📌 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)
📌 Causes and Solutions Overview
Causes and Solutions questions consist of two key elements.
▸ Writing Prompt
• Concerns the reasons or causes of a problem and how that problem can be solved or prevented
• A problem faced by a group or society
• Consists of 1–2 sentences
▸ Questions
One or two questions are presented, asking how the problem can be addressed. Typical instructions include:
• "What are the causes of this? How can this problem be solved?"
• "What solutions can you suggest to deal with this problem?"
• "What measures could be taken to prevent this?"
📌 Strategy for Writing Causes and Solutions
▸ STEP 1. Understand the Task
The key is to describe relationships:
• Show the causes that lead to the problem
• Show that the solutions you propose actually solve the problem
• Support every point clearly and logically
▸ STEP 2. Plan Your Answer (4–5 Paragraph Structure)
Use a minimum of four paragraphs, and expand to five if necessary.
• Introduction
• 2–3 body paragraphs
→ Explanation of causes: 1–2 paragraphs
→ Explanation of solutions: 1 paragraph
• Conclusion
▸ STEP 3. How to Write Each Paragraph
◆ Introduction
→ Paraphrase the prompt
→ Provide a preview of the essay, including:
- The causes of the problem
- The problem and the solutions you will propose
◆ Body Paragraphs
Consist of 2–3 paragraphs on causes and 1 paragraph on proposed solutions. Each paragraph should include:
→ A topic sentence
→ An explanation of the cause or solution
◆ Conclusion
Summarize the following three elements:
→ The causes
→ The problem
→ The solution
📌 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)
📌 Causes and Solutions Overview
Causes and Solutions questions consist of two key elements.
▸ Writing Prompt
• Concerns the reasons or causes of a problem and how that problem can be solved or prevented
• A problem faced by a group or society
• Consists of 1–2 sentences
▸ Questions
One or two questions are presented, asking how the problem can be addressed. Typical instructions include:
• "What are the causes of this? How can this problem be solved?"
• "What solutions can you suggest to deal with this problem?"
• "What measures could be taken to prevent this?"
📌 Strategy for Writing Causes and Solutions
▸ STEP 1. Understand the Task
The key is to describe relationships:
• Show the causes that lead to the problem
• Show that the solutions you propose actually solve the problem
• Support every point clearly and logically
▸ STEP 2. Plan Your Answer (4–5 Paragraph Structure)
Use a minimum of four paragraphs, and expand to five if necessary.
• Introduction
• 2–3 body paragraphs
→ Explanation of causes: 1–2 paragraphs
→ Explanation of solutions: 1 paragraph
• Conclusion
▸ STEP 3. How to Write Each Paragraph
◆ Introduction
→ Paraphrase the prompt
→ Provide a preview of the essay, including:
- The causes of the problem
- The problem and the solutions you will propose
◆ Body Paragraphs
Consist of 2–3 paragraphs on causes and 1 paragraph on proposed solutions. Each paragraph should include:
→ A topic sentence
→ An explanation of the cause or solution
◆ Conclusion
Summarize the following three elements:
→ The causes
→ The problem
→ The solution
📌 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