IELTS WRITING TASK 2 OVERVIEW

MS. THUY HUONG

0988686668-0902282229
[email protected]
 CRITERIA AND REQUIREMENTS (1)

CRITERIA REQUIREMENTS

Task Response: assesses how well  Write over 250 words

you have focused on the topic and  Satisfy all the requirements of the task
answered the question.  Cover all parts of the topic
 Cover all parts of the question
 Develop main points

Coherence and Cohesion: assesses  Sequence information and ideas logically

how well you have structured your  Use a range of cohesive devices appropriately
essay, used paragraphing, and  Use paragraphing appropriately
connected your ideas.  Have a clear progression throughout
 Avoid unnecessary repetition of information
CRITERIA AND REQUIREMENTS (2)

Lexical Resource: assesses your vocabulary in  Use of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and
terms of errors and also ability to use more precision
advanced language.  Use less common vocabulary
 Awareness of style and collocation
 Avoid errors with word choices
 Avoid errors with word formation
 Avoid errors with spelling

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: assesses your  Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence
grammar in terms of errors and also ability to use forms
more advanced sentence structures.  produce error-free sentences
 Avoid errors with grammar and punctuation
COMPARING THE THREE TYPES OF ESSAYS

Opinion Both sides + opinion Two questions essay

What is your opinion? Discuss the advantages and What problem does this cause?
disadvantages
Do you agree or disagree? What are some potential solutions?
Discuss the advantages and
To what extent do you agree or disadvantages and give your own Do you agree?
disagree? opinion
What are some other solutions?
Do you think the advantages Discuss both sides of this argument
outweigh the disadvantages? and then give your own opinion. What are the causes of this problem?

What are some potential solutions?

EXAMPLE QUESTION FOR IELTS WRITING TASK 2

Opinion Both sides + opinion Two questions Essay

Computers are being used more Computers are being used more Alcohol abuse is becoming more
and more in education and some and more in education. Some and more common in many
say there will soon be no role for people say that this is a positive countries.
the teacher in education. trend, while others argue that it is
leading to negative consequences. What are some of the problems it
To what extent do you agree or causes?
disagree? Discuss both sides of this
argument and then give your own What are some of the possible
opinion. solutions?
STRUCTURING THE THREE TYPES OF ESSAYS
Introduction Body Conclusion
General statement Topic sentence (Topic + Point) Summary of main points
= the topic that you need to Supporting sentence
write about Supporting sentence Final statement
Supporting sentence
Specific statement
-comes from the question Topic sentence (Topic + Point)
Supporting sentence
Supporting sentence
Supporting sentence

[An opinion essay may have a third

paragraph]
 OPINION ESSAYS 1
Introduction Body Conclusion

• Rephrase the topic • Reason 1 • Restating of your position +

• Position – state whether • Reason 2 summary of reasons. [Ideally if you
you agree or disagree • Reason 3/ concession (argument still have time try to write one more
sentence to give a final opinion or
and the extent (how against your main opinion) recommendation based on your summary.
much) This is the difference between a good
conclusion and an excellent one!]

Language for Introduction

 I totally agree with this opinion [good and safe choice]

 I totally agree that teachers should be replaced with computers [better as there is a fuller sentence]

 I totally agree that teachers should be replaced with computers because they are cheaper and more

convenient for students [best because it gives the examiner a clear idea of what the essay is about.
 To what extent?  Totally agree
OPINION ESSAYS 2  Somewhat agree

 Topic:  Equally agree and disagree [this is a risky

choice that I think should be avoided]
Computers are being
used more and more in  Somewhat disagree
education and some say  Totally disagree
there will soon be no
role for the teacher in
education.
Example:
 Question:
To what extent do you In conclusion, I totally disagree that machines can replace
teachers. This is because teachers can encourage students to learn
agree or disagree? and teach them how to interact with other people.
BOTH SIDES + OPINION ESSAYS 1
Introduction Body Conclusion
 Rephrase the topic  Side 1 advantages  Your opinion
 ”This essay discusses…” +  Side 2 advantages  State that both sides are
[both sides] and [opinion]  [Note: keep your opinion out important/ have merits
of the body. It is only about  State which one is more
what people in general may important/ better
think.]

Example:

Computers are being used more and more in education. Some people say that this is a positive
trend, while others argue that it is leading to negative consequences.

Discuss both sides of this argument and then give your own opinion.
 BOTH SIDES +OPINION ESSAYS 2

 State that both sides are important/ have merits Example:

 State which one is more important/ better In conclusion, I believe both sides of the
argument have their merits. On balance,
 Say why. Justify your selection. This is the key to
however, I tend to believe that the
reaching Band 7 and above for task response.
advantages of studying using a computer
Remember that YOUR opinion is one of the three
parts of the question and although this paragraph
outweigh those made possible by a teacher.
may be briefer than the body paragraphs it is a very This is because it is cheaper and more
important one. convenient to study online.
 TWO QUESTION ESSAYS 1
Introduction Body Conclusion

 Rephrase the topic  Question 1 Summary of question 1 and question 2

 Question 2
 “This essay discusses…” + [question 1]
and [question 2]

Example:

Alcohol abuse is becoming more and more common in many countries.

What are some of the problems it causes? What are some of the possible solutions?

Example of a good conclusion for this type of essay:

In conclusion, the main problems with using computers in schools are that students get distracted from studying
and they use them to access inappropriate content. These can be overcome by educators monitoring their students
closely and by restricting the websites they can access.
 LINKING WORDS

Sequencing Adding Introducing a Giving Giving an Giving an Drawing a

ideas supporting ideas contrasting idea examples alternative explanation conclusion
Firstly In addition Nonetheless such as Similarly That is As a result
Secondly Indeed However To illustrate Alternatively In other words To summarise
Now And Although this or Because Consequently
Finally Not only… but also Despite For example Because of
Furthermore In spite of for instance Therefore
Also While In conclusion
Moreover Whereas
But
On the other hand
 WRITING TOPICS
 People now have the freedom to work and live anywhere in the world due to the
development of communication technology and transportation.
Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?
 Some people believe that higher education should be funded by the government.
Others, however, argue that it is the responsibility of individuals to fund their
higher education.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
 Maintaining public libraries is a waste of time since computer technology is now
replacing their functions.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
WRITING TOPICS
 Students are becoming more and more reliant on computers.
What are some of the problems associated with reliance on computers, and
what are some of the possible solutions?
 Happiness is considered very important in life.
Why is it difficult to define?
What factors are important in achieving happiness?
 Some people say that excessive noise should be a criminal offence, while
others say they should be free to make noise without limitation.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
WRITING TOPICS

The best way to travel is to travel in a group led

by a tour guide.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with
this statement?
 Here is the sample answer for this topic :
Did the writer answer the
questions well?

Did he/she write a clear topic

sentence for each paragraph?

How can we improve this

piece of writing?
EXAMPLE 2 OF THIS TOPIC USING A 5-PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE INSTEAD OF 4
BAND 9 ESSAY