IELTS WRITING TASK 2

IELTS Writing Task 2

1. requires you to write at least 250 words.

2. You will be presented with a topic and will be tested on your ability to
respond by
a. giving and justifying an opinion,
b. discussing the topic
c. summarizing details
d. outlining problems and identifying possible solutions

3. requires you to support what you write with reasons, arguments and relevant
examples from your own knowledge or experience.
TYPES OF ESSAYS
1. OPINION
2. DISCUSSION
3. ADVANTAGES vs DISADVANTAGES
4. PROBLEM -SOLUTION
5. CAUSE -SOLUTION
6. DIRECT QUESTION
 HOW ARE YOU GOING TO APPROACH THIS TASK?

Understand the question.

Step 1: Plan your

essay
Step 2: Write your
essay
Step 3: Check your
essay
Academic English

In formal and academic English, it's best to avoid:

● informal words/expressions, e.g. the States, down to, telly

● abbreviations and contractions, e.g. they've, i.e.

● phrasal verbs (when formal alternatives are available), e.g. look into, locked up

● overuse of the pronoun I, and the phrases, I think and In my opinion.

● questions to the reader, e.g. "How shocking is that?"

Understand the question.

● Read the task carefully to decide how many parts it has and what your position

is.

● Why? Because you will lose marks if you do not address all the parts of the

question relevantly.

● Make a quick plan either mentally or on rough paper. Decide on your main

ideas.

● Why? Because the examiner will be looking for a number of clear main ideas.
TASK 2 -QUESTION ANALYSIS
GOVERNMENTS SHOULD SPEND MONEY ON RAILWAY RATHER THAN ROADS? To what extent do you agree or disagree?

1. What type of question?

2. What is general topic?
3. What is specific topic?
IELTS- OPINION

This type of task asks you to read a statement. You have to state

whether you agree or disagree with this opinion. Of course, you may
only partly agree with it. You must explain your point of view and give
reasons for it.
QUESTION ANALYSIS

1. What type of question? OPINION

2. What is general topic? GOVERNMENT SPENDING
3. What is specific topic? Railways or roads where money should be
spent
How to answer the TASK 2. (40 mins)
PLAN ( 10 mins) WRITE (35 mins) CHECK (5 mins)

1. Question Type 1. Introduction

2. Question 2. Main Body
analysis 3. Conclusion
3. Idea generation
4. Structure
planning
IDENTIFY THE QUESTION
Look at the three questions below and choose one you think is a discussion
question.

1. Computers are being used more and more in education and so there will soon

be no role for the teacher in education. To what extent do you agree or

disagree?

2. Computers are being used more and more in education. Discuss the

advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.

3. Computers are being used more and more in education. Some people say that
IDEA GENERATION ( a few minutes )

1. KEEP IT SIMPLE
2. DO NOT BRAINSTORM
3. Ask yourself a direct question:
Why should governments spend money on railways rather
than roads?
STRUCTURE YOUR IDEAS- OPINION ESSAY
INTRODUCTION:
MAIN BODY 2 : ( IDEA 2)
1. Paraphrase question
1. Topic sentence
2. Give opinion
2. Exploration
3. Give two main ideas
3. Example
MAIN BODY 1 : ( IDEA 1)

4. Topic sentence
CONCLUSION
5. Exploration
6. Example 4. State opinion
5. Summarise 2 main ideas
INTRODUCTIONS

YOU DO NOT NEED

1. A neutral background statement
2. Memorised phrases
3. This essay will ….
4. Fancy vocabulary
5. A specific number of words or sentence
 How to Paraphrase

Method Number 1: Using Synonyms. Be careful

with the keywords that can not be changed
For example:

My car needs petrol.

My vehicle requires fuel.

Violent crime is on the rise among teenagers.

Violent offences are rising among young people.

Method Number 2: Change the Word Order

Question: As languages such as Spanish, Chinese and English

become more widely used, there is a fear that that many
minority languages may die out.

Paraphrased by changing word order:

There is a fear that many minority languages may die out, as

languages such as Spanish, Chinese and English become more
widely used.
Method Number 3: Change the Form of the Word

Question: Longer life spans and improvements in the health of

older people suggest that people over the age of sixty-five can
continue to live full and active lives.

Paraphrased by changing word form:

Longer life spans and improvements in the health of older people

are suggesting that people over the age of sixty-five can continue
living full and active lives.
Method Number 4: Change from Active to Passive

Example active sentence:

The property developers invested $20 million in the

development of the shopping centre.

Example passive sentence:

$20 million was invested in the development of shopping

centres.
Writing Tip

You will score higher if you paraphrase the

question in your own words.
PRACTICE1 :Paraphrase the words in this paragraph using the words in the box below. Only paraphrase a word if
you are sure it is appropriate to do so.

Paraphrasing Options
You do not need to use all the words.
You must decide which words to use
and which words not to use.
Many people, when driving their cars,
go over the speed limit in city centers. town an answer the law install
As a way of solving this, the motorway stop humans put away
authorities exceed deter from directly
government should put more speed riding ought to key by doing
cameras on major streets to put people this
arrested vehicles resolved citizens
off speeding. If this is done, more large caught red handed
people who speed will he caught and speed prevention increasing
this problem will eventually be solved. urban
ANSWER

Many people, when driving their cars, exceed the speed limit in
urban centers. As a way of solving this, the authorities ought to
install more speed cameras on major streets to deter people
from speeding. By doing this, more people who speed will be
caught and this problem will eventually be resolved.
PRACTICE 2
OPTIONS
It is sometimes thought that it is
some citizens believe / some people
beneficial for companies to sponsor
believe / advantage / good /
sports events through advertising. By
advantageous / industries /
doing this, extra funding, which is often businesses / sporting occasions /
lacking, can be raised to support matches / when we do this / in this
sports events and ensure that they way / extra cash / a lack of / in short
continue to run. Furthermore, supply / sports matches / Anci /
companies can also contribute clothing industries / businesses / give /
or equipment which supports the donate / attire / groups /
event, teams and players. performers / coordinate
Answer 1:

Some people believe that it is advantageous for business to sponsor sports events
through advertisements. In this way, extra funding, which is often in short supply,
can be raised to support sports events and ensure they continue to run.
Furthermore, companies can also contribute clothing or equipment which supports
the event, team and players.
Answer 2:

Some people think it is advantageous for sports companies to use

advertising to sponsor sports events, such as football matches or
the Olympics.
The extra funding from businesses is frequently much needed, as
government funding can be limited. Sports events benefit from the
extra finances as the money allows them to continue running and
also, at times, provides teams and players with free sports wear or
equipment, which are often too costly for them to buy.
WRITING TASK 2 - OPINION

Your own opinion can be

● to take one side or the other,

● to partly agree with one or both,
● or even to disagree with both positions and offer an alternative view.

The key is to make sure that your opinion is clear and, as with all IELTS Task 2
essays, support your arguments with examples, reasons, explanations, etc.
SAMPLE 1.
Write about the following topic:

The education you receive from your family is more important than the education
you receive from school.

To what extent do you agree with this statement and why?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

MARKING INSTRUMENT
You will be marked on:

1. Task Response (25%)

2. Coherence & Cohesion (25%)

3. Vocabulary (25%)

4. Grammar (25%)
TIPS
1. THE EXAMINER WILL ASSESS THE COHERENCE AND COHESION OF
YOUR ANSWER. THEY WILL JUDGE HOW YOUR IDEAS ARE ORGANIZED
AND LINKED TO MAKE SENSE
2. AVOID THE REPEATING WORDS. USE A WIDE RANGE OF LEXICAL
RESOURCES
3. YOU WILL LOSE MARKS IF YOU COPY THE STATEMENT OR WORDS
FROM QUESTION.
4. ADDRESS EACH AND EVERY QUESTION IN A STATEMENT
5. ORGANIZE IDEAS INTO SEPARATE PARAGRAPHS
6. LANGUAGE SHOULD BE FORMAL WHILE AVOIDING ABBREVIATIONS
IELTS Opinion Essay

This type of essay is where you are presented with someone else's opinion and
you are asked if you agree or disagree with it. The opinion is often flawed or
extreme in its views.The instructions can be written in a number of ways. Below
are a few examples:
• To what extent do you agree?
• Do you agree?
• Do you agree or disagree?
• What is your opinion?
No matter how the instructions are written, you can take any position you want:
agree, disagree or partial agreement (balanced view).
2) IELTS Discussion Essay

This type of essay presents you with a statement and you must present
the two sides. This might be two sides of the same issue:
Some people think there should be free health care for all people,
but others disagree. Discuss both sides.

Or it might be two separate issues which you need to discuss:

Some people think that urban spaces should be used for parks
rather than for housing. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
Writing Tip

This type of question is often confused with an

agree/disagree question or a give your opinion question.
In the latter types of questions, you can choose an
opinion and generate your arguments. However, for a
discuss both views + give opinion question, you have
to discuss both points of view impartially before giving
your own view.
Writing Tip

● identify the two opinions

● generate arguments for each point of view
● choose your point of view
Writing Tip

● Use discussion essay language :

1. Many people believe that ….
2. It is commonly believed that
3. Some people believe that …
4. Many argue that…
5. It is argued by many that
6. Some people support the opinion that
ESSAY STRUCTURE -1
Main Body Paragraph 2
Introduction
1- State second viewpoint
1- Paraphrase Question
2- Discuss second viewpoint
2- State Both Points of View
3- Reason why you agree or disagree
3- Thesis Statement (give your opinion)
with viewpoint
4- Example to support your view
Main Body Paragraph 1
1- State first viewpoint
Conclusion
2- Discuss first viewpoint
Sentence 1- Summary
3- Reason why you agree or disagree
Sentence 2- State which one is better or
with viewpoint
more important
4- Example to support your view
ESSAY STRUCTURE -2
Introduction
1- Paraphrase Question
Main Body Paragraph 2
2- State Both Points of View
1- Reason why you agree or disagree
3- Thesis Statement (give your opinion)
with viewpoint
2- Example to support your view
Main Body Paragraph 1
1- State first viewpoint
Conclusion
2- Discuss first viewpoint
Sentence 1- Summary
Sentence 2- State which one is better or
Main Body Paragraph 2
more important
1- State second viewpoint
2- Discuss second viewpoint
PRACTICE

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

It is commonly believed that nowadays main factors that affect a
child's development are media, pop culture and friends. A different
point of view is that family plays the most significant role.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Write at least 250 words.
identify the two opinions

1. External factors have more considerable influence

on a child's development.
2. The family has a greater influence on a child's
development.
● generate arguments for each point of view

1. External factors have a more considerable influence on a child's

development.
1. Children tend to copy the behaviour of their favourite fictional characters.
2. Children spend a lot of time with their peers.
2. 3. Technology has an all-pervasive impact on children.

The family has a greater influence on a child's development.

1. Parents are always present in the life of a child.
2. The younger the children are, the more malleable their character is.
3. Parents can set boundaries and have more control over their children.
choose your point of view

agree that although external factors influence the

development of a child, parents and family still have the
upper hand.
Our reason: A child's choice of friends, books or music
depends on the values instilled in them by their parents.
INTRODUCTION
Question: Some people think that
1- Paraphrase Question zoos are cruel and should be closed
2- State Both Points of
View
down. Others, however, believe that
3- Thesis Statement zoos can be useful in protecting wild
(give your opinion)
animals.
Discuss both views and give your
opinion.
1. There are various phrases you can use to do this. Here are three examples.
They all say the same thing using different language.

● Some people argue that… while others say that…

● It is considered by some…. while there are others who think….
● It is often argued that... whilst others disagree and think...
2. Choose one and add the details in the question statement in a
paraphrased form. I recommend putting the view you don’t agree with
first.

Paraphrased question:
Some people argue that zoos help to preserve wild
creatures, while others say that they are inhumane
and should be abolished.
3.Thesis and outline statements.

Now we need to add an outline statement where you outline the two main points that
you’ll cover in the rest of the essay (ideas 1 and 2 above) and a thesis statement where
you state your opinion

Outline & thesis statements:

While the development of breeding programmes contributes to the preservation of

endangered species, I believe that the poor conditions that many animals held in
captivity are kept in make the existence of zoos unacceptable.
SAMPLE

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.
 3) IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essays

There are two types of questions in this category.

i) Advantage and Disadvantage Essay
This is similar to a discussion essay where you are given a statement must
present the positive and negative side of the issue:

Some people think it is good for students to take a gap year before going to
university. What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing so?

ii) Outweigh Essay

This is by far the most difficult of the two essay types in this category. It requires
you to present an opinion and explain your opinion.
Some people think the world will eventually have only one language. Do you
think the advantages of having one global language outweigh the
disadvantages?
Essay Structure
Introduction Main Body Paragraph 2

1- Paraphrase Question 1- State Two Disadvantages

2- Outline Main Points: (Thesis statement 2- Expand/Explain First Disadvantage

(state which one outweighs the other)
3- Expand/Explain Second Disadvantage
Main Body Paragraph 1
3- Example
1- State Two Advantages
Conclusion
2- Expand/Explain First Advantage
1- Summary of Main Points
3- Expand/Explain Second Advantage

3- Example
SAMPLE

Computers are being used more and more in education.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.
4) IELTS Solution Essays

There are a number of types of possible questions in this category:

i. Solution Only
Some children have serious weight problems. What are the possible
solutions?
ii. Cause Solution
Children in rural areas are being left behind in their academic
development. Why is this is the case? What solutions can you
suggest?
iii. Problem Solution
More and more people are moving to cities to look for work. What
problems does this cause? What are the possible solutions?
ESSAY STRUCTURE

Paragraph 1- Introduction

Paragraph 2- Problems

Paragraph 3- Solutions

Paragraph 4- Conclusion
SENTENCE LEVEL
Introduction Solution

1- Paraphrase question 7- State solutions

2- Outline sentence 8- Explain solution to first problem

Problem 9- Explain solution to second problem

3- State problems 10- Example of solution to second

problem
4- Explain first problem
Conclusion
5- Explain second problem
Sentence 11- Summary of main points in
6- Example of second problem paragraphs 2 and 3
5) Direct Questions Essays
Some teachers call these the Two Question Essay. However,
these types of essay questions might contain one, two or three
questions for you to answer. Below are some examples.
Pollution around the world is becoming a serious problem. Do
you think this is a problem that should be solved internationally
or on a local level?
In the question above, you are asked one specific question.
Your whole essay must tackle this question only.
Sample :

Some people spend a lot of money on weddings. Why do

they do this? Do you think it is good to spend a lot of money
on weddings?
The question above asks you to present reasons and then to
give your opinion by evaluating if it is good or not.
Sample
News editors decide what to print in newspapers and what to
broadcast on TV. What factors do you think influence these
decisions? Do we become used to bad news? Would it be better if
more news was reported?

As you can see there are three questions to answer in this essay
question. It is not common to get three questions. If you get three,
just tackle them one at a time in a logical order.