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By the end of the lesson, students will be able to write coherent essays focusing on Task 2 of the IELTS writing module, utilizing appropriate vocabulary, grammar, and structure.

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What makes an IELTS essay effective in terms of structure, argument, and language?

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Introduce the 4-part structure for IELTS Task 2 essays: Introduction, Supporting Paragraph 1, Supporting Paragraph 2, Conclusion. Discuss essential elements like thesis statement, topic sentences, and cohesive devices. Use outlines or organizers for visual scaffolding.

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When helping students prepare for the IELTS test, one of the biggest fears is how to do well in IELTS Writing Task 2.
IELTS Writing Task 2 is the second part of the writing test, where you are presented with a point of view, argument or problem and asked to write an essay in response. Your essay should be in a formal style, at least 250 words in length and you should aim to complete it in under 40 minutes.
IELTS Writing Task 2: Everything You Need to Know

In this video, I'll outline exactly what you must do to create an IELTS Writing Task 2 essay that could score a Band 7, 8 or 9.

It doesn't matter if you're new to IELTS or if you've failed the exam before - I've broken everything down into a simple 3-step process that anyone can use to improve their scores! Watch the video above to find out what they are.

5 Steps to a Band 7 in IELTS Writing Task 2
1. Understand the question.
You must understand the question before you attempt to answer it. This way, you'll know exactly what the examiner is looking for. One of the biggest mistakes students make is not answering the question fully, which stops them from getting a score higher than a Band 5.

To analyse the question, you must first identify the question type, then identify the keywords in the question and finally identify the instructions words. This will help you understand exactly what the examiner wants you to do with the question.
2. Plan your answer.
The students who get the highest marks in Writing Task 2 always plan their answers for up to 10 minutes. Planning helps you organise your ideas and structure your essay before you write it, saving you time and helping you produce a clear and coherent essay.
3. Write an introduction.
The introduction should answer the question directly. This tells the examiner that you know what you are doing straight away and helps you write your main body paragraphs.
4. Write the main body paragraphs.
This is where you give the examiner more detail. You do this by stating your main points and supporting these with explanations and relevant examples.

In your conclusion, you should provide a summary of what you already said in the rest of your essay.

4 Ways to Improve your Score in IELTS Writing Task 2

Many people know they need to improve their writing skills but don't know how to do it. Here are 4 ways you can boost your score in Writing Task 2:

You must first understand what IELTS Writing Task 2 is, what you are expected to do and how to give the examiners what they want. This is the first stage and one that is often overlooked.

There are many online resources, often with conflicting and poor-quality information, so finding a reliable source of information is key.
2. Identify your weak areas.
If your car breaks down, you would try and identify which part caused the problem. If you get sick, your doctor will run tests to determine the exact cause of your symptoms.

IELTS Writing Task 2 is the same. We must first identify WHY you are not getting the score you need before we can help you improve.

However, be very careful! You wouldn't ask the average man on the street for medical advice, so make sure you find someone who knows what they are doing and has the expertise to help you with this.
3. Fix the problems.
Now that we know what the problems are, we must fix them.

If your grammar needs work, fix those issues. If your vocabulary is lacking, work on fixing this issue.

Just as a good doctor can help you fix a medical problem, a good IELTS teacher can help you fix your specific issues.
4. Practice and get feedback.
Practice alone will not help you. It is an essential part of your preparation, but you must also get feedback on your work if you are really going to improve.

You wouldn't try to teach yourself how to drive without an instructor, would you?

Find someone who will give you accurate and helpful feedback on your work. Otherwise, you will not be able to move to the last stage.
Now that you have understood what you need to do, identified the exact areas you need to work on, improved those areas, and received feedback on your work, you are now ready to get the IELTS Writing Task 2 score you deserve.

Writing Task 2 Structures

I want to warn you about structures because they are not a magic wand that will help you automatically get a higher score. They WILL help you, but please realise that they are just a small part of your overall score.

These structures provide a sentence-by-sentence template for all the main Task 2 question types, making your job much easier on exam day.

Essential Writing Task 2 Skills

No matter how good your English is, you must still learn IELTS writing skills before taking the Writing Task 2 test. These helpful guides will take you through each of these skills step-by-step:

Making a good plan actually saves you time when you write your essay. This guide will show you how to plan and write a clear essay every time.

This guide provides 5 different methods to help you quickly think of relevant ideas that are directly linked to the question.

Complex sentences help you boost your score for grammar. They are actually very simple to write and are not complex at all.

Paraphrasing is one of the essential IELTS skills for all parts of the IELTS test. You should paraphrase the question in the very first sentence of your essay to help boost your vocabulary score in Writing Task 2.

Supporting paragraphs are the main body paragraphs and are the meat in the sandwich. This is where you provide the detail the examiner is looking for in the form of explanations and examples.

A thesis statement tells the examiner your opinion. Many IELTS Writing Task 2 questions specifically ask for your opinion, and if you don't write it clearly, you have not answered the question properly. This article shows you how, where and when to give your opinion.

Around 250 words? Exactly 250 words or over 250 words? How many words over? How do I know how many words I have? Will I lose marks if I write too many words? This article answers all those questions.

A critical part of answering any question. This article shows you how to break down any Task 2 question and identify the keywords, micro-keywords and instruction words to help you answer the question effectively.

The introduction is the first thing the examiner reads; therefore, we must give them a good first impression. I share a very specific sentence-by-sentence structure in this article to help you write introductions quickly and effectively.

Do you know how Task 2 is marked? What is the difference between a Band 5 and a Band 8 answer? This article breaks down the marking criteria and explains it in simple language so you can give the IELTS examiners exactly what they want.

A good conclusion should be a summary of your main points. The conclusion is the last thing the examiner reads, and if you can write a good one, you will leave them with a very good impression.

Each of your supporting paragraphs should have a specific example that supports and illustrates your main point. This is an essential skill to learn if you want to get one of the higher band scores.

Cohesive devices (sometimes called linking words) are one of the most misunderstood and misused elements of writing. Therefore, you must learn how to use them and when to use them.

While synonyms are very important, they can also really reduce your mark if used incorrectly.

This article will show you how to make your writing as clear and as easy to read as possible. It will also advise you on whether to use a pen or pencil.

Read this blog now to access our 61-page Task 2 strategy.

I have compiled these tips after years of teaching IELTS, and all of them have been approved by IELTS examiners.

This is a video lesson that shows you in practical terms how to improve your coherence and cohesion score.

Writing Task 2 Common Topics

Knowing the common topics can help you prepare for the test more efficiently. Here are the 10 most common topics over the last few years. Studying hard is great, but don't forget to study smart.

The article below will show you the top 10 most common IELTS topics.

Full IELTS Writing Task 2 Practice Lessons

Here are some lessons that I have used when teaching students about IELTS Writing Task 2. I have changed them so that you can easily learn from home. They are very long but contain all the necessary information combined with the skills above.

In this lesson, we look at how to tackle an 'agree or disagree' question. Many people worry about whether to take one side of the other or discuss both sides. Additionally, people also worry about how to deal with 'To what extent' question types. We allay all of these fears in this lesson.

'Discuss both views' questions often confuse people because you are asked to do many things in one essay. As such, it is very important to remember that the question asks you to discuss BOTH views AND give YOUR opinion.

These questions are much easier than you think. You probably discuss problems and solutions in your day-to-day life all the time. Keep it simple.

There are a couple of different types of advantages and disadvantages questions. This lesson will show you how to answer them.

Writing is a skill, and just like any other skill, it is important to practice to improve.

This is my most comprehensive free lesson on IELTS Writing Task 2. We show you how we took one VIP student from Band 6.5 to an amazing 8.

Sample Answers

You must have some good examples to compare your writing and see if you are on the right track. Click the link below for lots of sample answers and over 100 questions.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Essential Information

1. You must write an essay in response to a question.

2. You must write 250 words or more.

3. Task 2 is worth 2/3 of your total mark on the Writing test.

4. You should spend around 40 minutes on this part of the test.

5. General Training and Academic are essentially the same for Task 2. However, they are different for Task 1.

6. There are certain types of questions that you will be asked, for example, opinion, discussion etc. See below for more detail on these.

7. You will be assessed in four areas:

1. Task Achievement (25%)

2. Coherence and Cohesion (25%)

3. Lexical Resource (25%)

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy (25%)

Grammar and Vocabulary

Grammar is one of the four things you will be marked on in the Writing Task 2 test. Finding out what your common grammar mistakes are and then fixing them is a very powerful way to boost your score in this area. Here are some common grammar mistakes I have found after making hundreds of tests.

For most IELTS students, the problem is not grammar in general. In fact, it is usually just 1-2 problem areas. Therefore, when you fix these main weaknesses, you'll be able to improve your grammar and your writing score dramatically.

Hint- They aren't as big of a deal as you think.
See the interactive tool below for the answers to the most commonly asked questions we receive about IELTS Writing Task 2:
IELTS Writing Task 2 FAQs

How can I improve my writing?
Writing Task 2 Task 2 5 Day Challenge Task 2 Essay Builder
How can I get a Band 7, 8 or 9?

Can you correct my writing?

Sure!
Writing Correction Service
Do you have any sample answers?

Will using 'high level' or 'academic' words help me improve my score?

Can I use idioms?

Can I use personal pronouns?

Do you write a conclusion for Task 2?

How many paragraphs should I write?
5 Day Challenge
Do I need to plan my essay?

How many words should I write?

Will I lose marks if I don't write enough words?

Can I use contractions?

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IELTS Writing Task 2: ✍️ Everything You Need to Know

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Get your dream IELTS Writing Task 2 score with our ultimate guide. Learn effective strategies, Band 9 essays, and get the score you need.

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Students form pairs to analyze a sample IELTS essay. They highlight thesis statements, topic sentences, and transition phrases while discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the essay.

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Here you will find IELTS Sample Essays for a variety of common topics that appear in the writing exam.

The model answers all have tips and strategies for how you may approach the question and comments on the sample answer.

You can also view sample essays with band scores on this page.

Looking at IELTS essay topics with answers is a great way to help you to prepare for the test.

These IELTS sample essays have been categorised in a way that makes it easy for you to see how certain essay question types require you to provide certain responses to ensure the question is fully answered.

Specifically these are:

Agree / Disagree Type Questions

In these types of question you are given one opinion and you then have to state the extent to which you agree or disagree with that opinion:

Discuss Two Opinions Type Questions

In this essay question type you are given two opinions, and you have to discuss both of these and then give your own view:

Cause Type Questions

There are a variety of 'cause type' essay questions. In these you first have to give the reasons why something has happened, in other words the causes, but then discuss a different aspect of it, such as the effects, solutions or the extent to whether it is a positive or negative development:

Causes & Effects:

Causes and Solutions:

Causes, Pros & Cons:

Problems & Solutions Type Questions

In these type of questions, instead of discussing the causes of a problem, you need to discuss the problems related to a particular issue in society, and then suggest what can be to solve these problems:

Advantage & Disadvantages Type Questions

In these type of questions you are asked to discuss the positive and negative sides of a particular topic. You will usually be asked this in the context of giving an opinion ( e.g. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?):

'Hybrid' Types of Essay Question

There are sometimes questions that don't fit easily into a particular category as above. I've called these 'hybrid', as they are of mixed character, are composed of different elements from other types of essay, or are perhaps just worded differently.

Sample Essays with Band Scores

You can also view some sample essays that have been written by candidates practising for the test and have band scores and comments by an experienced ex-IELTS Examiner based on the IELTS marking criteria.

Student Sample Essays

For more IELTS essay topics with answers you can also view essays that have been written by students. Some have feedback from other students or IELTS teachers:

Comments

Any comments or questions about this page or about IELTS? Post them here. Your email will not be published or shared.

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Looking at IELTS sample essays is an excellent way to learn how to improve your score. Here you can view a variety of IELTS essay topics with answers to help you prepare for the Test.

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Students write an outline of an essay based on the prompt: 'Some people think that university education should be free for everyone. To what extent do you agree or disagree?'

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Each student writes a full essay based on the outline they created during guided practice. Encourage them to apply feedback from the group exercise.

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You will be allowed 1 hour to complete two tasks in the IELTS Academic Writing test.

The two parts of this practice Writing test are presented on two separate web pages. Make sure you move swiftly from one page to the next so that your practice is as realistic as possible. If you prefer to work offline, download the test paper.

In the actual test you will do your writing in an answer booklet.

Timing

The total time allowed for the IELTS Academic Writing test is 60 minutes. Time yourself and allow just one hour to complete both parts of the test.

Task 2 contributes twice as much as task 1 to the Writing score.

Writing task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on task 1

write in a formal style

write at least 150 words

Writing task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on task 2

write in a formal style

write at least 250 words

Instructions to candidates

In the actual test you will be given the following instructions:

do not open this question paper until you are told to do so

write your name and candidate number in the spaces at the top of this page

read the instructions for each task carefully

answer both of the tasks

write at least 150 words for task 1

write at least 250 words for task 2

write your answers in the answer booklet

write clearly in pen or pencil; you may make alterations, but make sure your work is easy to read

At the end of the test, hand in both the question paper and your answer booklet.

Review

Once you have completed both tasks, review your work. Download the model answers to see good examples of how to complete the Writing test.

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Free Online IELTS Academic Writing Practice Tests | Take IELTS

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If you're looking to complete an IELTS Academic Writing exam then try out these free online IELTS Writing practice tests.

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Students who complete the main essay task practice writing a second essay on a different prompt while incorporating a wider range of vocabulary and complex sentence structures.

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Below are practice IELTS essay questions and topics for writing task 2. The 100 essay questions have been used many times over the years. The questions are organised under common topics and essay types. IELTS often use the similar topics for their essays but change the wording of the essay question.

In order to prepare well for writing task 2, you should prepare ideas for common topics and then practise applying them to the tasks given (to the essay questions). Also see model essays and tips for writing task 2.

Below you will find:

1. Essay Questions By Topic

2. Essay Questions by Essay Type

Please also note that my new Grammar E-book is now available in my store along with my Ideas for Essay Topics E-book and Advanced Writing Lessons. To visit store, click here: Liz's Store

1) Common IELTS Essay Questions

IELTS practice essay questions divided by topic. These topics have been reported by IELTS students in their tests. Essay questions have been recreated as accurately as possible.

2) IELTS Essay Questions by Essay Type

There are 5 main types of essay questions in IELTS writing task 2 (opinion essays, discussion essay, advantage/disadvantage essays, solution essay and direct question essays). Click on the links below to see some sample essay questions for each type.
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Below are practice IELTS essay questions and topics for writing task 2. The 100 essay questions have been used many times over the years. The questions are organised under common topics and essay types. IELTS often use the similar topics for their essays but change the wording of the essay question.

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Monitor and give feedback during the students’ group discussion and outline exercises to track their understanding and application of the writing techniques.

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Collect and review the essay outlines to ensure students understood the structure and requirements for Task 2 writing.

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Evaluate the final essays written by students using the IELTS Task 2 band descriptors to assess coherence, cohesion, task achievement, lexical resource, and grammatical range.

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Students discuss their essays in small groups, sharing one strength and one challenge they faced in writing their essays.

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Each student writes down two things they learned and one question they still have about IELTS writing.

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Revise the essay you wrote in class today by incorporating teacher feedback and improving focus on lexical variety and grammar accuracy.

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Complete two practice essays using IELTS online platforms like IELTS-blog.com or British Council resources.