IELTS Writing Task 2

The five question types

Misreading the type is the most expensive mistake in Task 2 — it means answering a question nobody asked, which caps Task Response however good your English is.

• Discussion Essays

  16

  Covers both sides, then commits. The one type where forgetting your own opinion is the standard failure.

  “Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.”

• Opinion Essays

  33

  Take a position and defend it. The most common Task 2 type, and the easiest to ruin by sitting on the fence.

  “To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

• Advantages and Disadvantages Essays

  6

  Two versions that look alike and need different answers. Mixing them up is the classic error.

  “What are the advantages and disadvantages?”

• Problem and Solution Essays

  4

  Causes then measures. Solutions have to answer the causes you actually raised.

  “What problems does this cause and what solutions can you suggest?”

• Two-Part Questions

  9

  Two direct questions, often unrelated. Both need answering, at roughly equal length.

  “Why is this happening? Is it a positive or negative development?”

The number on each card is how many questions of that type are in our bank of 69 Task 2 questions.

The structure that works for every type

Four paragraphs. What changes between question types is what goes inside them, not the shape.

1. 1

   Introduction

   Paraphrase the statement and state your position or signal what the essay will cover. Two sentences is enough.

2. 2

   Body 1

   One main idea, explained, then supported with a specific example. Depth beats breadth here.

3. 3

   Body 2

   A second, genuinely different idea, developed the same way.

4. 4

   Conclusion

   Restate your position or summarise both sides. Introduce nothing new.

Spending the 40 minutes

How Task 2 is marked

Four criteria, each worth 25%. Your Task 1 and Task 2 bands are then combined with Task 2 counting double.

Task Response

Did you answer the actual question, all parts of it, with a clear position? This is where question type matters most, and where most marks are lost.

Coherence and Cohesion

Paragraphing and logical flow. One idea per paragraph does more for this than any number of linking words.

Lexical Resource

Range and precision, including your paraphrase of the prompt. Repeating the question wording costs you here.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

A mix of sentence structures, and how many of them are error free.

Doing Task 1 as well? There is a guide to every Task 1 question type, and you can see what the two tasks combine to with the band calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How long should IELTS Writing Task 2 be?

At least 250 words in about 40 minutes. Going under the word count is penalised; going far over usually costs you accuracy rather than gaining you marks.

Is Task 2 worth more than Task 1?

Yes, roughly twice as much. If you are running out of time, protect Task 2 — and write it first if that helps you guarantee it gets your best work.

How many paragraphs should a Task 2 essay have?

Four works for every question type: introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion. Two well-developed body paragraphs score better than three thin ones.

Do I need examples in Task 2?

You need support, and a specific example is the easiest way to give it. It does not have to be a real statistic — a concrete, plausible illustration is enough.

Can I use 'I' in an IELTS essay?

Yes. Task 2 frequently asks for your opinion, and 'In my view' is the clearest way to give it. What you should avoid is informal register and contractions.

What happens if I misidentify the question type?

You risk answering a different question to the one asked, which caps Task Response no matter how good the English is. Writing a balanced discussion when the prompt asked whether advantages outweigh disadvantages is the most common version of this.