IELTS · Guide 7 · 5 min read
IELTS Writing Task 2: the essay types, structure and timing
IELTS Writing Task 2 explained: the main essay question types, a clear four-paragraph structure, 250 words in 40 minutes, and common mistakes.
What Task 2 asks you to do
Writing Task 2 is an essay. It is the same kind of task in IELTS Academic and General Training, though Academic topics tend to be slightly more abstract. You must write at least 250 words, and you should spend about 40 minutes on it.
Task 2 is worth twice as much as Task 1 in your Writing score. If you have to cut time from one task, cut it from Task 1.
You are given a statement or question on a topic of general interest, such as education, work, technology, health, cities or the environment. No specialist knowledge is needed. The examiner wants to see you present a clear position, support it with reasons and examples, and organise your writing well.
The main question types
| Type | Typical wording (invented) | What you must do |
|---|---|---|
| Opinion | "To what extent do you agree or disagree?" | Give a clear view and keep it throughout |
| Discussion | "Discuss both views and give your own opinion." | Cover both sides fairly, then state where you stand |
| Advantages and disadvantages | "Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?" | Weigh both and give a judgement |
| Problem and solution | "What problems does this cause, and how can they be solved?" | Identify problems and match each to a solution |
| Two-part question | "Why is this happening? Is it a positive development?" | Answer both questions fully |
Read the question twice. Many low scores come from answering a similar question rather than the one on the page.
Exam tip: underline every part of the question. A discussion question has three jobs: view one, view two and your own opinion. Missing any one weakens your Task Response score.
A reliable structure
A four-paragraph essay works for almost every question type.
- Introduction (2 to 3 sentences): restate the topic in your own words and state your position or what the essay will do.
- Body paragraph 1: one main idea, explained and supported with an example.
- Body paragraph 2: a second main idea, or the other side of the argument, explained and supported.
- Conclusion (2 to 3 sentences): sum up your position. Do not add new ideas.
Each body paragraph should follow a simple pattern: a topic sentence that states the point, one or two sentences that explain it, an example, and a link back to the question.
An invented example
Question: "Some people believe all university courses should be free. To what extent do you agree or disagree?"
A clear introduction might read:
Whether higher education should cost students nothing is a widely debated question. While free tuition would widen access, I believe a fully free system is difficult to fund fairly, and that targeted support is a better approach.
The position is stated plainly, and the reader knows what the essay will argue.
Developing ideas
The difference between a middle and a high score is often development. Stating a point is not enough. Explain why it is true, show what follows from it, and give an example.
- Weak: "Free tuition helps poor students."
- Developed: "Free tuition would remove the largest barrier facing students from low-income families. Many able school leavers currently decide against university because they fear years of debt, so removing that cost would let ability, rather than income, decide who studies."
Examples can be general or invented; they do not need to be real statistics. Avoid making up precise figures that sound like facts.
Common mistakes
- No clear position in an opinion question, or a position that changes halfway through.
- Too many ideas, none developed. Two well-explained points beat five listed ones.
- Memorised phrases that do not fit the topic, which examiners recognise easily.
- Writing well under 250 words. Short essays lose marks on Task Response.
- Going off topic. Writing about education in general when the question is about online courses.
- Using bullet points or notes. The essay must be in full sentences and paragraphs.
Timing in 40 minutes
| Step | Time |
|---|---|
| Read the question, decide your position, plan two main ideas | 5 to 7 minutes |
| Write the essay | 28 to 30 minutes |
| Check for errors, missing words and paragraph breaks | 3 to 5 minutes |
Exam tip: many candidates start with Task 2 because it carries more marks. You are allowed to do the tasks in either order; just keep an eye on the clock.
How it is marked
Task 2 is marked on four equal criteria: Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Task Response looks at whether you answered every part of the question, gave a clear position and developed your ideas. Our guide to the Writing band descriptors explains each criterion in plain words.
For the current rules, check ielts.org.
Check yourself
- What is the minimum word count for Task 2, and how long should you spend?
- How much more does Task 2 count than Task 1?
- What three things must a discussion essay include?
- What makes an idea "developed" rather than just stated?
- Should a conclusion introduce a new argument?
More IELTS guides are on the IELTS hub.