Task 2 is the part of IELTS Writing that decides most candidates’ scores. It’s worth twice as much as Task 1, it asks you to build a clear argument in just 40 minutes, and it’s where small habits (a vague thesis, a missing opinion, a paragraph with no example) quietly cost half a band.
This guide covers everything in one place: what the task asks for, how it’s marked, the five essay types, one structure that works for all of them, a model essay, and practice questions to try.
What Is IELTS Writing Task 2?
In Task 2 you write an essay in response to a question about a general topic such as education, technology, the environment, work or society.
- Time: 40 minutes (recommended)
- Length: at least 250 words
- Weight: Task 2 counts for twice as much as Task 1 in your Writing score
- Style: formal, in full paragraphs (no bullet points or headings)
Both IELTS Academic and General Training include the same kind of Task 2 essay, marked on the same criteria. General Training topics tend to be a little more everyday, but the approach is identical.
Because Task 2 carries more weight, always spend the full 40 minutes on it, even if that means Task 1 gets a little less. For the other half of the paper, see our IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 guide.
How Task 2 Is Marked
Examiners score your essay on four criteria, each worth 25% of your Task 2 score:
| Criterion | What the examiner checks |
|---|---|
| Task Response | Did you answer every part of the question, with a clear position and well-supported ideas? |
| Coherence and Cohesion | Is the essay logically organised, with clear paragraphs and natural linking? |
| Lexical Resource | Is your vocabulary varied, precise and correctly used? |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | Do you use a mix of sentence structures with few errors? |
Most candidates focus on vocabulary, but Task Response is where scores usually fall. A beautifully written essay that only half answers the question can’t reach Band 7. For a plain-English breakdown of what each band means, read IELTS Band Scores Explained.
The 5 Types of Task 2 Essay
Every Task 2 question fits one of five types. Identifying the type is the first thing you should do, because each one needs a slightly different thesis and body.
1. Opinion (Agree or Disagree)
How to spot it: “To what extent do you agree or disagree?” or “Do you agree or disagree?”
What to do: Take a clear position in your introduction and keep it consistent to the end. You can fully agree, fully disagree or partly agree, but the reader must know which from the first paragraph.
Full guide: IELTS agree or disagree essays
2. Discuss Both Views (and Give Your Opinion)
How to spot it: “Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.”
What to do: Give each view its own body paragraph, then make your own opinion clear. The most common mistake is discussing both sides fairly and forgetting to say what you think.
Full guide: IELTS discuss both views essays
3. Advantages and Disadvantages
How to spot it: “What are the advantages and disadvantages?” or “Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?”
What to do: Cover both sides in separate paragraphs. If the question asks whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, you must give a clear judgement, which makes it an opinion question as well.
4. Problem and Solution (or Causes and Solutions)
How to spot it: “What problems does this cause, and what solutions can you suggest?” or “What are the causes of this problem?”
What to do: Use one body paragraph for problems (or causes) and one for solutions. Link each solution to a problem you’ve described, so the essay reads as one connected argument.
Full guide: IELTS problem and solution essays
5. Two-Part (Direct) Questions
How to spot it: Two separate questions, such as “Why is this happening? Is it a positive or negative development?”
What to do: Answer each question directly in its own body paragraph. Candidates often answer the first question well and treat the second as an afterthought, which caps their Task Response score.
Full guide: IELTS two-part question essays
One Structure That Works for Every Type
You don’t need five different templates. A four-paragraph structure works for all of them, and a fifth paragraph is fine if you have a third strong idea.
| Paragraph | Purpose | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | Paraphrase the question and state your position or the essay’s direction | 2 to 3 sentences |
| Body paragraph 1 | First main idea, explained and supported with an example | 4 to 6 sentences |
| Body paragraph 2 | Second main idea (or the other view), explained and supported | 4 to 6 sentences |
| Conclusion | Summarise your position clearly, with no new ideas | 1 to 2 sentences |
Each body paragraph should follow the same pattern: a topic sentence that states the main idea, an explanation of why it’s true, and a specific example that makes it convincing. One well-developed idea per paragraph beats three ideas mentioned in passing.
How to Use Your 40 Minutes
- Minutes 0 to 5: Plan. Identify the question type, underline every part you must answer, decide your position and jot down one main idea and example for each body paragraph.
- Minutes 5 to 35: Write. Introduction first, then the body paragraphs, then the conclusion.
- Minutes 35 to 40: Check. Read for subject-verb agreement, articles, plurals and spelling. These small errors add up quickly.
Five minutes of planning feels like a luxury under pressure, but it’s what stops essays drifting off-topic halfway through.
Model Essay (Discuss Both Views)
Question: Some people believe that university education should be free for all students. Others think students should pay for their own studies. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Whether university should be funded by governments or paid for by students themselves is a question many countries continue to debate. While there are sound reasons for making students contribute to the cost, I believe free higher education brings greater long-term benefits to society.
Those who argue that students should pay point to fairness and responsibility. University graduates usually earn considerably more than people without degrees, so it seems reasonable that they, rather than all taxpayers, should cover the cost of the qualification that increases their income. In addition, paying fees may encourage students to take their courses seriously and to choose subjects with good career prospects, rather than enrolling without a clear purpose.
On the other hand, free tuition removes a financial barrier that often decides who can study at all. Talented students from low-income families may never apply if they face years of debt, which means a country loses skilled doctors, engineers and teachers it badly needs. Moreover, the benefits of education are not limited to the graduate. A better-educated population tends to be healthier, more productive and more engaged in civic life, and these gains are shared by everyone, including those who never attend university.
In conclusion, although requiring students to pay fees can be defended on grounds of fairness, I am convinced that free university education is the better policy, as it widens opportunity and produces benefits that extend well beyond individual graduates.
(About 280 words)
Why this essay works:
- The opinion appears in the introduction and is repeated in the conclusion, so the position is clear throughout.
- Each view gets its own paragraph, which makes the structure easy to follow.
- Every idea is explained, not just stated. The graduate earnings point explains why that makes fees fair.
- Linking is natural and varied: “In addition”, “On the other hand”, “Moreover”, “In conclusion”, with no overused templates.
- The vocabulary is precise but not forced: “financial barrier”, “civic life”, “widens opportunity”.
Common Task 2 Mistakes
- Not answering every part of the question, especially the second question in two-part essays.
- No clear opinion when the question asks for one.
- Writing under 250 words. Short essays are penalised under Task Response.
- Memorised introductions and phrases that could fit any essay. Examiners recognise them, and they don’t count toward your score.
- Listing ideas without developing them. Two explained ideas score higher than four mentioned briefly.
- Using bullet points or headings. Task 2 must be written in full paragraphs.
- Informal language such as contractions (“don’t”), slang or rhetorical questions.
For the grammar errors examiners see most often, read grammar mistakes that lower IELTS Writing scores. To build a stronger range of topic vocabulary, see our list of high-band vocabulary for IELTS Writing.
Practice Questions by Type
Try one of these under timed conditions, then check your essay against the structure and mistakes above.
Opinion: Some people think children should start learning a foreign language at primary school rather than secondary school. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Opinion: Governments should spend more money on public transport than on building new roads. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Discuss both views: Some people think that working from home is better for employees, while others believe it is better to work in an office. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Discuss both views: Some believe tourism brings more benefits than problems to local communities. Others disagree. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Advantages and disadvantages: More people now shop online rather than in physical stores. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?
Problem and solution: In many cities, young people find it increasingly difficult to afford their own homes. What problems does this cause, and what solutions can you suggest?
Causes and solutions: Many students struggle to concentrate in class. What are the causes of this, and how can it be addressed?
Two-part: More adults are returning to education later in life. Why is this happening? Is it a positive development?
For more topic ideas, see essential topics for success in IELTS Writing.
Task 2 Checklist
Before you finish, check that your essay:
- Answers every part of the question
- States a clear position in the introduction (when an opinion is asked for)
- Has one main idea per body paragraph, explained and supported with an example
- Uses linking words naturally, not in every sentence
- Reaches at least 250 words
- Ends with a conclusion that adds no new ideas
Task 2 is one part of your overall preparation. For the full picture, from test format to an 8-week study plan, read our complete guide on how to prepare for IELTS.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many words should I write in IELTS Writing Task 2?
Write at least 250 words. There’s no maximum, but around 260 to 300 words is a comfortable target. It’s long enough to develop your ideas and short enough to leave time for checking.
What happens if I write fewer than 250 words?
Examiners penalise under-length essays under Task Response, which can lower your Task 2 score. Since Task 2 counts for twice as much as Task 1, even a small penalty affects your overall Writing band.
Is Task 2 more important than Task 1?
Yes. Task 2 counts for twice as much as Task 1 in your Writing score, so spend the recommended 40 minutes on it.
Is Task 2 the same in Academic and General Training?
Both versions include a Task 2 essay marked on the same four criteria. General Training topics are sometimes more everyday, but the essay types and structure are the same.
Can I use “I” in a Task 2 essay?
Yes, when the question asks for your opinion. Phrases like “I believe” or “In my view” are appropriate. Keep the rest of the essay formal and avoid overly personal stories.
Should I memorise essay templates?
Learn the structure, not the sentences. A clear plan for each paragraph helps, but memorised phrases that could fit any essay don’t count toward your score and can make your writing sound unnatural.
How many paragraphs should a Task 2 essay have?
Four paragraphs (introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion) work well for most essays. Five is fine if you have a third strong idea to develop.
