is recycled, thereby reducing the amount of pollution that goes into our environment. People cannot be trusted to do this for themselves, and the evidence exists in the places where environmental laws are strictly enforced, compared to those where they are non-existent, or weakly enforced. In the United Kingdom, people are required to recycle most of their household waste, and the environment is far cleaner than other countries, such as China, where people can throw any trash away without consequences. In conclusion, laws are absolutely essential to ensure that people recycle their household waste. Without such laws, very few people would actually go to the trouble of recycling; however, if governments enforce these laws, almost everyone would have to comply.

You can download a copy of that sample essay here . This will allow you to see all of my annotations like this:

Improving your Writing Skills

If you really want to get better at IELTS writing, the best way is to have an expert check your work. People who use my writing correction service find that they can quickly identify their mistakes and improve their overall IELTS score.

E-mail me at david [at] ted-ielts [dot] com to find out more, or check the above link.

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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IELTS essay plan for writing task 2 (7 steps)

Home  »  IELTS academic task 2 » IELTS essay plan for writing task 2

Before starting your essay you need a solid essay plan.

Avoid jumping straight into the introduction, first organise your ideas.

Ametuer tutors will often over simplify this stage, however, it is incredibly important we plan effectively and extensively before starting to write.

A proper plan will prevent you having to rewrite the paragraph if you find yourself off topic later.

Here is a very brief overview of what we teach in our online ielts course.

1. First classify the question. 2. Brainstorm ideas around the idea and clarify your position for each paragraph. 3. Check the ideas correspond to the question (important for task response). 4. Develop the ideas further. Ask yourself WHY? 5. Develop examples that prove your point. 6. Organise your ideas and plan the paragraph. 7. Write your introduction, paragraphs and conclusion.

1. Classify the question

Here you can find the 5 types of IELTS task 2 questions you are likely to see in the exam.

Opinion (Agree or Disagree) Discuss (Both views + Opinion) Problem + Solution Two Part Question Advantages / Disadvantages

Classifying the question correctly will help you later determine what response you will write.

2. Brainstorm ideas and clarify your position for each paragraph.

At this stage we brainstorm possible ideas, from these ideas we can build out our paragraph.

It is important we get a clear plan established.

Our plan needs to reflect the positions we are taking in each of the paragraphs.

Do we agree or disagree? What are the problems? What are the solutions?

If you struggle for ideas this tutorial will help.

Below is a sample question with sample ideas and positions. In this tutorial we have hundreds of essay questions and sample ideas / answers .

Some people think that it is important to use leisure time for activities that improve the mind, such as reading and doing word puzzles. Other people feel that it is important to rest the mind during leisure time. Discuss both views and give your opinion. 

Paragraph 1:

YES USE LEISURE TIME FOR IMPROVING THE MIND Improve the mind through stimulus, make use of idle time, possibly even learn or improve a language with new apps

Paragraph 2:

NO, REST THE MIND .... because work can be stressful, rest can result in better performance at work ....

3. Check your ideas correspond to the question

Double check that your ideas are answering the question.

It is easy to get an idea and develop it extensively, only to find we are not really answering the essay question.

This will negatively affect your Task Response score which is 25% of the band score criteria in the writing section.

It is easier to catch the problem now - before writing the paragraph.

4. Develop the ideas further. Ask yourself why?

This is a fundamental skill for IELTS essay writing and essential for the criteria: Cohesion and Coherence.

We have a detailed tutorial about cause and effect here .

From the earlier question we had this idea:

Now to develop it further we ask ourselves, why?

...possibly even learn or improve a language with new apps

Because this can bring lots of benefits

Because learning a language improves mental agility.

5. Develop examples that prove your point.

Developing examples is an extremely valuable skill to boost your score.

You can think of studies that prove your point or even give hypothetical examples (and pick up points for grammatical range and accuracy).

In this tutorial we explore at length how to give examples that score high for lexical resource.

6. Organise your ideas and plan the paragraph.

Now we have our: - ideas - position - examples

Now we can organise the paragraph, here is a possible structure to follow:

- introduction / topic sentence - our position - explanation (WHY) - example - paragraph close

At IELTSPodcast our online students have the C2 Template , which is a high scoring template of the structure above. It includes sophisticated sentences and naturally links all your ideas together.

Here is a useful video on this topic.

7. Write your introduction, paragraphs and conclusion.

We only start writing after we have completed the plan we just mentioned.

At first formulating plans will take time but the process gets easier the more times you do it.

Ideally it should become an automatic procedure.

Writing the essay is also a challenge and can take a long time to perfect.

A lot of students get stuck at 6.5 because although they can write excellent paragraphs following a basic structure like the one above, it still is not enough to get Band 7.

You can write essays in perfect normal English following the structure above and still get stuck at Band 6.5.

You see, you need a combination of excellent language skills and excellent exam skills.

We offer a trial essay correction for just $5, we can help you improve faster through feedback. This way you can identify the mistakes being made and avoid making them again.

To get the trial essay correction for $5 just sign up to our mailing list here .

Alternatively, if you need to pass fast then have a look at the Jump to Band 7 or it's Free online IELTS course .

For help improving your IELTS writing , take a look at our essay correction service to help you get a high band score!

Audio tutorial

| Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify | Soundcloud |

Tutorials and Tips to Prepare for Task 2

• How to Get Ideas for Task 2
• Band 9 Sample Essay
• Extremely Useful Sentences for Task 2
• Five Powerful Sentence Structures to use in your IELTS Writing test
• How to use comparisons in Task 2
• Concession Paragraphs for “do I agree/disagree essays”
• How to write an IELTS Essay Conclusion
• IELTS Cohesion and Coherence
• 3 ways to paraphrase for your Task 2 introduction
• Marking Criteria for IELTS Writing
• Topics Sentences for Your Essays
• 7 Ways to Improve your Sentences in Your IELTS Essays
• Grammar for IELTS Writing
• Academic Collocations for Task 2
• Free Essay Band Score Evaluation
• Sign up to claim your free IELTS materials
• Jump to Band 7 or it’s Free
• IELTS Writing Evaluation
• IELTS Band Score Calculator
• Book Your Online IELTS Test
• Sample Topic Answers
• Useful Sentences
• Sample Task 2 Questions 2022
• Introduction to Paraphrasing
• Model Band 9 Essay
• Five Band 9 Words
• Model Band 7 Essay
• Differences Band 9 vs Band 7 Essay
• Band 6.5 Essay
• Academic Collocations
• Topic Sentences
• Discuss Both Views
• Tutorial: To What Extent Essays
• Paraphrasing Introductions
• Essay Structures
• Essay Plans
• Describe a Pie Chart
• Using Percentages
• Map Vocabulary
• Describe Flow Charts
• Describe a Bar Chart
• How to get Band 9
• AT 1 Sample Questions 2022
• Describe a Graphic
• GT Task 1 Questions 2022
• IELTS Vocabulary
• Google Play / Podcasts
• Apple Podcast
• Android App
• Task 2 Sample Questions
• AT 1 Questions

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IELTS Writing Task 2

Ielts writing task 2 page.

This page gives information and advice on IELTS writing task 2.

Task 2 is very similar for the general training and academic modules.

You will have to write a 250-word essay on a common topic.

See the list of essay writing topics .

Writing Test PDF Download

IELTS Writing Task 2 – Structure

• Place your ideas into paragraphs.
• The best IELTS writing task 2 essays have four or five paragraphs.
• Good paragraphing shows the examiner that your essay is well-organized.
• This structure also helps you write well-developed sentences.
• In this way, your essay will meet the 250-word requirement.

IELTS Writing Task 2 – Paragraphs

Students sometimes worry because they don’t know when to begin a new paragraph when they are writing an essay.

In general, you can organize your work as shown in the next section of this page.

This method of organization will demonstrate that you have thought about your response and planned your essay well.

IELTS Writing Task 2 – Paragraph 1 (The Introduction)

• The first paragraph provides is the introduction to the essay.
• This paragraph should include a clear thesis statement .
• The thesis statement is a sentence which indicates your main idea.
• The first paragraph can also give the reader an overview.
• The overview says what your supporting points are going to be.

IELTS Writing Task 2 – Paragraph 2

• In the second paragraph, you should expand on your first supporting point.
• Your essay might appear more persuasive if you state your strongest point in this paragraph.

IELTS Writing Task 2 – Paragraphs 3 and 4

• You should elaborate on your main idea in the third paragraph.
• Here you should give the second supporting point of your argument.
• Then mention the third supporting point in paragraph four.
• This can be the supporting point that you feel to be the weakest.
• You can combine these two points into one paragraph instead.

IELTS Writing Task 2 – Paragraph 5 (The Conclusion)

• In the final paragraph of the task 2 essay, you should come to a conclusion.
• The conclusion should sum up your argument.

IELTS Writing – More Help

If you need help with your report-writing skills for the academic module or letter writing skills for the general training module, please click on the first link below.

Go to Writing Task 1

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Structures

The four most common IELTS writing Task 2 questions are: Opinion, Advantages and Disadvantages, Problem and Solution Discussion

IELTS Task 2 Essay Structures

Knowing how to structure your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay is an essential skill that can make the difference between getting and not getting the band score you deserve. With that in mind, we have outlined the most common IELTS Writing Task 2 structures below.

Nearly all of my Task 2 essays follow this basic structure: The sentences you put in each paragraph will depend on what type of question you get.

The five most common IELTS Writing Task 2 questions are:

• Opinion (Agree or Disagree)
• Advantages and Disadvantages
• Problem and Solution
• Discussion (Discuss both views)
• Two-part Question

Below I will outline examples and a structure approved by experienced IELTS teachers and examiners for each type of question. This will help you write a clear, coherent answer and hopefully boost your IELTS band score. I also include an example answer for each type of question so you can see the structure in a real essay.

Please note that these are general structures and may vary slightly depending on the question.

Please also note that no ‘one’ Task 2 essay structure will get you a high score. There are many types of structures that can get you a high score. These are just some I think are effective and easy to learn. 

Please visit the lessons below for more detailed guidance on each type of question. I have provided a link at the end of each section.

Opinion Questions (Agree or Disagree) 

Typical Question Words –

What is your opinion?

Do you agree or disagree?

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Direct question.

Example Question –

Some people believe that unpaid community service should be compulsory in high school programmes (for example, working for a charity, improving the neighbourhood or teaching sports to younger children).

Essay Structure 

Introduction 

1- Paraphrase Question

2- Give your opinion and outline the main ideas.

Main Body Paragraph 1 

1- Topic Sentence

2- Explain Topic Sentence

Main Body Paragraph 2

Conclusion 

1- Summary of main points and opinion

Student Sample Answer

It is argued that volunteering should be made part of the school curriculum. This essay agrees with that suggestion completely because it help pupils develop soft skills and helps them gain much-needed work experience.

Education should not be limited to strictly academic pursuits, and those in education should also develop life skills, such as teamwork, empathy and self-discipline, and one of the best ways to hone these aptitudes is through community service. Serving those less fortunate than ourselves teaches us many lessons, including how to work with people from other backgrounds and the value of hard work, thus enabling us to hone these skills before becoming an adult. For example, many young people from wealthier countries take a gap year and help those less fortunate than themselves to increase their gratitude for what they have and improve their work ethic.

Many colleges and companies are also increasingly looking for this type of experience. Most school leavers have the same grades, and charitable work can help set you apart from other students when making college applications. For example, Cambridge and Oxford receive thousands of applications from straight-A students yearly and can only accept a small percentage of applicants. What you have done outside the classroom often differentiates you from everyone else and gets you that coveted spot.

In conclusion, teenagers should be made to partake in unpaid work as part of their schooling because it will help them learn things they wouldn’t ordinarily learn from their teachers, and it will also boost their chances of getting into third-level education.

For more detail on how to answer agree or disagree questions, please visit our opinion essay lesson . 

Need help writing essays like this? Check out our ESSAY CORRECTION SERVICE .

Advantages and Disadvantages Questions

Typical Question Words 

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Example Question

Technology is being used more and more in education.

Essay Structure

2- Outline Main Points

Main Body Paragraph 1

1- State Two Advantages

2- Expand/Explain First Advantage

3- Expand/Explain Second Advantage

1- State Two Disadvantages

2- Expand/Explain First Disadvantage

3- Expand/Explain Second Disadvantage

1- Summary of Main Points

Student Sample Answer 

It is argued that technology plays an ever-increasing role in schools and universities. Increased access to information and student freedom are the main advantages, whereas dependency on technology and decreasing levels of face-to-face contact are the main disadvantages.

Access to more information and student autonomy are the principal advantages of increasing the use of electronic devices in education. With the internet, students can access all the information available about any topic, regardless of what books and other resources are available in the school. Furthermore, students can focus on whatever topic or subject they want and study it in depth. A prime example of this is the number of online university courses available to students, covering a myriad of subjects that, up until recently, were unavailable to most learners. This has resulted in more people studying third-level degrees than ever before at a pace and schedule that suits them.

The main disadvantages associated with the increasing use of technology in education are the dependency on this technology and the decrease in face-to-face interaction between students. With many students now using the internet as their primary source of information, they often struggle to use other academic resources to find what they’re looking for. As well as this, students spend more time looking at computer screens by themselves than interacting with each other, which is thought to lead to lower levels of emotional intelligence. For instance, the recent explosion in smartphone use has been at the expense of genuine human interaction. This results in soft skills, such as verbal communication and empathy, being affected.

In conclusion, the benefits technology brings to education, such as unrestricted access to information and student autonomy, must be weighed against the drawbacks, such as dependency on this technology and the negative effects on human interaction.

For more detail on how to answer advantage and disadvantage questions, please visit our  advantage and disadvantage lesson . 

Discuss Both Views Question (Discussion Essay)  

Discuss both points of view and give your opinion.

Example Question 

Technology is being used more and more in education. Some people say that this is a positive trend, while others argue that it is leading to negative consequences.

Discuss both sides of this argument and then give your own opinion.

1- Paraphrase Question and/or state both viewpoints.

2- Thesis Statement

3- Outline Sentence

1- State first viewpoint

2- Discuss first viewpoint

3- Reason why you agree or disagree with viewpoint

4- Example to support your view

1- State second viewpoint

2- Discuss second viewpoint

Sentence 1- Summary

Sentence 2- State which one is better or more important

There is an ever-increasing use of technology, such as tablets and laptops, in the classroom. It is often argued that this is a positive development, whilst others disagree and think it will lead to adverse ramifications. This essay agrees that an increase in technology is beneficial to students and teachers.

The Internet has provided students with access to more information than ever before. This has allowed learners to research and learn about any subject at the touch of a button. It is therefore agreed that technology is a very worthwhile tool for education. Wikipedia is a prime example, where students can type in any keyword and gain access to in-depth knowledge quickly and easily.

However, many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human interaction. Human interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse, debate and empathy. Without these soft skills, many people find it difficult to become successful in work and their personal lives. Despite this, human interaction is still possible through the internet, and this essay disagrees that technology should be dismissed for this reason. For instance, Skype and Facebook allow people to interact in ways that were never before possible.

While the benefits of technology, particularly the internet, allow students to tap into limitless sources of information, some still feel that people should be wary of this new phenomenon and not allow it to curb face-to-face interaction. However, as long as we carefully consider the importance of human interaction in education, the educational benefits are clearly positive.

For more detail on how to answer discussion questions please visit our  discussion essay lesson . 

Problem and Solution Questions

Problem and solution.

Cause and solution.

Students are becoming more and more reliant on technology.

What are some of the problems associated with reliance on computers, and what are some of the possible solutions?

2- Outline Sentence

1- State Problems

2- Explain First Problem

3- Explain Second Problem

4- Example of Second Problem

1- State Solutions

2- Explain First Solution

3- Explain Second Solution

4- Example of Second Solution

Learners are becoming increasingly dependent on technology, such as the Internet and mobile devices. This essay believes the main problems associated with dependence on computers are the lack of original thought and copying original work from others and suggests critical thinking classes and writing analysis software as the most viable solutions.

The principal problems with over-reliance on technology are people being unable to think for themselves and plagiarism. With access to so much information, students often rely on other people’s opinions instead of forming their own. As well as this, they often use search engines to answer a question and copy the text from a website rather than thinking about the question. This practice is prohibited in schools and universities and stunts students’ intellectual development because they will never truly think for themselves, which is what university is supposed to be for. For example, many teachers complain that students copy web pages straight from Wikipedia word for word rather than giving a reasoned answer to their questions.

Solutions to these worrying problems are special classes to focus on critical thinking and teachers using anti-plagiarism software to detect copying. If teachers create situations where students have to infer meaning and express opinions based on a small amount of information, this will ensure that students have an opportunity to develop these skills. Also, if students know that their assignments are being checked for plagiarism, this will be enough to deter them from doing so. For instance, many universities already use this kind of software to scan coursework for plagiarism, and it could be extended to include all homework by learners in both secondary and tertiary education.

In conclusion, the main problems with the overuse of technology in education are the lack of original thought and plagiarism. These can be solved through special classes that teach students analytical skills and plagiarism detection software.

For more detail on how to answer problem and solution questions please visit our  problem and solution lesson . 

Two-Part Questions

There will normally be a statement, and they will then ask you to answer separate questions.

As most people spend a major part of their adult life at work, job satisfaction is an important element of individual wellbeing.

What factor contributes to job satisfaction?

How realistic is the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers?

2- Outline Sentence (mention both questions)

1- Answer first question directly

2- Explain why

3- Further explain

1- Answer second question directly

As most adults spend most of their time at work, being content with your career is a crucial part of a person’s health and happiness. This essay will first suggest fair pay as a key element leading to job satisfaction, and it will then state that it is not very likely that everyone can be happy with their job.

The most important thing that satisfies someone at work is being compensated fairly. If those more senior than you respect you as a person and the job you are doing, then you feel like you are valued. A fair salary and benefits are important marks of respect, and if you feel you are being underpaid, you will either resent your bosses or look for another job. These two factors came top of a recent job satisfaction survey conducted by Monster.com, which found that 72% of people were pleased with their current role if their superiors regularly told them they were appreciated.

With regard to the question of happiness for all workers, I think this is and always will be highly unlikely. The vast majority of people fail to reach their goals and end up working in a post they don’t really care about in return for a salary. This money is just enough to pay their living expenses which often means they are trapped in a cycle of disenchantment. For example, The Times recently reported that 89% of office workers would leave their jobs if they did not need the money.

In conclusion, being satisfied with your trade or profession is an important part of one’s well-being, and respect from one’s colleagues and fair pay can improve your level of happiness; however, job satisfaction for all workers is an unrealistic prospect.

Can I get a band 8 or 9 following these structures? 

Nobody can give you a Task 2 IELTS structure that guarantees high scores. Your score is dependent on how good your grammar and vocabulary are and how well you answer the question. A good structure will help you answer the question to some extent and boost your score for coherence and cohesion, but you must use relevant ideas and use these ideas well to answer the question.

You can see how my student scored a Band 8.5 in IELTS Writing here:

Next Steps 

We hope you found those IELTS Writing Task 2 structures useful. Looking for some more sample questions? Here are over 100 sample questions from past exam papers.

If you would personalised feedback and guidance until you get the score you need, you can join the Waiting List for my VIP Course here.

About Christopher Pell

My name is Christopher Pell and I'm the Managing Director of IELTS Advantage.

I started IELTS Advantage as a simple blog to help 16 students in my class. Several years later, I am very humbled that my VIP Course has been able to help thousands of people around the world to score a Band 7+ in their IELTS tests.

If you need my help with your IELTS preparation, you can send me an email using the contact us page.

IELTS Writing Task 2: a step by step method to write an essay with explanations and model answer

A number of IELTS takers have asked me to explain the process of writing a good, solid answer to any IELTS Task 2 question . To be frank, different people approach differently. For me, it’s breaking down this 40-45 minute task into some short steps and then working on it. In this post, I’m showing you how to write a great Task 2 answer following some easy steps. It also includes a model answer.

Step 1: Analyse the question

To analyze the task 2 question, follow these steps.

A. Read it carefully two or three times. Below is a sample question.

The Internet is now becoming common in all communities and cultures. Almost everyone has access to this medium on a daily basis due to the cheap rate of mobile phones and networking systems around the world. However, the impacts of the internet are not always positive.

Describe some of the negative impacts of the internet. What can be done to minimize these bad impacts?

Give reasons for your answer.

B. Get an idea of your expected audience.

Typically, task 2 questions are usually said to be ‘as part of a class project where a dissertation has to be written’. You should write the essay as if it was for a teacher/trainer. This refers to the fact that your writing must please the teacher or expert of English language skills.

C. What is the topic about?

The keywords in the initial part of the question have been made bold below:

The Internet is now becoming common in all communities and cultures. Almost everyone has access to this medium on a daily basis due to the cheap rate of mobile phones and networking systems around the world. However, the impacts of the internet are not always positive .

The issue of the first two sentences is the general topic of the internet. This topic is limited or pointed in the third sentence which specifies the ‘effects’ of the internet, in particular, the negative impacts (‘are not always positive’ means are sometimes negative).

D. What is your purpose/task in writing?

The keywords of the rest of the question are underlined below.

Note that there are essentially two questions or tasks in this one activity:

• to provide some of the probable negative effects or impacts of the internet
• to give details on how to avert or limit these negative effects

Step 2: Make necessary notes of ideas

Here, I present you an example of the type of notes you need to write at this stage. The model notes are written on the left side. To the right side is a concise explanation of what the notes signify. Remember, in the real exam notes must be in brief. The explanations provided here are to make you understand what the notes mean. You need not write the explanations in the real exam.

Probable negative effects of the internet :

How to minimize these impacts:, step 3: make a plan.

Now, it is time for you to decide which of these ideas will certainly be used in your essay. Try to organize these ideas in an organized and logical way.

In the box below right, I’ve provided a sample plan which is made on the basis of these notes. Not all of the ideas have been used in the plan. Related Points are grouped together into paragraphs (marked with a bullet point).

Step 4: Write the Essay

To do this, you must follow the plan you have prepared.

Model answer:

With the advance of information and technology, people who live in remote areas are getting access to the internet. It is because of the cheap rate of smartphones and faster networking systems. However, even though the internet is clearly very popular, the impacts of using the internet are often negative on people, which is now a concern for many.

Internet users can be negatively affected mainly in three ways. Many people, both children and adults waste a lot of their valuable time using social networks and youtube. Moreover, using the internet too much will surely make people lazy and at the same time, it is derogatory for their health because they do not take part in enough physical exercise.

Additionally, nowadays young people are becoming more addicted to pornographic websites. It is influencing them in a negative way and they are losing their morality, which is having a seriously bad impact on the moral values of a particular society. Furthermore, the internet has various negative impacts on families and society. Our communication skill is deteriorating day by day due to our over-indulgence on the internet. It is also responsible for the loss of local customs and traditions as people are learning about foreign customs and cultures and capturing them hastily.

Although the scenario is quite unfortunate, there are two key ways to minimize the negative impacts described above. At first, concerned authorities should exercise more control over the content of the internet. Contents like pornography and nudity, which may influence people negatively, should be banned or limited. Also, the authority should educate people about the possible negative impacts of the internet. People can regulate themselves and their children.

In fine, necessary actions must be taken immediately to protect the community from the negative impacts of the internet. If we fail to do so and let it continue as it is, more problems will occur one by one and the society and country will suffer.

(318 words)

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Agree disagree topic on using forensics to solve old cases; with 3 model answers

This IELTS Writing Task 2 post offers some sample answers to an agree-disagree topic. This agree-disagree topic asks the candidates to provide arguments as to whether new science related to criminal forensics should be used to look at old cases or not. In this post, you will find three great model answers which may help […]

IELTS Writing Task 2: an advantage-disadvantage essay on taking a gap year before starting university education; with plans and model answer

This IELTS Writing Task 2 post offers the insights of writing a great answer to an advantage-disadvantage essay. This task 2 question asks the candidates to provide their personal opinions on taking a gap year before starting university education. In this post, you will find a plan that can help you to write this answer […]

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Essay

In IELTS Writing Task 2, you need to write an essay in response to a point of view, an argument or a problem on a given topic. The essay has to be formal or semi-formal in style and at least 250 words.

Here is an example how the writing task prompt looks like:

WRITING TASK 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people think that one should retire at the age of 60 or 65. Others say that people should be allowed to work for as long as they want to.

What is your opinion about this?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

How to write an essay for IELTS Writing Task 2?

You must start by spending some time reading the instructions. It is very important that you fully understand what you are asked to do.

You should spend at least 2 minutes planning your essay:

• Read the instructions thoroughly
• Brainstorm, write down the main keywords and ideas
• Introduction: paraphrase the topic
• Essay body: organise your essay into 2–3 body paragraphs, develop your ideas, add supporting points and provide examples
• Conclusion: sum up what you have written and make sure you do not introduce new ideas and thoughts that you have not covered in your essay

Use cohesive devices to link your ideas.

See also: 5 Tips on How To Write an IELTS Essay

How is IELTS Writing Task 2 scored?

IELTS Writing Task 2 gives you 2 / 3 of your total writing score, whereas Task 1 is worth 1 / 3 of your score. Hence the recommended time for both tasks: for Task 1 it is 20 minutes, for Task 2 it is 40 minutes.

Your essay will be evaluated on the four marking criteria:

• Task achievement
• Coherence and cohesion
• Lexical resource
• Grammatical range and accuracy

Each criterion gives 25% of your total score for the task.

For more detailed information, see How IELTS Writing Task 2 Is Checked .

See also: IELTS Writing Task 2 band descriptors .

IELTS Writing Task 2 – Academic vs General

What is the difference.

There is no significant difference between the IELTS Writing Task 2 Academic or General module in terms of the format.

The tasks are both evaluated on the same four marking criteria and candidates are required to write at least 250 words.

Even though the task format is the same, the IELTS Academic and General test candidates will not be given the same writing task prompt. In other words, if you take the IELTS General test, you will not get the same essay topic in IELTS Writing Task 2 as those who are taking the Academic module.

The main difference between the two test modules is that the IELTS General Training essay topics are often a little bit easier .

Essay topics from Cambridge IELTS 8 book

To illustrate the difference in the level of difficulty, see the following IELTS Writing Task 2 prompts from Cambridge IELTS 8 book:

Writing Task 2 Academic

Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve growing traffic and pollution problems.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

What other measures do you think might be effective?

Writing Task 2 General

Today more people are travelling than ever before.

Why is this the case?

What are the benefits of travelling for the traveller?

As it can be seen from the comparison, the IELTS General Training topic is more general and relatively easier, whereas the Academic one is more specific.

IELTS ESSAY SAMPLES

IELTS Discussion Essay Sample

IELTS Agree / Disagree Essay Sample

IELTS Advantage / Disadvantage Essay Sample

IELTS Problem / Solution Essay Sample

IELTS Two-part Question Essay Sample

Ielts writing task 2: essay sample (corrected).

Demography in western countries indicates that there will be more and more elderly people in the future. Due to better healthcare systems that are available and stricter requirements for working environments, the life expectancy of people has risen in over /with time. This has made people discuss ing whether people in their retirement age should stop working, or just the opposite, they should be more engaged in society and offered a chance to work as long as they want in spite of their high advanced age.

On the one hand, according to the fact that population is ageing in western countries, it an ageing population is gradually putting more pressure on younger generations who have to support elderly people. For instance, providing that there is an increasing number of elderly people, the people in their of working age will have to pay more tax to provide elderly people with access to healthcare services and to enable government to support them financially. Therefore, allowing people at the age of retirement to work as long as they want to would be something that both the government and pensioners could benefit from.

On the other hand, the list of occupations that would fit be suitable for /be opened to older people should be limited. There are many specific work tasks that may not be very suitable for older people, especially work duties that require a good physical fit fitness . Thus, a A good example would be a policeman who has to have a good physical stamina in order to stop criminals or even a firefighter who may have to climb on the ladders or roofs. However, it would be reasonable to assess a person's suitability for a certain position regarding to his or her age individually and on a case by case basis.

To sum up, I personally believe that offering elderly people a choice to be engaged in work and to stay active instead of quitting their job is better both for the whole society and themselves.

(314 words)

Band Score Estimate (prior to corrections)

Brief comments:

• thus = and so
• regarding / with regard to / regarding to

"I have 7+ years of IELTS teaching experience . I will correct your grammar and give suggestions for more appropriate word use. I will give you tips on how to answer the question in the way the IELTS examiners expect." — Claudia, IELTS teacher from the UK

See more useful IELTS essay resources:

• 5 Types of IELTS Essays with Questions & Samples
• How to Improve IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay? (recommended!)
• Essay vocabulary
• Linking words for IELTS

How it works

See a sample →

1. Choose your plan

• Detailed feedback
• Overall band score + for each criterion
• Grammar and content corrections
• Suggestions for improvement

2. Submit your order

We are here to help.

Whether you have any questions, want to leave feedback or discuss cooperation possibilities, do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help and will answer as soon as possible. In the meantime, discover our site and let it help you smooth your IELTS journey and make your studies more efficient.

You will find useful information on all the four IELTS test components:

Got a question? We'd love to hear from you!

IELTS Writing Task 2: Opinion Essay Guide

Having a clear knowledge of how you structure your IELTS Opinion Essay Task is an essential skill that will make you attain your desired band score and eventually move to the country you are aiming for. 

Since the IELTS Opinion Essay Task is one of the most challenging parts of the IELTS Writing Test , we have outlined for you everything there is to know about this part of the test, so read on. 

What is IELTS Writing Task 2?

What is the ielts writing opinion essay task  , what are some essential tips for writing the ielts opinion essay, how to structure your opinion essay answer, planning tips for the ielts opinion essay task , good or bad: writing a long introduction, how to use the last 5 minutes of the ielts writing task 2 test, what are some useful phrases in writing opinion essay, helpful ways to improve your ielts writing for a band 7, model essays for ielts opinion essay task, additional faqs – ielts writing task 2 – opinion essays.

The second and final task of the IELTS Writing Test is IELTS Writing Task 2 . It is similar for both the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training modules. 

You must write at least 250 words and should spend at least 40 minutes (out of the 60 minutes) on this task because it carries more weight.

You must write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem in IELTS Writing Task 2. It assesses your ability to:

• present a logical, relevant, and well-structured argument
• provide facts or examples to back up ideas
• use appropriate language 

There are five types of questions that are posed in the IELTS Writing Task 2 and you will only find out the type of test you should answer on the day of the test itself. That is why prior to taking the IELTS Test , you should make yourself familiar with them. 

The IELTS opinion essay task is also known as ‘agree or disagree’ or argumentative essay and is one of the most widely used types of IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. This type of query necessitates an answer.

A factual statement will nearly always precede the opinion to provide context. The next question will usually be something along the lines of ‘To what extent do you agree or disagree with…’ or anything along those lines.

One of the most common types of essays in the IELTS Writing Task 2 portion is the opinion essay. Usually, this question asks if you agree or disagree with the given topic.

As a result, rather than remaining neutral, you must choose a side. You are not correctly answering the question if you do not express whether you agree or disagree with the given topic.

Here are the most proven tips to help you get high marks in the IELTS opinion essay task. 

• Make the most of your time:

You have an hour (60 minutes) to finish the IELTS Writing Test. Because the IELTS Writing Task 2 is more important for your overall band score , we recommend devoting no more than 20 minutes to Task 1 and 40 minutes to task two. Allow time for planning and double-checking your work. When taking practice examinations, it’s a good idea to stick to a 60-minute time limit.

• Answer the question directly: 

Answer the question in a straightforward manner. Avoid writing an essay on a topic you have already prepared ahead of time. Ensure that your examples and ideas are valid. If you simplify too much and are not particular enough, it will alter how the examiner perceives your ideas.

• Answer all the questions: 

You must carefully evaluate the question to estimate the number of components it contains. To obtain a band 6 or higher, you must answer all portions of the question. Remember that it is critical to take a clear stance in response to the statement to demonstrate that you understand the subject and to maintain that position throughout the essay.

• Use linking phrases: 

You need to begin with an introduction and end with a conclusion. Your ideas must be clearly defined and structured. If you are expected to present both points of view and your viewpoint, begin with your perspective and then move on to the other points of view. The essay might then be finished by returning to your own point of view. This is the most logical order in which these thoughts should be presented.

• Have your essay in paragraphs: 

To separate your writing into various pieces, use paragraphs. The examiner should be able to read your essay easier as a result of this. Make sure each paragraph is well-organized and contains a well-developed topic of at least three sentences. It also shows that you can logically arrange and articulate your thoughts and ideas.

• Make use of unusual vocabulary:

Avoid using old-fashioned words that are not used in everyday language. If you use a synonym, be sure it has the same meaning as the original and does not alter the meaning of the issue. When studying a language, use both common and uncommon words. You may also use phrasal verbs when discussing certain topics or using idiomatic language.

• Avoid using memorized words, phrases, or examples:

Avoid using any memorized words, phrases, or examples in your writing. They do not show off your eloquence in writing. Examiners are well aware of this. Furthermore, because they are vague and do not sufficiently handle a task, they should not be utilized in writing. You should always utilize straightforward language and appropriate word choices to communicate your thoughts properly.

• Make use of a variety of advanced sentence structures:

Using several frameworks, you should accurately explain your ideas and beliefs. Prove to the examiner that you can employ a variety of structures and that your sentences are error-free. In your writing, use a combination of smart and basic sentences.

However, keep in mind that your complicated sentences should not be excessively long or intricate. With perfect capitalization, commas, and full stops, your punctuation should likewise be perfect.

In writing essays, paragraphs are vital because they divide your thoughts into manageable pieces that a reader can grasp. Imagine reading a 250-word IELTS opinion essay in just one long block of text?!

As a result, many basic writing standards such as introductions and conclusions and the premise that each paragraph should contain only one idea apply. This makes it easier for a writer to provide clear information that a reader can comprehend.

Generally, you need to have at least four paragraphs in the IELTS opinion essay task. However, you may opt to have a five-paragraph essay, which is completely fine. 

First Paragraph — Introduction

This paragraph gives the reader a sense of the essay as a whole and leaves an impression on the examiners. The first sentence is the question statement’s paraphrasing. The examiner should be able to recognize if you have fully understood the question by reading this sentence.

As a result, we recommend that you compose this paragraph so that examiners can acquire a clear picture of the essay.

Second Paragraph — 1st Body Paragraph

When composing your body paragraphs, you can choose one of these two options to construct each one: You can either submit two reasons for agreeing or disagreeing or write a single rationale with an example.

The side with which you disagree is discussed in the first body paragraph of the IELTS opinion essay task. Always remember to layout the first body paragraph’s structure before you start writing.

Third Paragraph — 2 nd Body Paragraph

You make an argument for the viewpoint with which you agree in the third paragraph. As a result, always consider either four or two reasons to support your position, each with an example.

Fourth Paragraph — Conclusion

This paragraph sums up your essay and wraps up your supporting points. To create an effective ending, include the thesis from the introduction, but in a paraphrased form to avoid using the same terms twice. Then, summarize the points from your second and third body paragraphs that support your argument.

Complete IELTS Opinion Essay Task:

How you plan and draft your IELTS opinion essay task will dictate the structure of your output. Remember that you only have 40 minutes for this task, and once you start writing, there is no going back. Hence, it is important that you follow the tips below to produce a quality essay. 

Read and Understand the Question: 

You will be asked if you agree or disagree with the question stated. That implies you will have to choose a side. Examiners will not evaluate what you are thinking or what you genuinely believe. They will simply look at the content of your essay.

As a result, after giving the question statement some thought, choose the side on which you have more strong points to discuss, even if you do not favor that side in real life.

Pick the Important Points :

You may have various points to discuss. However, you will not be able to write all of them. Examiners want you to clearly communicate your point of view, backed up with logic and examples. 

Draft the Structure of your Essay :

Your IELTS opinion essay is finished by composing 14 sentences in four paragraphs. It is as easy as that. This is how we write a 4/14 essay.

The structure is simple to remember and apply in the IELTS Writing Test:

• Introduction – 3 sentences

1 st Sentence: Paraphrase the given topic.

2 nd Sentence: Write a thesis statement.

3 rd Sentence: Write an outline sentence.

• 1st Body Paragraph – 4 sentences 

1 st Sent ence: Topic Sentence 1

2 nd Sentence: Explain Topic Sentence 1.

3 rd Sentence: Present logic for Topic Sentence 1, including drawbacks.

4 th Sentence: Give a supportive example for Topic Sentence 1.

• 2nd Body Paragraph – 4 sentences 

1 st Sentence: Topic Sentence 2

2 nd Sentence: Explain Topic Sentence 2.

3 rd S entence: Present logic for Topic Sentence 2, including drawbacks.

4 th Sentence: Give a supportive example for Topic Sentence 2.

• Conclusion – 3 sentences 

1 st Sentence: Summarize the body paragraph 1.

2 nd Sentence: Summarize the body paragraph 2.

3 rd Sentence: Give a final remark summarizing both body paragraphs.

As mentioned earlier, your introductory paragraph should be clear and concise. You are advised to have a maximum of 3 sentences. Do not elaborate too much so that you would not have anything to write in the succeeding paragraphs anymore. Moreover, it is also not recommended that you write your introduction in only one sentence. 

The IELTS opinion essay task requires you to give your opinion in the introduction and conclusion paragraphs. 

Opinion in the Introduction

Which side do you favor when you write your opinion in the initial paragraph of your essay?

Let us imagine you are an ordinary writer who does not show your point of view in the first paragraph. The examiner may interpret your points as they see fit in this situation. The reader also may be perplexed when they read in the last line which side you favor. This may cause you to lose points unnecessarily.

Opinion in the Conclusion

It is critical to write your viewpoint in the conclusion as well, as this is the final pronouncement. Finally, it persuades the examiner that your thinking is valid. However, remember that you should not repeat the terms you have already used in the introduction.

The last 5 minutes of the IELTS Writing Test could mean the difference between a 5 and a 6.5 band score. Utilize it well.

Ensure that by this time, you have finished writing your IELTS Writing Test and that you have enough time to double-check the following:

• Punctuations
• Number of Words 
• Sentence Structures

These may seem minor details, but you would not believe the number of candidates who have failed to recheck their essay and got a low band score. Do not commit the same mistake. 

The use of appropriate words is an important component of effective essay writing. To explain thoughts more effectively, one should continually grow and strengthen one’s vocabulary.

The following are the top words and phrases to know to produce excellent IELTS opinion essays:

Expressing Opinions

• I’d argue that… 
• In my opinion…
• Personally, I believe…
• It appears to me that… 
• I have to admit that…
• As far as I can tell…
• As for me, I believe…
• That is something I cannot deny…
• I’d like to emphasize that…
• In my personal experience…

Proving Arguments

• This is testified by…
• This is evidenced by…
• This establishes that…
• This is attested/proven by…

Expressing General Point of View

• It is commonly stated that…
• According to popular belief…
• It is commonly assumed that…
• It is generally assumed that…
• It is largely agreed upon that…
• It’s a widely held assumption that…

Outlining Facts

• It is evident that …
• The truth is that …
• It is obvious that …
• This shows that …
• There is no doubt that …

Giving Examples

• As an example…
• Take for instance…
• We can see this in…
• A good illustration of this is…
• Evidence for this is manifested in…
• To summarize… 
• In conclusion… 
• In general…
• Taking everything into account…

Preparing for the IELTS Writing Test is not as difficult as you would imagine. It just takes enough practice and preparation.

The good news is that this is not the first time you are writing, and for sure, you already have the knowledge and skills for it. You just need to review and apply them when you take the IELTS Writing Test. 

• Make sure you understand the concepts you are discussing :

“If you won’t be able to make a six-year-old understand it, you don’t comprehend it yourself,” Albert Einstein once stated.

Take time to mentally explain the notion to a six-year-old who lives inside your head before you begin writing. If you want to attain a specific outcome with your writing, consider what that result should be. Have a clear objective in mind before you start writing. Then stay with it.

• Learn how to brainstorm ideas and create an outline:

Unfortunately, having good English grammar and vocabulary is not enough. Because the IELTS examiner is evaluating your ability to generate cohesive and orderly responses, you should practice thinking of themes to write about. As a result, you should practice brainstorming and outlining ideas for your IELTS Writing Task 2 responses.

• Do not go overboard with your explanations:

You should keep things simple if you have taken the effort to organize your thoughts ahead of time.

The goal is to provide readers with just enough information to understand what you are saying without overwhelming them with unnecessary information. If you are getting bogged down with unnecessary details, consider whether each piece of information is necessary to help your reader understand your point. Otherwise, get rid of it.

• Avoid using too many prepositional phrases:

Prepositional phrases make your work overly wordy and difficult. It is a fact. Although prepositions are not difficult to grasp, they do necessitate some explanation. You should get clever about prepositions and strive to simplify them whenever possible. Your writing will gain a much-needed boost in clarity.

• Know your strategy:

Each IELTS Writing task necessitates a distinct strategy.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

You need to determine the major patterns and characteristics and rewrite the material from the task in the introduction using synonyms and grammar transformations. Describe only the facts that are relevant to the inquiry, not all of it. In conclusion, summarize the main themes from your body paragraphs.

IELTS General Training Writing Task 1  

You need to analyze the question and brainstorm ideas using bullet points. Design paragraphs by addressing your bullet points, and write the letter.

IELTS Writing Task 2

Rephrase the question in the introduction and construct a thesis statement based on your viewpoint. Write topic sentences outlining your essential points – one for each theme – and use one of them to begin each body paragraph. Use explanations and examples to support the main sentence in the rest of the paragraph; in conclusion, summarize your points.

• Improve your grammatical range and vocabulary:

Spend time reading different materials, such as commercials, articles, manuals, magazines, reports, and sample models from practice exams, in the weeks leading up to test day to learn new vocabulary in varied situations.

Practice making sentences with new words and difficult structures.

• Keep your sentences short and simple:

Long, complex sentences can be written with style by literary experts. It is easier to read shorter, less convoluted sentences. Keep things simple.

However, vary the length of your sentences to create a smooth flow in your writing.

• Practice, practice, practice: 

The best way to enhance your writing is to figure out what makes it weak in the first place and then work on addressing (and eventually preventing) the flaws. You will improve your writing, editing, and proofreading skills as you write, edit, and proofread more. Practice as often as you can. 

Before taking the IELTS Writing Test, you are advised to spend time reading the sample and model responses that receive high marks from the examiner. This will help you strategize and choose which technique to employ when you finally have to take the IELTS Writing Test. 

How Do I Write an Opinion Essay for IELTS?

To write an IELTS opinion essay task, you first need to read and understand the question. Then, you have to plan and draft what you need to include in the essay.

Next, you will write the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion of your essay. Make sure you meet the required number of words, at least 250 words. 

Can You Use Quotes, Idioms, or Proverbs in Your Essay?

In the IELTS Writing Test Task 2, you get a high score when you employ appropriate, natural language in the proper context.

As a result, avoid using quotes, idioms, or proverbs in your essays. Because these are not your own words, they are not appropriate for the IELTS Opinion Essay Task. Utilizing them in your essay will lead to low marks. 

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IELTS Writing Task 2

How to agree/disagree essay, reading and analysing the task, brainstorming ideas, formulating an essay plan.

• Structure of the task

Writing the introduction

• Writing the body paragraphs
• Writing the conclusion

Checking your answer

• Example essay Task 2

Have a look at the video to have a better understanding on how to deal with IELTS Writing Task 2

This is the first thing that needs to be done and how you start with any writing. You need to read the instructions carefully. Many students just start reading the first part, and then without really reading the rest start writing. Then they wonder why they perform so badly on the writing test. Very simple you didn’t read the question carefully and wrote something different. This will get your Task Achievement grade down, which in turn will bring your overall score down.  So, just read the question carefully, like in writing task 1, underline the key words and think of some synonyms.

So let’s start and  look at a sample question:

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programs (for example working for a charity, improving the neighborhood or teaching sports to younger children). To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.

Write at least 250 words.

The key words here are

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. (This is always written for the task, you could spend less time on it, but you do need the 40 minutes to score well on task 2 )

Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programs (for example working for a charity , improving the neighborhood or teaching sports to younger children ). To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answe r and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge. (This questions asks you to provide examples, from your own experience or knowledge , so it’s paramount that you provide these examples in your writing)

Write at least 250 words. (You always need to write at least 250 words, if you write less your Task Achievement score will go down )

The underlined words here are the key words and if you follow the links you will see some possible synonyms for some of the key words . Just remember you cannot always replace one word by another , there is context to think of, formality, collocations ,…)

Practice highlighting the key words in these Writing task 2 questions

When analysing the question it is crucial to also  understand which of the  5 question types   you are dealing with.  This is question type 1 agree/ disagree question (to what extent do you agree or disagree) . Knowing which   question type  you are dealing with will  save you time , as you now also  know the structure of the essay.

The synonyms  will be handy when you  start writing the essay , so you do not always repeat the same key words, this will make you  score better on your lexical resources.  You also need the  synonyms  when you are  paraphrasing the question in your introduction.

If you have issues with reading the task,  the best thing you can do is turn it into a question.

For this example  a possible question could be:

Do you agree that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programs?

The answer  to the question is  what you write about :

I think that unpaid community service should/ or should not be part of high school programs.

Don’t feel confident with  the 5 Question types ? Do some more  practice .

Practice turning the following task 2 assignments into questions.

Next , you just have to  brainstorm ideas  why they should or should not have these programmes.

You have read the question and understand what needs to be done, so now you need to start brainstorming ideas. Still, before you do this, in this question you need to say if you agree or disagree . So, first pick a side, either you agree, or you disagree, this will make brainstorming easier.

If you pick disagree: discuss why they should NOT be part of the programs

• Voluntary cannot be compulsory. For example when you tell teenagers you have to do this, they might start hating it, which will be counterproductive.
• Some children might be too young to deal with certain social situations. For example improving a neighborhood which has many drug issues.
• Children might not be properly trained for this and might need a lot of additional training. For example when becoming a social worker you need many years of education.
• Children are already overloaded with homework and have little time to enjoy and play and with extra volunteering they will have even less time.

These are just 4 possible ideas, you could have many more, in the end you just need 2 good ideas, 1 for each body paragraph.

If you pick agree: discuss why they should be part of the programs

• It will teach children some values. For example they will learn to understand that not you do not always receive money for doing something
• It will help them be more connected with the community. For example, instead of staying in their online bubble, they will connect more with the place and people they live with.
• It will teach them some skills which could later be transferred to the workplace. For example they will learn certain skills that might be useful for later at work, or which they can use when looking for their first job and put on their CV.
• They might learn to understand that their life isn’t so bad after all. For example, dealing with poverty might make the children appreciate their house, parents, school, toys, better.

Again 4 possible issues, I’m sure you could find more, but you only need 2 to discuss in your essay. 1 issue per paragraph.

As you can see with the brainstorming, there were some possible examples included. This is once more a crucial part of the task, as the question asked you to discuss and use some examples from your own experience or knowledge. So, do not wait to think of examples when you are writing, they need to be thought of during the brainstorming.

You now have brainstormed a few ideas, next is picking the 2 ideas you like the most, or the 2 ideas you think you can write about the most . All the other ideas you can forget.  

After you have brainstormed some ideas you need to formulate an essay plan . This is just extending your brainstorming and writing a rough sketch of your essay. As said before, you only need 2 ideas to write in your essay, so when you have selected the 2 best ideas of your brainstorming you can develop them. You can also do the brainstorming and developing at the same time , it doesn’t really matter, whatever works for you, but both parts are vital to be successful!

For example

Children spend a lot of time at school. When not at school they have a lot of homework. For example kids waking up early, going to extra classes, coming home late and no time to play.  Adding extra hours to this will only overload them even more. They need to first focus on school and have more time to play.

This is a rough sketch of the already overloaded idea and shows how you will develop your paragraph . Next , you do the same for the other paragraph . When done with your plan or outline you should start writing.

As you have 40 minutes to write 250 words . You can use upto 10 minutes to read the question, brainstorm, and formulate an essay plan. The more you practice the shorter this time will become and with a lot of practice you could bring it down to a little over 5 minutes.

The rough sketch is essential as it will provide you with the skeleton of your writing and while you are writing you will only need to focus on finding some good language to develop your arguments . Now you  can start writing your final version.

Structure of IELTS writing task 2

The IELTS task 2 essay is structured like any other essay, you just need to make it shorter and more compact , youonly have 250 words. The easiest is that you just write 4 paragraphs . If you focus on 5 paragraphs, you might not fully develop your arguments, which will bring your Task Achievement down. So here is the proper structure:

• Introduction (20 to 30 words)
• Body Paragraph 1 (at least 100 words)
• Body Paragraph 2 (at least 100 words)
• Conclusion (20 to 30 words)

Knowing the structure will again free up time that you can use to focus on your vocabulary . As said before the 5 different question types will determine the content of your paragraphs.

For the same example the structure will be:

• Introduction: paraphrasing the question and clearly stating your opinion (agree or disagree)
• 1st Body paragraph Agree/ disagree: 1st claim to backup your position
• 1st Body paragraph Agree/ disagree: 2nd claim to backup your position
• Conclusion: expressing your opinion some more and potential recommendations for the future

So when you agree, just 2 paragraphs to support your agree point of view . When disagreeing, just 2 paragraphs each supporting your disagree point of view . You could be in the middle and use 1 paragraph for agreeing and 1 for disagreeing, but this is a lot more difficult and for that you need to be a good writer. It is easier if you stick to 1 side, even when you personally think otherwise.

Next we will have a look at the different parts, while using the above provided volunteering essay question as an example.

You should keep your introduction for the IELTS essay short and to the point . Remember you only have 40 minutes to write the essay, and some crucial time must be spent planning . Therefore, you need to be able to write your introduction fairly quickly, so you can start focusing on the important parts of your essay, the body paragraphs.

You always have to include 2 to 3 parts:

• Say what the topic of the essay is while paraphrasing the question.
• (Depending on the question, clearly state your opinion)
• State what you are going to write about

It is extremely important that your introduction is clear that people can understand what you are writing about without having ever having seen the question . Therefore, when you reread your introduction you should make sure that all these essentials are covered.

Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programmes (for example working for a charity, improving the neighborhood or teaching sports to younger children).

Here is a possible example introduction for the above essay question about volunteering:

Children’s education has always been a highly debated issue , not only by the parents but also as a society in general . Every few years new ideas emerge and people want them to be included in the curriculum. One of these recent suggestions is to oblige young adolescents to perform voluntary community work such as working on social projects in their city. Personally, I think that forcing teenagers to commit to extra tasks would be counterproductive for the following reasons . (79 words)

Let’s have a look at the individual sentence of the introduction.

Children’s education has always been a highly debated issue , not only by the parents but also as a society in general.  

This is a general sentence to slowly introduce the topic of education before moving on to the real question. This is sometimes important as it sets the scene of the discussion, rather than being to the point .

Every few years new ideas emerge and people want them to be included in the curriculum .

Once more a more general sentence before moving onto the actual question. This is not always needed , but with this introduction it helps as a transition to go from the general point to the point question that will be discussed.

One of these recent suggestions is to oblige young adolescents to perform voluntary community work such as working on social projects in their city.

Here we are finally at the core of the question , which includes all the necessary elements of the task . Here the synonyms really start to be useful.

Synonyms or rephrasing from the question

• Some people believe that : One of these recent suggestions
• Compulsory: obliged
• high school programs: curriculum
• Unpaid: voluntary
• Community service: community work
• Improving the neighborhood: working on social projects in their city

The example above paints a very clear picture of how you can use synonyms or rephrasing to paraphrase.  

Personally, I think that forcing teenagers to commit to extra tasks would be counterproductive for the following reasons.

Here you are clearly stating that you disagree : counterproductive. You also mention that you will discuss why you think it is counterproductive: for the following reasons.

As you can see, when you include all essential parts of the introduction you are already well above your minimum word count (20-30 words) for the introduction. Next you need to develop your essay plan into 2 body paragraphs.

Writing your 2 body paragraphs

As mentioned before, for an IELTS task 2 essay, you should have 2 body paragraphs . Only If you are very good at writing in English and you really know what to write you could add a 3rd paragraph. Still, for 95% of the students just write 2 body paragraphs and only 2!

For your body, each paragraph should contain one main idea . You should start your paragraph with a linker, followed by a topic sentence . Next you should write about 2 sentences to support your central idea. Followed by about 2 sentences including your example defending your idea. Finally you would have 1 sentence to conclude your idea. You have to make sure that you write at least 100 words for each body paragraph.

As this essay is about agreeing or disagreeing you just focus on 1 of those either agree or disagree:

Now let’s develop your essay plan into a proper first body paragraph:

First body paragraph:

Firstly , children are already overloaded with too much work. Currently, children spend a lot of time at school, on top of that they have a lot of homework.  Additionally, schools are becoming more and more demanding and children have less and less time to play and be children. For example, there are children that I know who wake up before 6 to go to school and come back after 5 in the evening. Then their parents send them to other classes, such as dance, music, or even extra Math or English classes. Only to come home around 8, after which they still need to finish their homework, eat, and go to bed. Therefore, adding another few extra hours of voluntary work will not be helping them, it will only make them feel worse. (133 words)

The topic sentence:   Firstly, children are already overloaded with too much work. clearly states what the paragraph will be abou t, children have already too much to do and adding to it will only make it worse. The next sentence adds some support to that children have less time and schools are more demanding. The following 3 sentences are an extensive example to backup the main claim. Normally it is good to keep it down to 2 sentences, but here there it is no problem to extend it with 1 more sentence. The final sentence draws to a conclusion which clearly states why it is not a good idea do have children do extra volunteering. Finally, the whole paragraph is held together by some well chosen linkers (First, additionally, for example, therefore) . Once more a clear picture of a paragraph which includes all the necessary elements and is well above the minimum word count of 100 words for the paragraph.

 Second body paragraph:

Second , volunteering should be done of one’s own free will and making it mandatory defeats its purpose . Moreover, this is especially true when dealing with teenagers, which are notorious for hating anything that has to be done. For instance , when telling a teen that he or she will have to go clean up the neighbourhood because it will make the place better as well as make him or her feel better, the resentment will only grow . Therefore, it is paramount that volunteering should not be forced upon them, but rather give them some sort of choice. Providing options has more chance of fostering some responsibility , rather than being counterproductive.   (109 words)

The topic sentence again clearly states the content of the whole paragraph that mandatory and voluntary are 2 completely different things . The following sentence talks more specifically about teens , which is then followed by a clear 1 sentence example . Finally 2 sentences are used to draw to the conclusion that maybe it is a better idea to give them options, rather than forcing them. The following linkers ( second, moreover, for instance, therefore ) hold the whole paragraph together. It’s just over the suggested word count of 100, but with the long introduction and the meaty first paragraph this shouldn’t be a problem.

Don’t feel confident with Academic linkers ? Do some more practice .

Next we need to have a look at the conclusion.  

Writing a conclusion

The conclusion only needs to be one or two sentences , and you can do the following:

• Re-state what the essay is about (rewrite the last sentence of your introduction in different words)
• Give some thoughts about the future

Here is an example:

In conclusion (paragraph linker) , obliging children to volunteer outside school as part of their curriculum is an unhealthy idea (restatement) . However, I personally believe that volunteering could be part of a schooling program if it were offered on a free basis . Additionally, it should replace certain classes, instead of added to the already overtaxed time of the children.  ( personal opinion + advice for the future). (54 words)

When you are done with your writing you should always, and we mean always reread your answer and check for mistakes and repeating words you can upgrade with better synonyms. Therefore it is important that you do your writing in pencil , this makes it a lot easier to correct . The correction is essential as this will eliminate small stupid mistakes , which will improve your grammatical accuracy and spelling . The upgrading will improve your lexical resources . So if you take 2 to maybe 3 minutes to do this your overall score will dramatically improve and this is what you really want in the end, a better score.

Now we are finished and can have a look at the whole essay put together.

Example task 2 essay

Children’s education has always been a highly debated issue , not only by the parents but also as a society in general . Every few years new ideas emerge and people want them to be included in the curriculum. One of these recent suggestions is to oblige young adolescents to perform voluntary community work such as working on social projects in their city. Personally, I think that forcing teenagers to commit to extra tasks would be counterproductive for the following reasons .

Firstly , children are already overloaded with too much work. Currently, children spend a lot of time at school, on top of that they have a lot of homework.  Additionally, schools are becoming more and more demanding and children have less and less time to play and be children. For example, there are children that I know who wake up before 6 to go to school and come back after 5 in the evening. Then their parents send them to other classes, such as dance, music, or even extra Math or English classes. Only to come home around 8, after which they still need to finish their homework, eat, and go to bed. Therefore, adding another few extra hours of voluntary work will not be helping them, it will only make them feel worse

Second , volunteering should be done of one’s own free will and making it mandatory defeats its purpose . Moreover, this is especially true when dealing with teenagers, which are notorious for hating anything that has to be done. For instance , when telling a teen that he or she will have to go clean up the neighbourhood because it will make the place better as well as make him or her feel better, the resentment will only grow . Therefore, it is paramount that volunteering should not be forced upon them, but rather give them some sort of choice. Providing options has more chance of fostering some responsibility , rather than being counterproductive.

In conclusion , obliging children to volunteer outside school as part of their curriculum is an unhealthy idea . However, I personally believe that volunteering could be part of a schooling program if it were offered on a free basis . Additionally, it should replace certain classes, instead of added to the already overtaxed time of the children.

(376 words)  

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Writing Task 2

Have a look at the overview of Writing task 2 and what to expect

How to Writing Task 2

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IELTS Model Essay -Two Questions Essay Type

The IELTS Writing Task 2 Two Questions Essay: Causes & Positive/Negative Trends .

There are a number of different types of IELTS essay questions. There are Opinion Essays, Discussion Essays, Advantage/Disadvantage Essays, Solution (including Cause/ Solution) Essays and there are Direct Question Essays (such as the Two Question Essay). However, please note that different teachers use different names for essay types.

The model essay below looks at the Direct Question Essay which contains Two Questions. 

IELTS Essay Question  – Computer Games

More and more adults are playing computer games. Why is this happening? Is it a positive or negative trend?

The main topic in the essay question is Technology and the specific topic is Computer Games. It is a current essay question because it is about a current trend in the world today. I’ve provided a list of tips to help you tackle this type of essay question.

Points to Consider

• There is only one issue to tackle : computer games. This is lucky. It is an easy essay question. Some essay questions are more complex and have two separate issues to tackle.
• There are two questions to answer . I call this type of question a “Direct Question Essay”. The first question is about causes of the trend. The second question is about evaluating whether it is good or bad. Whenever you are asked to choose, it means you must give your opinion.
• Pay attention to the wording of the essay topic . This is about adults, not children. It is about computer games which some people consider are for children. Always pay attention to all keywords in the essay question when you brainstorm or you will go off topic. Ask yourself questions to stimulate ideas. Why are adults playing games on a computer? We know that children like to do this, but why are adults doing this? And is this good? Is it good that adults are playing computer games? If it is bad, why? 
• Next think about the concept of “computer games”. Spend time analysing the issue given . We often consider computer games to be silly entertainment fore children. But is that correct? Are all computer games actually silly? If we think about this carefully, we will realise that actually some computer games are complex and strategic. Some games require skill and intelligence to play. This means that the issue of computer games is not a simple one. Computer games are varied. Does this essay question apply to childish computer games or complex games? The answer is – it applies to both. So, now we know we can tackle this issue at a level of more depth. Getting to the depth of the issue is essential for a high score.  So, while we can see there is only one issue (computer games) that single issue is complex and can be divided into different aspects.
• After you brainstorm, choose the ideas that are the most relevant and the easiest to explain well. You don’t get a high score because you have lots of ideas. You get a higher score for presenting specific ideas which are well developed and highly relevant.
• If you have two questions to cover. It is logical to have two body paragraphs . Being logical in your choice of paragraphing is important. 
• Provide a clear position in your introduction as to whether you think this is a positive or negative point. Being clear in the introduction helps the examiner follow your body paragraphs more easily and this will increase your score. If you think it is positive – make it clear. If you think it is negative – say so. If you think “it depends” – make sure you word it clearly and explain it clearly in the body paragraphs. The easiest approach is a positive or negative one (a one-sided approach). The “it depends” approach is harder and requires stronger language skills. 

Model Essay: Computer Games (2024)

It seems that the current trend is for an increasing number of adults to enjoy playing computer games in their free time. With the development of game technology, it is hardly surprising that adults are playing games, but whether it is positive or negative depends on the games played and the time spent on them.

In terms of why so many adults are choosing to spend time playing computer games, it is mainly because the technology behind the games is becoming more sophisticated. Initially, when games first came out, they were very simplistic and appealed mainly to children. However, things have moved on since then and games have become visually appealing, very absorbing, require great dexterity and some also have a strategic challenge to them which adults particularly like. Such games can attract professional adults looking to hone tactics and skills to other adults wishing just to relax and switch off.

However, whether this trend in adults towards computer games is beneficial or not can be challenged. Some adults use complex, challenging games as a form of escapism which keeps their mind sharp and helps them relax at the same time. As long as the time spent on such games is balanced with other healthier pursuits, it can be constructive. Unfortunately, adults who ignore their physical health and spend too much time on mindless, repetitive games develop a sedentary lifestyle which can be detrimental to their wellbeing. 

In conclusion, computer games have become more fascinating and tempting to adults. While games that help develop tactics and knowledge might be advantageous, no game, particularly senseless games, should be played to excess and certainly should not replace healthier leisure activities.

Word count = 276 

IELTS Writing Task 2  Model Essays & Tips

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I received my IELTS result today and I scored 7.5 overall band score. I can’t thank you enough for your valuable help and guidance.

More than IELTS, I’m more confident than ever and look forward to continuing this learning further.

Thanks again and take care.

Best Regards, Kamlesh

I’m so pleased for you, Kamlesh! Very well done to you!! I do hope you continue learning. One day I plan to start an English Liz Youtube channel so that people can keep learning beyond their IELTS test 🙂

That would be perfect <3

Thank you so much, Liz. I really appreciate your fantastic work.

You’re welcome 🙂

Good evening Liz. I’m grateful for your guidance and tutelage as I scored 7.5 in my writing, 7.5 in speaking, 7.0 in listening and 6.0 in reading after just a short time with you. I’m optimistic in my next attempt I should get the desired scores. You’re a great teacher ma’am.

I wish you lots of luck in your next test 🙂

Rituparna Saha says April 5, 2024 Thank you Liz for all your support and guidance on Writing Task 2. I greatly appreciate your efforts.

I took my IELTS test a few days ago. The results are out and I got a band 7 in writing with an overall band 7.5 in just a week. For writing I only watched your videos and took notes of all the points you taught. I did not even practice writing much, just referred to your videos and read all the materials on the website. Your content is pure gold and you are an amazing teacher. Ilysm

Very well done with your results!! Many people struggle to hit band 7 in writing. Congrats!

this is Soo nice Liz I have been following you and your materials are helpful kindly would like to know where I can download the Cambridge book or if you can share any regards Hellen

The IELTS Cambridge Test Books are copyrighted so I can’t share them. However, you can find new as well as second hand copies on Amazon or possibly in a local educational store.

I don’t feel the introduction is clear, and there is no clear opinion.

“it depends” indicates the opinion. It shows that the writer intends to be specific about when it is positive and when it is negative because their opinion covers both. This can often be the case with IELTS essays that require an opinion. You do not have to choose positive or negative and be 100% on one side. It is 100% acceptable in IELTS but it is a more difficult opinion to create if one’s English language isn’t strong.

Hello Liz, is it okay to write a contrast (one point) before the conclusion paragraph in agree or disagree essay? Thank you.

This is not an agree/disagree essay. The Opinion Essay is an agree disagree essay which requires you to agree, disagree or have a partial agreement with an opinion given by IELTS. That essay is not an Opinion Essay because you aren’t being asked to respond to an opinion given by IELTS. This essay is a Direct Questions Essay which may or may not require an opinion depending on the questions you are given. In an Opinion Essay, you introduce your opinion in the introduction and the whole essay explains your opinion. You can’t suddenly put a different opinion further down the essay. Your opinion must be consistent throughout the whole essay. I recommend you get my advanced lessons because they explain in detail how to tackle an Opinion Essay. You can find them in my online store: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Thanks a lot liz.

Hi dear Liz. Hope you are fast recuperating. I have written the following intro. ” There is a growing propensity among the youth to play computer games. This is due to indulgence of parents and can have possible detrimental effects.” I know you don’t comment on write ups, but this is with a hope, in case…

I’ll just make one comment. I made a list of points to consider. Point 3 was important. This isn’t about youths. It’s about adults, which means people in their early 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s etc. And because it is about adults, it cannot be related to “indulgence from parents”. If you make this mistake, most of your essay will be off topic. That is the reason I wrote point 3. Take a look again because it’s an important lesson to learn.

This writing test sample answer makes a whole lots of sense to me. Well appreciated 👍👍👍.

I’m glad it made sense. IELTS isn’t difficult once you understand more about the test and the aims you should have.

Hi, Due to the financial crisis, I lacked many things like IELTS practice/preparation classes and missed many classes from a good teacher like you.

therefore, if you have any better offer like a full free studentship & give me the opportunity. Thank you in advance for your kind coope

This website has hundreds of page of free practice lessons, tips, topics, videos, advice, information, model answers etc. Use them well. Learn from each page and take your time. Then use the IELTS Cambridge test books for full test practice at home.

Thank you so much Liz for your valuable tips and techniques 🙏❤️

I’m glad it was helpful 🙂

Thank you for this it’s very helpful Liz. I greatly appreciate your efforts

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How to write an IELTS Task 2 causes and measures essay

By ielts-jonathan.com on 28 March 2023 0

What measures can be taken to reduce this essay

The advice I am giving here is only   the approach that I took to answering and writing this IELTS question from Cambridge English IELTS.

It is perfectly possible to answer the question differently with diffferent ideas and development.

However, I consider my aproach and structure to be the best method for the type of information and the time allowed to get a IELTS 7+ or more for this  question.

Thinking about the structure

1️⃣ Introduction: Start with a hook, provide background information, and clearly state your opinion/argument. Aim for 2-3 sentences.

2️⃣ Body paragraphs: Divide your essay into 2-3 body paragraphs, each with a clear topic sentence. In this example, you only need two body paragraphs : one to discuss the causes and then the second to discuss the possible measures. Use examples, data, and evidence to support your argument. Aim for 5-7 sentences per paragraph.

3️⃣ Conclusion: In a typical essay you should summarize your main points, restate your opinion/argument, and provide a final thought or recommendation. Aim for 2-3 sentences. In this example, a conclusion is not needed. 🙂 

📊 Measuring your writing: IELTS essays are graded based on 4 criteria: Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Make sure you address each of these criteria in your writing to maximize your score.

👍 Don’t forget to practice regularly and get feedback from a teacher or tutor to improve your writing skills.

Thinking about a plan

📝 Writing an IELTS essay for a cause can be challenging, but with the right planning and measurement, you can achieve success! Here are some tips:

1️⃣ Start by understanding the prompt and the cause you want to write about. This will help you stay focused and on-topic throughout your essay.

2️⃣ Make a plan for your essay. This should include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Decide what points you want to make and in what order you will present them.

3️⃣ Use evidence to support your points. This can include statistics, examples, and quotes from experts. Make sure your evidence is relevant to your cause and supports your argument.

4️⃣ Measure the effectiveness of your essay by reviewing it after you’ve finished. Ask yourself if you’ve made a clear and compelling argument, if your evidence supports your points, and if you’ve effectively addressed any counterarguments.

5️⃣ Finally, don’t forget to proofread your essay for grammar and spelling errors. These can distract from your message and hurt your overall score.

👍 With these tips, you can plan and measure your IELTS essay for a cause effectively. 

Writing: the process

First of all, I re-read the question to make sure I was on topic and then jotted down a few basic reasons for this development (and I noted a few expanding points with examples). 

I also did the same with the measures that could be taken – writing my proposal solution with an expanding point and examples as to how this would benefit workers and employees. 

Then I got to work on writing my hook and introductory paragraph . I decided to keep this quite short and to the point so I did not ramble .

I decided I would explain why this development has happened by contrasting typical past working conditions and patterns with the results of education, aspiration and opportunities that many people have nowadays .

I kept this as brief as I could while maintaining coherence so my point was clear.

I moved onto the first body paragraph that should deal with a more detailed explanation of the causes of the development.

I introduced and expanded on my first point that people who can afford to do so tend to move away from their work areas that have high pollution to suburbs with less pollution and better services. 

They may also move away and prefer to commute because the accommodation is more affordable.

I expanded on the idea that for some they may have to follow the relocation of their workplace and this might require them to travel a greater distance.

My final point was about developments in work and in the USA and UK at least, many people who work in service industries now need to commute to where large numbers of people gather such as airports, railway stations or entertainment areas of cities.

For my final paragraph , I realize I need to be more speculative and talk about proposals that some people may feel are not the best solution. 

So I should be cautious in my suggestions so I don’t spoil the tone of my essay.

I also realize that I should not be too specific and I don’t want to make proposals that are too personal to my situation as it is not the same for everyone!

Again, I follow my formula of introducing an idea , expanding on it and giving examples where I can.

I have four ideas in total:

1️⃣  near new factories or large workplaces, new housing for the people who work there could be built.

2️⃣  where people is lower paid work have to work where the cost of living is very high, subsidised accommodation might suit some people

3️⃣  improvements in transportation systems and infrastructure can speed up the travel time and potentially reduce the costs of travel and reduce the amount of time wasted through travel

4️⃣ finally, for some people in certain lines of work, it may be a suitable option to allow them to work at least some of the time from their home, reducing the need to waste time traveling to the workplace.

👍 There is no need to write a conclusion for a cause and measure essay as effectively the proposal in the measures section IS your conclusion . 🙂 

So now read my essay and see how I link all my points together . 

What IELTS band essay would this be?

IELTS Task 2 Cause and Measure Question

In many countries the distance that workes travel between their workplace has increased, so a lot of time is spent travelling to and from the workplace.

What do you think are the causes of this are?

What measures can be taken to reduce this time?

My Sample Answer for this IELTS question

In the past people often lived close to where they worked, for example in villages near to farms or in small towns by the sea where trade could provide work opportunities. In some cases, whole communities have grown up around industrialised areas, meaning there was little reason to travel far to work. However, with an ever increasingly educated population and changes in the type of employment, people may have access to better paid work which often requires travelling to other towns or bigger cities. Those with a good education may establish careers in the cities and afford the choice to live away from their work in the suburbs and countryside. They choose to commute as their families benefit from lower pollution and better services than found in the cities. Conversely, in cities where the cost of living is high, even those with quite well-paid jobs may find housing near their work unaffordable and may have to travel far to live where housing and rents are cheaper. For some people, traditional work has moved from the community or been transferred to other areas away from the home. In order to earn a living, they may find that it is necessary to travel longer distances while family or other commitments remain. Finally, working patterns and the type of work available may have changed. For those increasing numbers who work in service industries, travel is a requirement to the location where the customers are located. As the service industry traditionally provides low-paid jobs, travel is often required from affordable areas to city centres. A number of solutions could be suggested to reduce this travelling time depending on the circumstances. One suggestion could be that when building new factories or industrial areas, companies should consider providing low-cost housing nearby. This has been the case in the past where famous garden cities in the UK have been created for the local workforce. In some countries, companies already provide quality housing for their workers. Another suggestion could be that affordable good quality accommodation or housing aimed at workers in cities could mean that people in service industries are nearer the workplace during the working week. Investment in efficient, reliable and high-speed public transport could also reduce traffic congestion and shorten the time that workers spend travelling to and from work. A final suggestion for the type of work which does not require a physical presence is employers could encourage home working for employees. Tasks that rely on technology such as accountancy, on-line teaching or providing advice could be completed from home using basic technology, and activities such as conferencing and meetings can also be conducted on-line and at home as well. 445 Words

Second, simpler version 

People have often lived close to where they worked. In some cases, whole communities have grown up around industrialised or agricultural areas, meaning there was little reason to travel far to work. However, an ever increasingly educated population and changes in the type of employment may mean access to better paid work requires travelling to other towns or bigger cities. The educated may establish careers in the cities and choose to live away from their work in the suburbs or countryside, benefiting from lower pollution and better services than found in the cities. Conversely, even those with quite well-paid jobs may find housing unaffordable and will travel to where housing and rents are cheaper. For others, traditional work has moved from the community or been transferred to other areas which may require travelling longer distances. Finally, working patterns and the type of work available have changed. For those who work in generally low-paid service industries, travel is a requirement to where customers are located which is generally in unaffordable city centres.  A number of solutions could be suggested to reduce this travelling time depending on the circumstances. One suggestion is that when companies create employment opportunities, they could consider providing low-cost housing nearby as is the case where famous garden cities in the UK have been created for the local workforce. In some countries, companies already provide quality housing for their workers. Investment in efficient, reliable and high-speed public transport could also reduce traffic congestion and shorten the time that workers spend travelling to and from work.  A final suggestion could be that employers encourage home working for employees. As covid has shown, tasks that rely on technology such as accountancy, on-line teaching or providing advice or meetings can easily be completed from home using basic technology. Words 297

I’m Jonathan, an online-IELTS preparation specialist.

I help IELTS students achieve the IELTS score they need with courses , training, feedback and advice.

I have taught IELTS and University English in more than a dozen universities and schools around the world.

I’m a parent, traveller and passionate about language teaching and helping students achieve their dreams.

Whilst living in Austria or working in Asia, I run IELTS courses to help students get to where they want to be.

If you are serious about IELTS, connect with me to see how I can help you.

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Prevention Is Better Than Cure Essay Sample: IELTS Writing Task 2

Updated on Mar 08, 2024, 11:08

The prevention is better than cure essay  is one of the most popular topics discussed in the IELTS Writing Task 2. These are opinion-based essay-writing questions. You will be given a statement and asked to decide whether you agree or disagree with it. 

For example, in our context, we can ask questions like, “Is Prevention Better Than Cure? Do you agree or disagree?”

On This Page

1. Prevention is Better than Cure Essay: How to Answer?

The Prevention is Better Than Cure Essay is a subjective question and part of  IELTS Writing Task 2 . Your answer is based on your observations and personal opinion. For example, you may feel the cure is more important than prevention or that prevention is more important. In either of these instances, you will have your viewpoint.    

These subjective opinions might vary, but they all will follow the same approach.

2. Prevention is Better Than Cure Essay: Sample Answers

Find the Sample Answers for Prevention is Better Than Cure IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay here.

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Prevention is Better than Cure Essay: How to Answer?

Here is a standard format to write the prevention is better than cure essay questions:  

Introduction (2-3 Sentences):

• First of all, describe some general information regarding the topic. 
• Then elaborate on the “Prevention is better than cure " theme.
• Now, provide a small insight into whether you agree/disagree or slightly between the both. 

Example:   ‘Prevention is better than cure' is a famous saying emphasising the importance of preventive measures to reduce the chances of getting diseases. Maintaining good health is essential, and I agree that prevention is better than cure.  

Body Paragraph 1: Agree  

• Share your views on why you feel it is good to take preventive measures. 
• Support your view with an example to strengthen your argument.  

Example:   ‘Preventive measures like vaccinations for children have reduced the rates of life-threatening diseases. For instance, the Government of South Africa has driven many routine vaccinations, eliminating smallpox, measles, and wild polioviruses.’

Body Paragraph 2: Disagree  

• In this part, you must highlight why prevention is not the only possible solution for better healthcare.
• You can present the facts to show that providing better cures for diseases is essential to creating better healthcare facilities in our nation.   

Example:   ‘Although the preventive measures have been a great success for countries, many life-threatening diseases are spreading rapidly. For example, so many people across the world are suffering from cancer and heart attacks despite following the proper measures. Therefore, we must also invest in better healthcare treatment facilities to save lives.’  

Body Paragraph 3: Your Opinion   

• After describing both sides, you can now give your opinion in this paragraph. 
• Here, you can emphasise both aspects and give a balanced opinion.  

Example:   ‘Although prevention is essential, we must also strengthen the treatment facilities. In this way, we can prevent the spread of diseases and provide advanced treatment solutions to increase the success rates.’  

Conclusion (2-3 Sentences)  

• In this section, you need to summarise the key points of your essay.
• Now, highlight your opinion once again.
• Lastly, wrap up your essay with a positive note.  

Example:   ‘While the phrase ‘prevention is better than cure’ is true most of the time, prevention alone cannot help us tackle the healthcare challenges we face today. Therefore, the government should focus equally on preventive measures and supercharging treatment facilities. In this way, we will overcome our nation's healthcare issues and create a healthier society.’

Prevention is Better Than Cure Essay: Sample Answers

Sample Answer 1: When You Agree With The Statement  

The phrase “prevention is better than cure” is becoming more critical in this fast-paced world. Many people do not give enough attention to their health and suffer the consequences later. In this essay, I will discuss why prevention is better than cure and offer some insights. 

The government has to create better healthcare facilities if many people suffer from serious diseases. They need to invest large amounts of money to cure many people. However, we can slash it down by taking strong preventive measures. For example, the vaccination programme has reduced the number of children suffering from polio and smallpox.   

People can take better measures to prevent themselves from such diseases. For instance, they can adopt a better lifestyle, making them healthier and less prone to diseases. It can reduce the risk of life-threatening diseases like heart attacks, diabetes, and cancer. To create a better lifestyle, they can exercise regularly and eat high-fibre foods to stay healthy and immune from many diseases.  

On the other hand, regular checkups at various intervals can help detect diseases only at the initial stage. So, individuals can quickly cure themselves with essential treatment only. This proactive approach will help reduce the risks of major diseases and also save their resources.   

There are numerous benefits of taking active preventive actions rather than treatment. Both the citizens and government play a vital role in preventing diseases. The government can take better vaccination and other measures, and the citizens can follow a healthy lifestyle. 

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Q. What does prevention is better than cure mean in an essay?

A. In  IELTS essay writing , this topic means preventing something is far better than making it happen. For example, following preventive measures is better than suffering from the disease. These measures will save you from these negative consequences and help you stay healthy and fit. 

Q. What is the difference between prevention and cure IELTS?

These are two opposite aspects of a single essay. On the prevention side, you need to discuss preventive measures to prevent you from suffering from diseases. On the cure side, you will focus on the need for a better treatment facility to help the patients recover faster from the diseases. 

Q. Can you both agree and disagree on IELTS writing?

You can offer a balanced or neutral solution in your IELTS essay. For example, we can take a neutral stand in the ‘ Prevention is better than Cure' essay. We might partially agree on the need for prevention and also focus on the importance of treatment, which is equally essential for a healthy nation. 

Q. How strict is IELTS writing?

IELTS writing is not that strict. But yes, sometimes boundaries have to be followed in essay writing. You can invest up to 40 minutes to write and proofread your essay. Exceeding this time limit will reduce the time needed to cover the other sections and modules of the IELTS test. 

Q. How many paragraphs should I write in the IELTS Essay?

It all depends on your choice and the question's demands. For example, agree-to-disagree type questions require writing an introduction paragraph, a body section (2-3 paragraphs), and one conclusion paragraph. In either case, the whole essay should be 3 - 5 paragraphs in between. 

Q. How many words should I write?

You should aim for 275 - 280 words. The prescribed word limit is 250, but we suggest you write extra in the essay. It is because the number of words gets reduced while editing due to grammar, punctuation issues, etc., which might result in a mark deduction. Therefore, to avoid this, write something extra to remain at least 250 even after the editing. 

Q. What types of essays will I get in writing task 2?

Writing task 2 includes various types of essays. You can get essays based on discussions, problem-solving approaches, opinion writing, advantages and disadvantages, and direct questions. Whatever the question type, do not forget to practice it so that you are ready to work on the different types of essays. 

Q. Can I write Task 2 first in IELTS writing?

Yes, there are no strict rules for the IELTS exam. You can choose to write any part of the task at your convenience. However, most candidates usually forget the time constraints while not following the sequence. So please keep timelines in mind while writing the IELTS Task 2, which is 40 minutes long. 

Q. Do I need to write a conclusion in Task 2?

Yes, it is essential to write the conclusion in writing task 2. Take advantage of the part because it will heavily impact your band score. To report a better conclusion, you must provide a crux of all the points discussed in the topics. And always remember to make the last sentence positive and forward-looking.  

Q. How much is writing task 2 worth it?

Writing Task 2 is worth double the marks of Task 1, so it's essential for every IELTS candidate. It includes the essay writing task (like the one we discussed in this guide), which you should write in 250 words. So ensure you practice enough for it and get an excellent overall band score on the IELTS test. 

IELTS Writing: How to Use Academic Hedging in Task 2 Essays IELTS Podcast

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Unlock the secrets to enhancing your IELTS Writing Task 2 scores through academic hedging. Why Is Academic Hedging a Key to Higher IELTS Band Scores?   Mastering academic hedging can significantly impact your IELTS Writing Task 2 scores. This technique not only polishes your language but also embodies an academic tone, essential for achieving Band 7 and beyond. How Can Academic Hedging Propel Your Essay From Band 6.5 to Band 7? Academic hedging, by introducing nuanced language to express degrees of certainty, adds depth to your arguments, making a smooth transition from Band 6.5 to Band 7 achievable. What Role Does Grammatical Range and Accuracy Play? Subtle language adjustments in academic hedging not only convey complex ideas more effectively but also enhance grammatical range and accuracy, crucial for a higher score. Understanding the Importance of Distancing in Academic Writing Distancing from absolute statements without empirical evidence showcases your ability to approach topics with intellectual humility, reflecting critical thinking and Band 7 proficiency. Transforming Your Essays with Academic Hedging: Practical Examples See how academic hedging can transform statements, making your arguments more nuanced and academically rigorous: * Original: “Climate change is undoubtedly caused by human activities.” Hedged: “There is substantial evidence to suggest that human activities may significantly contribute to climate change.” * Original: “Technology always improves the quality of life.” Hedged: “In many instances, technological advancements have been observed to enhance the quality of life.” * Original: “Education is the only solution to societal problems.” Hedged: “Education is widely regarded as a potential catalyst for addressing various societal challenges.” Concluding Thoughts on Mastering Academic Hedging Integrating academic hedging into your essays not only boosts grammatical accuracy and coherence but also adds sophistication, leading to an improved band score. You can download or listen to the audio version here: | Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify | Transcript available by clicking here. Related Articles * IELTS Writing Task 2 Strategies * Top IELTS Speaking Tips * Effective IELTS Reading Tips Explore More Discover more about academic writing at Harvard University’s Writing Center. Share this article: Link to Article About the Author: Ben Worthington, founder of IELTSPodcast, has dedicated his career to helping students achie...

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IELTS Writing Task 2/ Essay Topics with sample answer.

Ielts essay # 1505 - the education of young people is highly prioritized, ielts writing task 2/ ielts essay:, the education of young people is highly prioritized in many countries. however, educating adults who cannot write or read is even more important, and governments should spend more money on this., to what extent do you agree or disagree.

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Latest IELTS questions from the UAE – April 2024 (Academic Module)

• Recent IELTS exams

Our student ZA has taken IELTS in the UAE very recently and remembered the following topics and questions:

Speaking test

Passage 1. A text about childhood in the past. Passage 2. A text on people’s ability to multitask. Passage 3. How storing food helped Egypt survive in times of hardship.

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

The chart below shows the amount of tea and coffee imported by Canada, UK, USA and Germany in 2007 in tonnes.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

* Note: this isn’t the original chart given in the test, it was recreated for the purpose of demonstration.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

These days many young people are spending less time doing outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain climbing, and enjoying nature. What are the reasons for this? How can we encourage them to do more of these activities?

Read a Band 8 answer here

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