IELTS Writing Task 2 - Essay Topics, Scoring Criteria, Tips

The IELTS writing task is considered to be the toughest section and students are often worried about their band scores. One of the common problems that students preparing for the IELTS writing task 2 is that they watch and read unauthenticated material and bind themselves to make errors and end up scoring a low band score. However, if the IELTS writing preparation is done correctly, even the dullest candidate can easily score his/her required bands in the writing section and clear their eligibility.

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This Story also Contains

1. Types of IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions:
2. IELTS Essay Topics
3. IELTS Writing Task 2- Opinion Based Questions
4. IELTS Writing Task 2- Advantage Disadvantage Essays Guidelines
5. IELTS Writing Task 2: Problem and Solution- Essay
6. IELTS Writing Task 2: cause and effect - Essay
7. IELTS WRITING TASK 2 ESSAYS
8. IELTS Preparation Books
9. IELTS PRACTICE TESTS

While many students commonly search for the way writing task 2 should be addressed, today's article will provide you with easy and clear strategies to score high in the IELTS writing task 2.

Let's first understand the type of essays that are normally asked in the IELTS writing task 2 section and the requirements that are assessed to acquire a high band score.

Types of IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions:

• Opinion-based questions,

• Advantages and Disadvantages - Essay

• Problem- Solution Essay

• Causes and Effects- Essay

• Two different questions- Essay

IELTS Essay Topics

The type of topics used for the IELTS writing task 2 in the Academic and IELTS General paper are commonly listed below. By referring to these writing task 2 topics, the candidate can understand what sort of topics are asked in the exam.

List of Common IELTS Writing Task 2 topics are -

Education

Environmental Issues

AI Technology

Sociology

Art

Health

Sports

Government Schemes

Travel

IELTS Writing Task 2- Band Parameter Analysis - The image below is taken from the official website of the British council.

Table Extracted from - Writing Band Descriptors Copyright © 2023 by the British Council

Now, let's look at some example questions to understand the way the IELTS writing task 2 should be attempted.

IELTS Writing Task 2- Opinion Based Questions

This type of question is further categorised into three parts:

• Opinion Based- Discuss both views

• Opinion Based- Agree or disagree

• Opinion Based- How far do you agree/disagree?

Example Question:

Governments should spend money on railways rather than roads. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

The first thing to remember is that you don’t need to discuss both sides for the question above, but you can if you want. Therefore, you have a choice about whether to discuss the ‘agree’ side, the ‘disagree’ side or discuss both sides (i.e., give a partial opinion). We’ll examine these options later. Even if you choose to discuss both sides, you must clearly state whether your opinion agrees or disagrees. This is very important for your Task Achievement score.

To have a clear position, you should:

To address any type of question, you should carefully analyse the band parameters and to score high it clearly indicates that you should have a clear position.

Example: IELTS Writing Task 2- Opinion Based Question

1. Strongly agree. You think governments should spend money on rail rather than roads. You discuss only this side.

2. Strongly disagree. You think governments should spend money on roads rather than rail. You discuss only this side.

3. Partially agree/ disagree. You discuss both sides, but you have a clear opinion about rail or road.

As you can see from the table above, your essay's exact position is crucial for your Task Achievement. So, we recommend IELTS students to give their opinion, both in the introduction and the conclusion (for all Task 2 questions).

Although, it's okay to write a normal introduction and leave your opinion to the end. But we strongly suggest that you don’t do this because it’s not as clear. You might also run out of time before you’ve come to your conclusion, so overall, it’s a risky strategy.

Now, let's check the structure you should follow for opinion-based questions in detail:

1. Strongly agree – you feel rail is much more important than roads.

You need two good reasons why rail is more important.

• Introduction paragraph- paraphrase the information and also mention your opinion (rail is more important)

• Body paragraph 1- Explain and support your first reason why rails are important along with an example.

• Body Paragraph-2 Explain and Support your second reason why rails are important along with an example.

• Conclusion paragraph- Re-state your opinion and summarise the main reasons.

2. Strongly disagree – you feel roads are much more important than rail.

You need two good reasons why roads are more important.

• Introduction paragraph- paraphrase the information and also mention your opinion (the road is more important)

• Body paragraph 1- Explain and support your first reason why roads are important along with an example.

• Body Paragraph-2 Explain and Support your second reason why roads are important along with an example.

• Conclusion paragraph- Restate your opinion and summarise the main reasons.

3. Discuss both sides – You think one side is good, but overall the other side is more important.

You need one good reason for each side.

In the example below, you feel the reason for supporting rail is more important than supporting roads.

• Introduction paragraph- paraphrase the information and also mention your opinion (roads are important but rail is more important)

• Body paragraph 1- Explain and support your first reason why roads are important along with an example.

• Body Paragraph-2 Explain and Support your second reason why rails are important along with an example.

• Conclusion paragraph- Restate your opinion and summarise the main reasons.

Summarising all three options mentioned above, it is really clear to understand that you need to present the ideas in a very simple and clear manner.

Remember that you should never support both views equally as this will not highlight a clear conclusion, and if you do not present a clear conclusion, you will end up losing your band score. The best way here is to support any one side of the opinion.

IELTS Writing Task 2- Advantage Disadvantage Essays Guidelines

This type of question is further categorised into two:

• Discuss both advantages and disadvantages

• Discuss if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages- vice versa

Now let's understand the structure of IELTS writing essay to score high

Example Question 1:

Some people think that there should be a car-free day once every month, on which no private vehicles are allowed on the road. Discuss the advantages and possible disadvantages.

The first thing to remember is that you need to discuss both sides, but you are not supposed to give your opinion. This is very important for your Task Achievement score.

Now let’s look at the essay structure in more detail.

Advantage - Disadvantage – You need to list the various advantages and disadvantages, but show no leniency on either side. You need at least one good reason for each side.

In the given example, you will discuss the merits and demerits of having a car-free day.

• Introduction paragraph- paraphrase the information and also mention what the reader can expect in the essay.

• Body paragraph 1- Explain and support the advantages of having a car-free day.

• Body Paragraph-2 Explain and Support the disadvantages of having a car-free day.

• Conclusion paragraph- Re-state the merits and demerits and end with generalised observations.

Remember that the essay has clarity and there is no opinion given in the essay.

A clear position and clear structure mean your essay is easier to mark, which should mean a higher score.

Example Question 2:

Nowadays, parents are allowing their children to use tablets and smartphones to enhance learning. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

Here, you need to carefully understand that you have to discuss both merits and demerits and you are also required to state your opinion. In this type of essay, we suggest that your view has to be stated clearly in both the introduction paragraph and the conclusion paragraph so that you meet the task response requirements and score high bands.

Now let’s look at the essay structure in more detail.

Advantage - Disadvantage – You need to list the various advantages and disadvantages, But you must show leniency towards any one side. You need at least one good reason for each side, but the importance of the side you support should come through.

In the example below, you will discuss the pros and cons of parents permitting their children to use digital media to enhance learning.

• Introduction paragraph- paraphrase the information and also mention what the reader can expect in the essay along with your opinion.

• Body paragraph 1- Explain and support the advantages of parental permission on using smart gadgets.

• Body Paragraph 2- Explain and Support the disadvantages of parental permission on using smart gadgets.

• Conclusion paragraph- Explain why the advantages outweigh the disadvantages or vice versa.

Remember that if you present your ideas with clarity, you are sure to score high bands in your IELTS writing task 2.

IELTS Writing Task 2: Problem and Solution- Essay

This type of question is quite straightforward and just demands you to correctly plan the problems associated with the mentioned question and state the solutions for the problems you mention.

The only IELTS writing task 2 tip in this type of IELTS essay question is that you should not mix problems and solutions, that is, the problem and solution topics should not differ.

Example Question:

Studies have shown that in many countries the income gap between the rich and poor is ever-increasing. What problems can arise from this situation and what could be done to address this situation?

Here, you need to analyse the number of problems and solutions that are asked in the question. You have been asked to discuss issues and solutions (measures), but in fact, it’s better if you can think of two leading problems and solutions. This means you can spend more time developing those ideas which will then improve your Task Achievement score.

So, the essay structure will be like:

Possible Essay Structure- you discuss the leading problems first then discuss the primary solutions. You need two leading causes and two main solutions.

• Introduction paragraph- paraphrase the information and also mention what the reader can expect in the essay.

• Body paragraph 1- Explain and highlight the problems if countries have an income gap between the rich and poor.

• Body Paragraph-2 Explain and highlight the possible solutions of the problems mentioned in paragraph 1.

• Conclusion paragraph- Restate the problem and summarise your main ideas.

Remember that if you present your ideas with clarity, you are sure to score high bands in your IELTS writing task 2.

IELTS Writing Task 2: cause and effect - Essay

Under this type of question, it is very important for the students to understand the difference between the words problems and causes, as well as the difference between solutions and effects of the cause.

Example Question:

In developing nations, many people are leaving their reputed jobs and settling in developed countries. What are the causes and effects of this practice?

The plan of the essay should be made correctly to score high bands, and the sample structure under this type of essay should be like

• Introduction paragraph- paraphrase the information and also mention what the reader can expect in the essay.

• Body paragraph 1- Explain the causes of the reason people are shifting to developed nations.

• Body Paragraph 2 Explain and highlight the effects of this practice.

• Conclusion paragraph- Restate the problem and summarise your main ideas.

Remember that you should mention only two causes and effects, and as mentioned earlier the causes and the effects should relate to each other for you to score a high band score.

IELTS writing preparation requires appropriate practice before you appear for the main exam. We highly recommend you follow the given structure for the type of questions mentioned to score high bands.

IELTS WRITING TASK 2 ESSAYS

IELTS Preparation Books

The candidates are encouraged to download and study these ebooks specifically designed for IELTS success. These IELTS Preparation books are designed by IELTS experts to help candidates enhance their IELTS preparation.

IELTS PRACTICE TESTS

Higher band scores can only be achieved through dedicated practice. To support and help the candidates in tackling the challenges set by IELTS examinations, we have designed a comprehensive collection of these IELTS practice tests.

IELTS WRITING PRACTICE TESTS