IELTS Writing Task 2 requires you to write a formal essay of at least 250 words with question types that include opinion essays, discussion essays, advantage-disadvantage essays, and double question essays.
IELTS Writing Task 2 has the same required format for both Academic and General Training. However, there are still differences in terms of question difficulty and topic range when writing your essay.
The essay structure used for IELTS Writing Task 2 is introduction, body, then conclusion.
IELTS Writing Task 2’s five question types follow a specific structure tailored to its requirements while maintaining the basic introduction-body-conclusion format. Opinion essays require a clear stance with supporting reasons, discussion essays examine multiple perspectives, problem-solution essays analyze issues and recommend action, advantage/disadvantage essays gauge positive and negative aspects about a subject, and double question essays address two related topics.
IELTS Writing Task 2 is evaluated based on Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy, with each criterion amounting to 25% of your section score.
The sample essay displays a Band 9 response to a discussion question about university funding where the writer effectively paraphrases the question, presents both perspectives, and offers a balanced opinion.
Possible topics for IELTS Writing Task 2 in 2025 include environmental sustainability and climate change solutions, digital technology’s impact on society and education, work-life balance in the post-pandemic era, global healthcare systems and accessibility, and other current worldwide issues.
IELTS Writing Task 2 preparation involves practicing regularly with timed essays, studying high-scoring sample responses, building topic-specific vocabulary, and avoiding common mistakes such as misinterpreting questions, poor time management, and using memorized essays.
IELTS Writing Task 2 is scored by adding the four criteria scores and dividing by 4. Task 2’s score weighs twice as much as Task 1 in calculating your overall Writing score.
What You Need to Know about IELTS Writing Task 2?
The IELTS Writing Task 2 has numerous question types such as opinion essays, discussion essays, advantage-disadvantage essays, and double question essays. There are four criteria followed for evaluating your responses, each amounting to 25% of your score. These include Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
Is There a Difference Between Academic and General Training Writing Task 2?
IELTS Writing Task 2 is the same for both Academic and General Training as they require you to write an essay about a certain topic. However, there are still some differences between the two as listed below.
- Question Difficulty: General Training questions are often easier than Academic.
- Topic Range: In General Training, topics come from common, everyday subjects like family, society, and education. Meanwhile, Academic Writing Task 2 topics tend to focus on a wide range of topics such as scientific developments or space exploration.
What is the Essential Structure for IELTS Writing Task 2?
The essay structure used for Writing Task 2 is introduction, body, then conclusion. The introduction is your opening paragraph and should contain your thesis statement to immediately show your position on the question. Meanwhile, the body paragraphs consist of supporting information. They provide thorough explanation and development of your ideas in an organized way, from most important to least important. Lastly is the conclusion which summarizes your introduction and body paragraphs, offers recommendation, and gives your essay a sense of completion.
What Strategies Work for Different Question Types?
Each question type in IELTS Writing Task 2 has its own structural requirements. To easily navigate through opinion, discussion, problem-solution, advantage/disadvantage, or double question essays, you can use various strategies and employ those that work best for you.
How Do I Approach Opinion Essays (Agree/Disagree)?
Opinion essays need you to take a stance on the given topic, where either you agree or disagree, then present your position with logical reasoning and relevant examples. Follow the guide below when writing opinion essays.
| Component | Content | Purpose |
| Introduction | Paraphrase the statement and state your position | Establishes your understanding of the question and presents your clear opinion |
| Body Paragraph 1 | First reason for your opinion with examples | Provides primary support for your position with concrete evidence |
| Body Paragraph 2 | Second reason for your opinion with examples | Offers additional support to strengthen your argument |
| Conclusion | Restate your position and summarize reasons | Reinforces your stance and brings closure to your essay |
What’s the Best Way to Handle Discussion Essays?
Discussion essays are made by examining both sides to analyze different perspectives of an issue before showing your opinion. Below are tips you can follow as you write a discussion essay.
| Component | Content | Purpose |
| Introduction | Paraphrase the question and mention you’ll discuss both views | Sets up the balanced approach of your essay |
| Body Paragraph 1 | First viewpoint with supporting arguments | Presents one perspective with relevant evidence |
| Body Paragraph 2 | Second viewpoint with supporting arguments | Presents the alternative perspective with relevant evidence |
| Body Paragraph 3 (optional) | Your opinion with justification | Provides your personal stance with supporting reasons |
| Conclusion | Summarize both views and restate your opinion | Brings closure while reinforcing your position |
How Should I Structure Problem-Solution Essays?
Problem-solution essays require you to offer solutions to a problem given, thereby testing your ability to identify causes of problems and suggest actions are tested. In the table below are strategies you can use for this type of essay.
| Component | Content | Purpose |
| Introduction | Outline the problem | Establishes the issue that will be addressed |
| Body Paragraph 1 | Explain the causes or effects of the problem | Analyzes why the problem exists or its consequences |
| Body Paragraph 2 | Propose solutions and their expected outcomes | Presents practical remedies and their potential impact |
| Conclusion | Summarize the problem and solutions | Reinforces the connection between the issue and proposed remedies |
What’s the Effective Approach for Advantage/Disadvantage Essays?
Advantage/disadvantage essays are for evaluating positive and negative aspects about a situation or recommendation. They are often ended with your opinion about the topic. Below are tips that will help you in writing an advantage/disadvantage essay.
| Component | Content | Purpose |
| Introduction | Paraphrase the topic and indicate you’ll discuss both advantages and disadvantages | Establishes the scope of your analysis |
| Body Paragraph 1 | Advantages with supporting examples | Presents positive aspects with relevant evidence |
| Body Paragraph 2 | Disadvantages with supporting examples | Presents negative aspects with relevant evidence |
| Body Paragraph 3 (optional) | Your assessment of whether benefits outweigh drawbacks | Provides your reasoned conclusion based on the analysis |
| Conclusion | Summarize the main advantages and disadvantages and state your position | Brings closure while reinforcing your overall assessment |
How Do I Tackle Double Question Essays?
A double question essay involves answering two related questions in one written essay. This type often discusses various topics with the same root such as causes and solutions, problems and consequences, or views and opinions. In the table below are strategies you can use for this type of essay.
| Component | Content | Purpose |
| Introduction | Paraphrase both questions and indicate you’ll address each one | Establishes the dual focus of your essay |
| Body Paragraph 1 | Answer to the first question with supporting evidence | Addresses the first component of the task |
| Body Paragraph 2 | Answer to the second question with supporting evidence | Addresses the second component of the task |
| Body Paragraph 3 (optional) | Additional perspective or deeper analysis | Provides further insight if needed |
| Conclusion | Summarize your answers to both questions | Brings closure to the dual-focused essay |
How is IELTS Writing Task 2 Scored?
The IELTS Writing Task 2 is scored through four assessment criteria such as task response, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy. Each one amounts to 25% of your score in the section.
How Can I Enhance My Task Response?
Improve your Task Response by addressing all parts of the questions, developing a clear position throughout your essay, and maintaining consistency in your arguments. Your stance should not change, so when you agree at the start of your essay, you should still be agreeing at the end.
What Methods Improve My Lexical Resource?
Lexical Resource is the part of the IELTS exam which evaluates your vocabulary repertoire and capability to deploy words in writing. Your output should include specialized words from the topic area which prove both your subject comprehension and your capability to write clearly about it.
How Do I Demonstrate Strong Grammatical Range?
Grammatical Range and Accuracy determines your competency in handling multiple grammatical structures properly. Use simple, compound, and complex sentences to create an engaging writing style that prevents sentences from becoming repetitive. When discussing potential outcomes, you should integrate the conditional elements “if” and “unless” with the provision clause “provided that.”
Which Cohesive Devices Should I Use?
Using cohesive devices lets your ideas connect to each other in a natural manner. Use linking words appropriately between sentences to connect ideas and paragraphs through expressions like “moreover”, “furthermore”, and “nevertheless.” Use nominalization whenever possible to maintain writing flow. The referencing words “this,” “these,” and “such” enable you to retrace back to previously discussed concepts without repeated wording.
What Common Mistakes Should I Avoid in IELTS Writing Task 2?
To avoid losing marks in IELTS Writing Task 2, you need to be aware of the common mistakes below.
- Misinterpreting the question: Failing to understand the question which leads to off-topic responses.
- Poor time management: Taking long planning time on Task 1 which leaves only an inadequate amount of time for Task 2.
- Memorized essays and phrases: Writing texts you memorized which do not answer the given question.
- Lack of examples: Providing arguments without backing them with vital information that will support your point.
- Repetitive language: Using the same words over and over which lessens your lexical resource score.
- Weak introduction and conclusion: Starting without stating the topic or ending without summarizing key points.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Band 9 Essay with Analysis
The IELTS Writing Task 2 sample essay in the table below asks candidates to discuss both perspectives on university funding, whether students should pay all costs or education should be free and then provide their own opinion.
| Essay Component | Content | Analysis |
| Question | Some people believe that university students should pay all the costs of their studies. Others believe that university education should be free. Discuss both views and give your opinion. | This is a typical question that requires students to evaluate two perspectives alongside their personal stance. |
| Introduction | The funding of higher education is a contentious issue worldwide. While some argue that students should bear the full financial responsibility for their university education, others contend that tertiary education should be provided free of charge. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own view. | The opening part of the text seamlessly rephrases the query before recognizing opposing stances and establishing its organization. |
| Body Paragraph 1 | Proponents of student-funded education argue that individuals receive significant personal benefits from their degrees, including higher lifetime earnings and improved career prospects. They suggest that since students are the primary beneficiaries of their education, they should logically bear the costs. Furthermore, tuition fees ensure students value their education and remain committed to completing their studies. | The second paragraph presents a single perspective using specific logic, with explanation appearing within this section. |
| Body Paragraph 2 | Conversely, advocates for free university education emphasize the broader societal benefits of an educated population. They point out that graduates contribute to economic growth, innovation, and social development, ultimately benefiting everyone. Additionally, they argue that tuition fees create barriers to education for disadvantaged students, perpetuating inequality and wasting potential talent. | The essay then provides an equally detailed review of the second point of view. |
| Body Paragraph 3 | In my view, while both arguments have merit, a balanced approach would be most beneficial. I believe that education costs should be shared between students and the state, with means-tested support ensuring that financial circumstances do not prevent talented individuals from accessing higher education. This approach recognizes both the personal and societal benefits of university education while maintaining its value and sustainability. | In the fourth paragraph, the author openly expresses their position supported by strong evidence. |
| Conclusion | In conclusion, while there are valid arguments for both student-funded and free university education, a mixed funding model with robust support for disadvantaged students represents the most equitable solution. This approach balances individual responsibility with societal benefit, ensuring both the quality and accessibility of higher education. | The final part effectively summarizes key findings while keeping the writer’s primary stand. |
What are Possible Current Topics in 2025?
8 examples of possible current topics for IELTS Writing Task 2 are given below.
- Environmental sustainability and climate change solutions
- Digital technology’s impact on society and education
- Work-life balance in the post-pandemic era
- Global healthcare systems and accessibility
- International cooperation versus national interests
- Urbanization challenges and smart city development
- Artificial intelligence ethics and regulation
- Cultural preservation in a globalized world
How to Prepare for IELTS Writing Task 2?
Preparing for the IELTS Writing Task 2 involves practicing regularly, studying sample essays, building topic-specific vocabulary, and reviewing recent exam questions. In addition to these strategies, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with IELTS grammar rules explained in various study materials. Understanding how to use complex sentence structures and proper punctuation can significantly enhance the clarity and coherence of your writing. Furthermore, seeking feedback from teachers or peers can help identify areas for improvement and strengthen your overall writing skills. Additionally, maintaining an organized schedule for your study sessions can significantly enhance your efficiency. Incorporating IELTS speaking preparation tips into your routine can also bolster your confidence in expressing ideas clearly during the exam. Finally, engaging in discussions with peers or tutors about various topics can further refine your writing and speaking abilities. Additionally, familiarizing yourself with the IELTS writing test format overview can help you understand the expectations and structure of the exam. This knowledge enables you to effectively plan your essays and allocate time for each section. Moreover, seeking feedback on your writing from teachers or peers can significantly improve your skills and confidence.
- Practice regularly: Train by writing an essay at least 2-3 times per week to develop time management skills.
- Study sample essays: Analyze high-scoring essays to adapt their writing style and structure.
- Build topic-specific vocabulary: Create word banks for possible IELTS topics and use those words when needed.
- Review recent exam questions: Familiarize yourself with questions and formats so you will not be surprised when taking the actual test.
How is My Task 2 Score Calculated?
Your IELTS Writing Task 2 score is calculated using the four criteria which include Task Response, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. These four are added together then divided by 4. For example, if your Task Response score is 6.0, 7.0 for Coherence and Cohesion, 6.0 for Lexical Resource, and 6.0 for Grammatical Range and Accuracy, your calculation and overall score would be (6+7+6+6)/4 = 6.25.
How is My Overall Writing Score Determined?
The overall Writing module score has a designated load to each task, with Task 2 weighing twice as much as Task 1. The formula used to calculate your final IELTS Writing score is: Overall Writing Score = (Task 1 score * 1/3) + (Task 2 score * 2/3).