📌 IELTS Writing Task 2 Overview
Task 2 consists of the following:
• A writing prompt that presents a viewpoint, argument, or problem
• One to three questions related to that prompt
Topics can vary widely, covering areas such as culture, government, social sciences, the environment, and technology. You must write a formal essay of at least 250 words in response to the prompt within 40 minutes.
📌 IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types
The following five types of questions may appear:
• Agree or disagree with a particular viewpoint or argument
• Discuss two opposing views
• Describe the advantages or disadvantages of a topic
• Explain the causes of a problem and provide solutions
• Address a given situation divided into two parts (Two-part Question)
📌 Discussion Essay Overview
Discussion Essay questions consist of two key elements.
▸ Writing Prompt
• Describes a view, belief, or opinion held by a group or society as a whole
• Consists of 1–2 sentences
• Often includes words such as "feel," "believe," or "think"
▸ Writing Instructions
• Usually a single sentence with little variation
• Typical instructions:
→ "Discuss both views and give your opinion."
→ "Discuss both sides and give your opinion."
📌 Strategy for Writing a Discussion Essay
▸ STEP 1. Understand the Task
• Discuss BOTH views: Give equal weight to each side
• Give your opinion: Clearly choose one view to support
• The view you choose does not matter
▸ STEP 2. Plan Your Answer (4-Paragraph Structure)
• Introduction
• 2 Main Body Paragraphs — one per view
• Conclusion
▸ STEP 3. How to Write Each Paragraph
◆ Introduction
→ Paraphrase: Restate the prompt while clearly expressing both views
→ Preview: Present two reasons
- One reason per view
- You may include additional reasons if balance is maintained and time permits
→ Thesis Statement: Present your own opinion
◆ Body Paragraphs — Structure of Each Paragraph
→ Topic Sentence
→ Explanation of the reason with examples
◆ Conclusion
→ Summarize the key points and your opinion
📌 Things to Keep in Mind
• Spend 40 minutes: Since Task 2 is worth twice as much as Task 1, allocate about 40 minutes to it
• Plan your answer: Spend a few minutes brainstorming your answers, explanations, and examples to create an outline
• Use a variety of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and vary your sentence structures appropriately
• Proofread: In the final few minutes, check for grammatical errors and typos, and make sure your writing is clear and coherent
• Be sure to double-check that your conclusion accurately paraphrases the answers presented in your introduction, and that your essay exceeds 250 words
📌 IELTS Writing Task 2 Overview
Task 2 consists of the following:
• A writing prompt that presents a viewpoint, argument, or problem
• One to three questions related to that prompt
Topics can vary widely, covering areas such as culture, government, social sciences, the environment, and technology. You must write a formal essay of at least 250 words in response to the prompt within 40 minutes.
📌 IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types
The following five types of questions may appear:
• Agree or disagree with a particular viewpoint or argument
• Discuss two opposing views
• Describe the advantages or disadvantages of a topic
• Explain the causes of a problem and provide solutions
• Address a given situation divided into two parts (Two-part Question)
📌 Discussion Essay Overview
Discussion Essay questions consist of two key elements.
▸ Writing Prompt
• Describes a view, belief, or opinion held by a group or society as a whole
• Consists of 1–2 sentences
• Often includes words such as "feel," "believe," or "think"
▸ Writing Instructions
• Usually a single sentence with little variation
• Typical instructions:
→ "Discuss both views and give your opinion."
→ "Discuss both sides and give your opinion."
📌 Strategy for Writing a Discussion Essay
▸ STEP 1. Understand the Task
• Discuss BOTH views: Give equal weight to each side
• Give your opinion: Clearly choose one view to support
• The view you choose does not matter
▸ STEP 2. Plan Your Answer (4-Paragraph Structure)
• Introduction
• 2 Main Body Paragraphs — one per view
• Conclusion
▸ STEP 3. How to Write Each Paragraph
◆ Introduction
→ Paraphrase: Restate the prompt while clearly expressing both views
→ Preview: Present two reasons
- One reason per view
- You may include additional reasons if balance is maintained and time permits
→ Thesis Statement: Present your own opinion
◆ Body Paragraphs — Structure of Each Paragraph
→ Topic Sentence
→ Explanation of the reason with examples
◆ Conclusion
→ Summarize the key points and your opinion
📌 Things to Keep in Mind
• Spend 40 minutes: Since Task 2 is worth twice as much as Task 1, allocate about 40 minutes to it
• Plan your answer: Spend a few minutes brainstorming your answers, explanations, and examples to create an outline
• Use a variety of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and vary your sentence structures appropriately
• Proofread: In the final few minutes, check for grammatical errors and typos, and make sure your writing is clear and coherent
• Be sure to double-check that your conclusion accurately paraphrases the answers presented in your introduction, and that your essay exceeds 250 words