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Course

Writing Task 2

Write a clear, well-organised essay for every type of Task 2 question. Start with the two “Getting started” lessons, then work through each essay type.

  • 12 lessons
  • 7 essay types
  • At least 250 words in the test
  • About 40 minutes in the test

Before you start

What is Writing Task 2?

In Task 2 you write an essay in response to a point of view, an argument or a problem. Write at least 250 words in formal, academic English, and spend about 40 minutes. Task 2 is worth twice as much as Task 1.

Every essay follows the same basic plan: introduction → two (or three) body paragraphs → conclusion. What changes from one essay type to the next is what each paragraph must do.

Lessons

Course lessons

Your progress is saved in this browser when you mark a lesson as complete.

Getting started

  1. 1

    Analysing and paraphrasing the question

    A four-step plan, finding key words, recognising the seven question types, and paraphrasing.

    ✓ Completed
    40–50 min
  2. 2

    Stating your position: the language of extent

    Adverbs, adjectives and phrases that show exactly how strongly you agree or disagree.

    ✓ Completed
    40–50 min

Agree or disagree essays

  1. 3

    Agree or disagree essays

    Model answer: a clear position with an extent, two strong ideas, and a consistent conclusion.

    ✓ Completed
    45–60 min
  2. 4

    Essay structure and writing an introduction

    Understand the question, plan the structure and write a clear introduction (distance learning).

    ✓ Completed
    45–60 min
  3. 5

    Developing arguments

    Generate ideas and organise a balanced argument (nuclear energy).

    ✓ Completed
    45–90 min

Outweigh essays

  1. 6

    Outweigh essays

    Model answer: weigh both sides and make a clear judgement.

    ✓ Completed
    45–60 min

Two-question essays (standard)

  1. 7

    Two-question essays (standard)

    Model answer: answer both parts fully, with no opinion unless it is asked for.

    ✓ Completed
    45–60 min

Problem and solution essays

  1. 8

    Problem and solution essays

    Causes and solutions: cause-and-effect and purpose language (overfishing, childhood obesity).

    ✓ Completed
    40–55 min

Two-question essays (opinion)

  1. 9

    Two-question essays (opinion)

    Model answer: explain the reasons, then give and support your opinion.

    ✓ Completed
    45–60 min
  2. 10

    Developing paragraphs

    Topic sentences, developing sentences, complex sentences and paragraph order.

    ✓ Completed
    60–70 min

Advantage, disadvantage and opinion essays

  1. 11

    Advantages, disadvantages and opinion essays

    Model answer: discuss benefits and drawbacks, then say which side is stronger.

    ✓ Completed
    45–60 min

Both sides and opinion essays

  1. 12

    Both sides and opinion essays

    Model answer: present two opposing views fairly and give your own.

    ✓ Completed
    45–60 min

Resources

Band descriptors

Task 2 is marked on Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.

PDF
IELTS Writing Band DescriptorsPDF · 167 KB