How to write an IELTS Task 2
One of the IELTS writing examiners that works with us wrote this piece ion how to write an IELTS Task 2
There are a number of ways to write a Task 2 but this is by far the easiest if you are aiming for Band 7.0+
1. Structure. Only write 4 paragraphs. An introduction, 2 body paragraphs of equal length and a conclusion. Your writing should look like
2. Understand what the question is asking you to do. If the question says
- Do you agree or disagree?
- To what extent do you agree?
- What is your opinion?
then you only need to focus on your position. You do not have to balance the essay and discuss both sides. Only when the question asks you to do this do you have to do so.
3. In body paragraph 1, introduce 1 idea (no more), extend it, then add a real-life example to support it in as much detail as you can. Then do the same in body paragraph 2.
4. Your introduction and conclusion should be concise. You don’t get any marks for your introduction/conclusion so don’t spend too long on them. Most of the Task Achievement marks are from your body paragraphs.
5. Timing is very important. You need to plan for 5-10 minutes, write for 20-25 minutes and most importantly, reread and edit your work for 5 minutes to correct some of the errors.
After you have done this a few times and have got used to doing it, writing Task 2 will become easier.
Once you can do this in 40 minutes then you are ready to have someone check your IELTS writing. Use us. We are the only service that uses IELTS examiners. We are the only ones that can accurately mark your work. Whatever you do, don’t book an exam until you are getting what you need in the written exam.
Good advice. You can do an IELTS writing Task with us here and we will send you Task 2 to try (Or you can send your own)
Comments (6)
Thank you for this. I will try my best for Task 2.
You are welcome Ngo. Keep practising. The quicker you get at this, the easier it will be for you write a Task 2 and the more time you will have for checking your work. Good luck
According to the information in one of the Cambridge Practice Tests books, you are required to present a balanced opinion in ‘to what extent…’ questions. This information was recently confirmed by a current writing examiner who also said that 1. if you need a score for TR that is higher than 7, then you must respond with a balanced opinion. and 2, if you choose only one side, to get band 7, you must state that you completely/totally agree or disagree or the TR score will be limited to 6.
Hello. Thank you for your message. Could you let us know which Cambridge book that is Enda? The official line is that when the question says “Discuss both sides” then you have to do so, otherwise, you don’t. As for what the examiner said, we have to disagree. Whether you discuss one side or both in “To what extent” questions is not the difference between Band 6 and 7; that simply is not true. Maybe you could ask them for clarification?
When we have recertification (IELTS examiners are retrained every 2 years), this is something that often comes up and the answer is always the same, “To what extent/What do you think? Do you agree etc” questions don’t need to be balanced because you are being asked for your opinion, nothing else.
Best wishes
The upmyielts team
I really want to work hard in order for me to pass the IELTS am writing the IELTS in November do you think I will pass or what are the things you think I should do to achieve a positive result.
Hello Sandra
Thank you for your comment. Well, it all depends on what you are scoring at the moment in your writing. As your exam is a while away we really recommend that you do a full writing exam. Have a look in the shop on this site. Then, IELTS examiners can show you exactly what you are scoring and why. They will also show you exactly what you need to do to get higher marks. You have time to put the advice into practice too.
This will ensure that you get what you need in the writing part of the exam.
Best wishes
The upmyielts team