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IELTS Writing Task 2: The Ultimate Guide

IELTS Writing Task 2 determines two-thirds of your Writing score. Whether you're aiming for immigration, university admission, or professional registration, this 40-minute essay can make or break your target band.

This guide distills everything you need for 2025: how Task 2 is scored, the exact essay types you'll face, model structures, and where to practice with real exam topics. By the end, you'll have a clear roadmap to reach your target score.

40 minutes250+ words (270-290 recommended)66% of your Writing score
See Band 9 Task 2 Samples

In this article

Understanding IELTS Writing Task 2The Crucial 5-Minute PlanThe 5 Main Essay Types in IELTS Writing Task 2The Perfect Essay Structure for IELTS Writing Band 7+The Secret Weapons: Cohesion, Vocabulary, and GrammarExplore Our Task 2 IELTS Writing Sample Essay LibraryPractice with Real IELTS Writing Exam TopicsReady to Get Your Dream IELTS Writing Score?Your Next Steps

Understanding IELTS Writing Task 2: Format, Scoring, and Examiner Mindset

Task 2 requires critical thinking, not just language display. Examiners want to see a clear position, logical organization, precise vocabulary, and accurate grammar.

The Task 2 challenge

  • Time: 40 minutes
  • Word count: Minimum 250 words (270-290 recommended)
  • Weight: 66% of your Writing score
  • Prompt: A 40-50 word question with specific instructions

Critical insight: Unlike Task 1, you must present and defend a position. Examiners expect clear thinking, not templates.

The four assessment criteria (25% each)

Task Response

Cover every part of the prompt, state a clear stance from start to finish, and fully develop ideas with explanations and examples.

Coherence & Cohesion

Organize ideas logically, use focused paragraphs, and connect points naturally with cohesive devices - no overuse.

Lexical Resource

Use a wide, precise range of vocabulary with correct collocations and minimal spelling or word-choice errors.

Grammar Range & Accuracy

Mix simple, compound, and complex sentences accurately. Errors should not impede communication.

The Crucial 5-Minute Plan: From Question to Outline

Top scorers plan before writing. A quick outline keeps you on-topic and saves time.

1. Deconstruct the question (1 minute)

Identify the topic, scope keywords, and instruction words (e.g., "Discuss both views and give your opinion").

2. Brainstorm ideas (2 minutes)

List quick keywords and examples for each part of the prompt without filtering.

3. Select & structure (1 minute)

Choose your two strongest ideas (one per body paragraph) and decide on your thesis.

4. Outline (1 minute)

Intro (thesis) | Body 1 (idea + example) | Body 2 (idea + example) | Conclusion (restate thesis).

The 5 Main Essay Types in IELTS Writing Task 2

Each question type has a predictable approach. Match your structure to the instructions.

Opinion Essay (Agree/Disagree)

Most common - "To what extent do you agree or disagree?"

State your position in the introduction, support it with 2-3 reasons, and reinforce it in the conclusion.

Discussion Essay (Discuss Both Views)

Very common - "Discuss both views and give your opinion."

Present both perspectives objectively, then give your stance. Balance matters: cover both views equally.

Advantage/Disadvantage Essay

Common - "Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?"

Show both sides, then explain clearly whether benefits outweigh drawbacks (if asked).

Problem/Solution Essay

Frequent - "Causes and solutions?"

Identify 2-3 root causes and propose realistic, specific solutions that address each cause.

Two-Part Question

Less frequent - Two direct questions

Answer both parts in separate paragraphs. Missing one part heavily damages Task Response.

The Perfect Essay Structure for IELTS Writing Band 7+

A clear four-paragraph structure works for every question type.

Introduction (40-50 words)

  • Paraphrase the question without copying.
  • State your thesis or roadmap clearly.

Body Paragraph 1 (90-110 words)

  • Topic sentence with main idea.
  • Explain and extend the point.
  • Add a specific, relevant example.
  • Optional mini-conclusion to reinforce the idea.

Body Paragraph 2 (90-110 words)

  • Use a second main idea or the counterview (for discussions).
  • Repeat the pattern: topic sentence, explanation, example.

Conclusion (40-50 words)

  • Restate your thesis using new wording.
  • Summarize key points; no new ideas.
  • Avoid hedging or "In my opinion" here - your stance should already be clear.

Common mistakes: listing many undeveloped ideas, skipping the thesis, introducing new arguments in the conclusion.

The Secret Weapons: Cohesion, Vocabulary, and Grammar

Use deliberate linking, precise vocabulary, and controlled complex sentences to lift your score.

Boosting Cohesion

Use linking words like salt, not water.

AdditionIn addition | Furthermore | Moreover
ContrastHowever | Nevertheless | On the other hand
Cause/EffectTherefore | Consequently | As a result
ExampleFor example | For instance | To illustrate
EmphasisIn fact | Indeed | Notably

Boosting Vocabulary

Prioritize precision and natural collocations.

beneficial / detrimentalinstead of good / bad
crucial / essential / significantinstead of important
considerable / negligibleinstead of big / small
in the modern era / at presentinstead of nowadays
a wide range of / numerousinstead of a lot of

Boosting Grammar

Show range with accuracy.

  • Subordinating conjunctions: "Although the internet provides a wealth of information, it can also be a distraction."
  • Relative clauses: "Governments are investing in renewable energy, which is a positive step towards combating climate change."
  • Mix simple, compound, and complex sentences; proofread for subject-verb agreement and punctuation.

Explore Our Task 2 IELTS Writing Sample Essay Library

Study high-band models to see exactly how strong arguments, vocabulary, and cohesion work in practice.

  • Band 7, 8, and 9 samples for Opinion, Discussion, Advantage/Disadvantage, Problem/Solution, and Two-Part questions
  • Real exam topics from recent IELTS tests
  • Annotated analysis explaining why each essay achieves its band score
  • Diverse themes: education, technology, environment, globalization, society, work

You'll see fully developed arguments, natural vocabulary in context, and sentence patterns you can adapt.

View Band 9 Sample Library

Practice with Real IELTS Writing Exam Topics

Deliberate practice with authentic questions separates Band 6.5 from Band 7+ writers.

Why our topic bank matters

  • Real exam questions from 2024-2025, updated continually
  • Organized by essay type and topic (Education, Technology, Health, Environment, Society, Work)
  • Difficulty indicators so you know when you're tackling Band 6 vs. Band 8 questions

How to use it

  1. Write under timed conditions (40 minutes) after a 5-minute plan.
  2. Self-check against model answers: did you address every part of the question?
  3. Track progress and revisit tougher topics after 2-3 weeks.
Access Task 2 Topic Bank

Ready to Get Your Dream IELTS Writing Score?

Our AI-powered IELTS Writing Checker scores your Task 2 essay on all four criteria in seconds and delivers examiner-level feedback.

  • Separate band scores for Task Response, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range & Accuracy
  • Line-by-line feedback highlighting which sentences hurt your score
  • Specific improvement steps to move from Band 6.5 -> 7.0 or 7.0 -> 7.5
  • Vocabulary upgrades and grammar corrections tailored to your essay

Stop guessing where you went wrong. Get clarity within seconds.

Your Next Steps

Mastering Task 2 is about understanding the criteria and practicing deliberately.

  1. Study 5-10 high-band samples of your target essay type (start with Opinion and Discussion).
  2. Write one timed essay per week using real exam topics.
  3. Get detailed feedback to identify weaknesses.
  4. Revise and rewrite based on feedback-the fastest way to improve.
  5. Repeat until you consistently hit your target band.

Everything you need is here: proven structures, real questions, and instant feedback. Start today.

See Task 2 Sample Essays