Candidates taking the IELTS writing task 2 must write an essay of 250 words within a time limit of 40 minutes. This task holds a significant weightage of about 66% of the total writing marks in the IELTS exam. The total score for the writing section is based on four criteria, which include Task Response (25%), Coherence & Cohesion (25%), Vocabulary (25%), and Grammar (25%). IELTS writing task 2 includes various types of essays such as Opinion, Discussion, Advantage/Disadvantage, Direct Questions, and Solutions.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Structure

Candidates are required to follow a formal approach for presenting an argument in both IELTS general writing task 2 and IELTS academic writing task 2. There are several structural errors that must be avoided, including:

• Avoiding the use of contractions such as don't, haven't, won't.
• Refraining from using casual language or dialects in essay writing, such as "I wanna."
• Avoiding the use of personal examples in IELTS writing Task 2 essays.
• Avoiding the use of memorized essays.

How to Write Introduction for Task 2?

Numerous experts recommend that candidates should rephrase the question when writing the introduction for IELTS writing task 2. However, although it may appear to be an effortless approach, it will not guarantee a band score of 7. To score well on an IELTS essay, it is necessary to present an independent perspective. Some students opt to substitute a few words from the question with synonyms, but if the introduction fails to convey the complete meaning, marks may be deducted.

How to Write an IELTS Essay Logically?

It is crucial to plan when writing an IELTS essay within the given 40-minute timeframe. The examiner evaluates the essay's structure and coherence of argument. To enhance the quality of your IELTS essay, consider the following guidelines:

• Ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence.
• Use linking words like "on the other hand" and "first of all" to facilitate continuity for the examiner.
• Provide detailed explanations to support your arguments.
• Continuously refer back to the question and use appropriate examples and explanations to reinforce your points.

How to write less complex writing for IELTS Writing Task 2?

Examiners always prefer reading an IELTS essay that is easy to understand. Candidates should never use complex language to express opinions. Few small changes can land you a good IELTS band score for writing task 2. Steps to be followed are:

• Use conjunctions like and, but, because to join two simple sentences
• For conditional sentences always prefer using “if” or “although”
• Use relative clauses like That, What to make the sentence

How to Improve IELTS Academic Writing Task 2?

In the IELTS academic writing task 2, the candidate will be required to write articles that will be based on their reactions to an idea or premise. Everything should be in a formal manner, without any usage of ‘slang’ or informal words.

• Segregate your essay into 2 – 3 body paragraphs;
• 1st para: Outline the main point, introduce the topic, reveal how to describe the argument/present the discussion or you can check this video out.
• 2-3 paras: Will be based on certain points of explanations which will be further supported by examples;
• 4th para: All the points will be concluded and summarised.
• Ensure your sentence has an independent clause with a subject and verb;
• Don’t repeat words or ideas;
• Engage in a thoughtful tone that doesn’t sound angry, negative, and excited;
• Don’t use short forms
• Practice from IELTS writing task 2 sample answer
• Writing Task 2 topics can be of varied types like – art, environment, health, jobs, relationships, government and society

How can I Improve my IELTS General Writing Task 2?

The IELTS General writing task 2 aims at testing the candidate’s proficiency in daily communications which are related to general topics. When a statement is placed, the test taker might be asked to agree or disagree with it, or answer a few questions laid out.

• IELTS essay writing of general training is branched into 4-5 paragraphs.
• The 1st paragraph is always dedicated to presenting the subject of the essay, and how the candidate is planning to display it;
• The last paragraph is about summarising the whole ideas presented throughout along with the thoughts and recapitulate the overall things mentioned;
• The middle paragraphs or the body deals with all the aspects that they have curated from the topic and dealing with them is the task there;
• Precise explanations, responses, proper opinions, and examples – all these are needed in the middle paragraphs.
• It is always recommended to thoroughly read IELTS writing task 2 vocabulary to enhance the essay’s quality
• Practice from IELTS general writing task 2 samples for understanding the format.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Score 

The IELTS writing task 2 score is marked on a scale of 1 - 9 similar to task 1. As already mentioned, there are four criteria on which the task is measured and each of them holds 25% of the weightage, namely,

1. Task achievement (25%)
2. Coherency (25%)
3. Vocabulary (25%)
4. Grammatical Accuracy (25%)

The IELTS writing task 2 band 9 is the highest score one can obtain, to better understand the score, check the below score descriptors:

IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types

The IELTS writing task 2 questions are mostly similar for both academic and general training. There are five main types of questions found in the IELTS general writing task 2 topics:

1. Advantage/Disadvantage
   Example: More and More Students are Choosing to Study at Colleges and Universities IELTS Writing Task 2
2. Opinions
   Example: In the Future It Seems More Difficult to Live on Earth IELTS Writing Task 2
3. Discussion
   Example: People think that Zoos are Cruel IELTS Writing Task 2
4. Direct Questions
   Example: Today’s World Of Advanced Science And Technology, We Still Greatly Value Our Artists IELTS Writing Task 2
5. Solutions
   Example: In the Developed World, Average Life Expectancy is Increasing IELTS Writing Task 2

There is a slight difference in the topics of academic and general, the latter has comparatively easier topics than the former.

The IELTS Essay writing task 2 can be either a one-sided or two-sided opinionated essay depending on the question type. The structure of the essay will of following kind