HOW TO PASS IELTS Academic Writing Task 2: IELTS WRITING, #2

UNIT 1 – ABOUT ACADEMIC IELTS

WRITING TASK 2

1.1 OVERVIEW

The IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 is the second part of the IELTS Writing test. You will be asked to write an essay of at lest 250 words on a subject given to you in the exam. Although the question and your essay response will be of an academic nature, you are not expected to have any special knowledge about the topic given in the question.

Your task 2 essay will be a discursive essay. This means that that you will argue in favour or against the topic given in the question, using your own personal point of view and opinions. There is no need to argue strongly one way or the other if you don't wish and you can even take a middle opinion. It is important, however, that your opinion is clear, well-argued and with supporting arguments.

1.2 THE KEY POINTS OF ACADEMIC IELTS WRITING TASK 2

You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.

The writing test takes 60 minutes in total. After spending 20 minutes on Task 1, you will have 40 minutes to complete Task 2.

Task 2 is worth twice as many marks as Task 1 so is the most important of the two tasks. If you don't complete Task 2 in the allocated time you could lose a significant amount of marks. Task 2 is therefore your priority of the two writing tasks.

You must write at least 250 words for Task 2 on the answer paper. You will lose marks if you don't write more than this. Ideally, you should look to write between 260 and 280 words.

You must not copy any phrases used in the Task 2 question. If you do the examiner will ignore them and this means you will lose marks.

You will write the essay on the answer paper provided for the task by the IELTS invigilator.

You may make notes on the question paper as nothing you write on the question paper will be looked at or marked by the examiner.

UNIT 2 – THE 10 THINGS YOU MUST DO TO PASS TASK 2

Read the question carefully and answer every point it asks for

Do not mention anything that is not relevant to the question. 25% of your mark is on how effectively and accurately you have answered the question.

Remember that the IELTS writing task is an English language test

It is not a test of your knowledge of the question topic. There are no marks awarded for demonstrating how intelligent or unique your opinions or ideas are. You should merely ensure that your opinions are relevant to the question. It doesn't matter if your points and opinions are obvious or uninteresting, the examiner is looking only for your effective use of English and an accurate response to the question.

Plan and think about the essay before you start writing

Take a couple of minutes to think about the points you