IELTS Writing Task 2: The Essential

Guide

Section 4, Lecture 18
Welcome to my complete guide to IELTS Writing Task 2. IELTS Writing Task 2 is one of the
most important parts of the IELTS test. Task 2 is worth twice the marks of Task 1, so a bad
Task 2 essay will reduce, not only your writing band score, but your overall IELTS band
score.

So do it right! This guide will show you how!

Note: General Training v Academic IELTS

The information in this guide is for both the Academic and the General
Training IELTS. Task 2 essays in the General Training IELTS and Academic IELTS are very
similar. The topics in the General Training exam are usually more familiar, while the tasks in
the Academic test can be more abstract. However, you should follow the same structure and
use similar language. IELTS examiners also use the same assessment criteria when they
assess the tasks.
IELTS Writing Task 2: what do you have to do?

In task 2 of the IELTS writing test, you have to write an academic-style essay on an
everyday topic, such as the environment, health or education.

The essay should be at least 250 words long.

You should spend about 40 minutes on Task 2.

The Writing Task

The task is written in two parts:

1. The Discursive Statement

In the exam question, you are shown a discursive statement. This could be an opinion, two
opposing opinions, a factual statement or a problem. For example:

An opinion
There is no need to telephone people any more. We can simply use email,
instant messaging and SMS.
Two opposing opinions

Some people view conflict between teenagers and their parents as a

normal part of growing up, while others view it as something negative which
should be avoided.
Factual statement

Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign
language at primary schools rather than secondary school.
A problem

Global warming is one of the biggest threats humans face in the 21st
Century and sea levels are continuing to rise at alarming rates.
2. Your response to the statement

You then respond to this statement in some way. You might have to give your own
opinion, or discuss the advantages and disadvantages of something, or discuss the
two sides of an argument. Here are some examples of full questions:

Agree-disagree

There is no need to telephone people any more. We can simply use email,
instant messaging and SMS.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Discuss 2 sides

Some people view conflict between teenagers and their parents as a

normal part of growing up, while others view it as something negative which
should be avoided.
Discuss both sides of this argument and then give your own opinion.
Advantages and disadvantages
Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign
language at primary schools rather than secondary school.
Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
A solution

Global warming is one of the biggest threats humans face in the 21st
Century and sea levels are continuing to rise at alarming rates.
What problems are associated with this and what are some possible
solutions.
Common topics

I've asked my students which are the most common topics in IELTS Writing Task 2. Here's
what they told me: education, the environment / natural world, technology and health are the
most common topics. Together, they account for two-thirds of all Task 2 topics.
This means that to do your best, you should focus on learning vocabulary related
to education, the environment / natural world, technology and health.
7 step approach to writing a great IELTS essay

Writing an IELTS essay is quite a challenge. Like any difficult task, you should break it down
into smaller chunks. I tell my students to break the writing process down into 7 easy steps.

Here is a 7 step approach for an argument-led (2 sides of the argument) essay. Since you
can (almost) always write an argument-led essay in the IELTS writing test, this method
works for (almost) all IELTS essays.

1. Read the question carefully. What is the topic? What is your task?

2. Think about your response to the question. What is your opinion/position?

3. Make some notes: why do some people take one side of the argument; why do
some people take the opposing view; what is the reason for your view. Come up
with 1 to 3 reasons for each.

4. Structure your essay: organize your ideas into 4 paragraphs. Paragraph 1:

introduction; Paragraph 2: one side of the argument; Paragraph 3: the other side of
the argument; Paragraph 4: conclusion and your opinion.

5. Brainstorm good language.

6. Write your essay!

7. Check your essay for mistakes in grammar and spelling.