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Mastering IELTS Writing Task 2

Your comprehensive guide to understanding, preparing for, and excelling in the IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 essay.

What is IELTS Writing Task 2?

In IELTS Academic Writing Task 2, you will be presented with a point of view, argument, or problem. You will need to write an essay in response, giving your opinion, discussing advantages and disadvantages, solving a problem, or agreeing/disagreeing with a statement.

  • Word Count: You must write at least 250 words.
  • Time Allotment: It's recommended to spend about 40 minutes on this task, as it contributes more to your overall Writing band score than Task 1.
  • Format: A formal, academic essay structure is expected.

This task assesses your ability to present a clear, well-supported argument or discussion, organize ideas logically, use appropriate vocabulary and grammar, and write in an academic style.

Key Assessment Criteria

Your Task 2 essay is marked based on four key criteria. Understanding these will help you focus your preparation:

  • Task Achievement: Did you fully answer all parts of the prompt? Is your position clear and well-developed?
  • Coherence and Cohesion: Is your essay logically organized with clear paragraphing? Are your ideas linked effectively using cohesive devices?
  • Lexical Resource: Do you use a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately, including less common lexical items?
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Do you use a variety of complex sentence structures accurately and with good control?

Each criterion accounts for 25% of your Task 2 score, which directly impacts your overall Writing score.

Common Essay Types in Task 2

While the prompts vary, they generally fall into several common categories. Familiarizing yourself with these will help you structure your responses effectively.

Opinion/Argumentative Essays

You are asked to state your opinion on a given issue and support it with reasons and examples.

Agree/Disagree

Discussion Essays

You need to discuss two opposing views before giving your own opinion (or not, depending on the prompt).

Discuss Both Views

Problem/Solution Essays

Identify problems related to a topic and propose solutions, explaining their potential effectiveness.

Causes & Solutions

Advantage/Disadvantage Essays

Discuss the pros and cons of an issue and sometimes state whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Pros & Cons

Direct Questions/Two-Part Questions

The prompt asks two specific questions, and you must answer both parts adequately in your essay.

Answer Both Questions

Ready to Improve Your Writing?

Explore our collection of IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. Learn from examples, practice your skills, and get closer to your target band score.

Browse Practice Essays

Essential Tips for Success

Understand the Prompt

Read the question carefully to identify all parts you need to address. Misinterpreting the prompt is a common mistake.

Plan Your Essay

Spend 5-10 minutes brainstorming ideas and outlining your essay structure (introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion).

Develop Clear Ideas

Each body paragraph should focus on one main idea, supported by explanations and specific examples.

Use Cohesive Devices

Connect your ideas smoothly using linking words and phrases (e.g., however, therefore, in addition).

Vary Sentence Structure

Show off your grammatical range by using a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences.

Proofread Your Work

Allocate 2-3 minutes at the end to check for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and punctuation issues.