When it comes to helping students prepare for the IELTS test, one of the biggest concerns is how to perform well in IELTS Writing Task 2. IELTS Writing Task 2 is the second part of the writing test, where you are given a point of view, argument, or problem and asked to write an essay in response. It’s important to note that your essay should be in a formal style, at least 250 words in length, and completed within 40 minutes.
IELTS Writing Task 2: Everything You Need to Know
In this article, I will outline exactly what you need to do in order to create an IELTS Writing Task 2 essay that could score a Band 7, 8, or 9. It doesn’t matter if you’re new to IELTS or if you have failed the exam before. I have broken down the process into a simple 3-step approach that anyone can use to improve their scores. Watch the video above to discover these steps.
5 Steps to a Band 7 in IELTS Writing Task 2
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Understand the question. Before attempting to answer the question, it is crucial to fully comprehend it. This way, you will know exactly what the examiner is looking for. One common mistake that students make is not answering the question completely, which prevents them from achieving a score higher than Band 5. To analyze the question, you must first identify its type, then identify the keywords, and finally identify the instruction words. This process will help you understand the examiner’s expectations.
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Plan your answer. The highest-scoring students in Writing Task 2 always spend up to 10 minutes planning their answers. Planning helps you organize your ideas and structure your essay before writing it, saving you time and ensuring that your essay is clear and coherent.
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Write an introduction. Your introduction should directly address the question. This shows the examiner that you understand the task and sets the stage for the main body paragraphs.
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Write the main body paragraphs. This is where you provide more detail to support your main points. State your main points and back them up with explanations and relevant examples.
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Write a conclusion. In your conclusion, summarize the main points you have already discussed in your essay.
4 Ways to Improve Your Score in IELTS Writing Task 2
Many people recognize the need to improve their writing skills but are unsure how to go about it. Here are four ways you can enhance your score in Writing Task 2:
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Understand the exam. Before anything else, it is essential to understand what IELTS Writing Task 2 entails, what is expected of you, and how to provide what the examiners are looking for. Finding a reliable source of information is crucial, as there is a lot of conflicting and poor-quality information available online.
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Identify your weak areas. Just like diagnosing a car problem or a medical condition, you need to identify the specific areas where you are struggling. Once you know why you are not achieving the desired score, you can seek targeted help to improve.
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Fix the problems. Once you have identified your weak areas, you can work on fixing them. Whether it’s grammar, vocabulary, or any other aspect of writing, addressing these specific issues will help you improve. It is important to seek guidance from an experienced and knowledgeable teacher who can provide accurate and helpful feedback.
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Practice and get feedback. Practice alone is not enough. You need to receive feedback on your work in order to improve. Just as you wouldn’t try to teach yourself how to drive without an instructor, you need someone who can provide you with accurate and constructive feedback. This feedback will help you refine your skills and move closer to achieving your desired score.
Now that you understand what needs to be done, have identified your areas for improvement, worked on fixing them, and received feedback, you are ready to achieve the IELTS Writing Task 2 score you deserve.
Writing Task 2 Structures
It is important to note that structures alone are not a magic wand that guarantees a higher score. However, they can definitely help. These structures offer a sentence-by-sentence template for various Task 2 question types, making it easier for you to organize your thoughts and write your essay on exam day.
- Task 2 Essay Structures
Essential Writing Task 2 Skills
No matter how strong your English skills are, it is crucial to learn IELTS writing skills before taking the Writing Task 2 test. These helpful guides will walk you through each of these skills step-by-step:
- How to Plan an Essay
- How to Think of Relevant Ideas
- How to Write a Complex Sentence
- How to Paraphrase
- How to Write a Supporting Paragraph
- How to Write a Thesis Statement
- How many words should I write?
- How to Understand and Analyze Any Question
- How to Write a Great Introduction
- Task 2 Marking Criteria
- How to Write a Conclusion
- Using Examples
- Cohesive Devices
- The Danger of Synonyms
- Paragraphing and Editing
- IELTS Writing Task 2: 8 Steps to Success
- IELTS Writing Tips
- Coherence and Cohesion
Writing Task 2 Common Topics
Knowing the common topics can help you prepare for the test more efficiently. Here are the 10 most common topics over the last few years. Studying hard is great, but don’t forget to study smart. The article below provides insights into the top 10 most common IELTS topics.
- Most Common Task 2 Topics
Full IELTS Writing Task 2 Practice Lessons
Here are some lessons that I have used when teaching students about IELTS Writing Task 2. I have adapted them so that you can easily learn from home. Although they are lengthy, they contain all the necessary information combined with the skills mentioned above.
- Agree or Disagree (Opinion) Lesson
- Discussion Essay Lesson
- Problem and Solution Essay Lesson
- Advantages and Disadvantages Lesson
- Writing Task 2 Exercise with Video
- From Band 6.5 to 8 Demo Lesson
Sample Answers
To gauge your progress and ensure that you are on the right track, it is important to have good examples to compare your writing to. The link below provides numerous sample answers and over 100 questions.
- Task 2 Sample Answers
- Agree or Disagree Sample Essays
- Task 2 Band 9 Sample Essay
- Latest Real Task 2 Questions
- Official Sample Test Questions
- Cambridge Sample Questions
- Free Practice Test
- How to Use Task 2 Samples
- Recent Confusing Questions
- IELTS Writing Practice Guide
IELTS Writing Task 2 Essential Information
Here is some essential information about IELTS Writing Task 2:
- You must write an essay in response to a question.
- The essay should be at least 250 words.
- Task 2 is worth two-thirds of your total mark in the Writing test.
- You should spend around 40 minutes on this part of the test.
- General Training and Academic modules are essentially the same for Task 2, but different for Task 1.
- There are different types of questions that you may be asked, such as opinion and discussion. See below for more detailed information.
- You will be assessed in four areas: Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
Grammar and Vocabulary
Grammar is one of the four areas you will be assessed on in the Writing Task 2 test. Identifying and fixing common grammar mistakes can significantly boost your score. Here are some frequently encountered grammar mistakes that I have come across while creating hundreds of tests. By addressing these areas of weakness, you can improve your grammar and writing score dramatically.
- Top 10 Grammar Mistakes
- Using Personal Pronouns
To find answers to commonly asked questions about IELTS Writing Task 2, use the interactive tool available on our website.
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