IELTS Writing Task 2: the 5 question types, a simple essay plan and band 7 samples
IELTS Writing Task 2 is an essay of at least 250 words, and it is the same kind of task in Academic and General Training. It also counts twice as much as Task 1 in your Writing score. This guide shows you how to recognise the five question types, plan a clear four-paragraph essay and use your 40 minutes well. You will also find three band 7 sample essays and 20 practice questions sorted by type.
What is IELTS Writing Task 2?
In IELTS Writing Task 2, you are given “a point of view, argument or problem” and you write an essay that discusses it (IELTS). You must write at least 250 words, and you should spend no more than 40 minutes on it. There is no upper limit, so writing more does not lose you marks.
The task is the same kind of essay in IELTS Academic and General Training, with the same length and the same marking. In General Training, the topics are of general interest, so they can feel a little more everyday (IELTS).
Task 2 matters more than anything else in the Writing test. According to IELTS, it “contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score”. Therefore, a weak Task 2 pulls your whole Writing band down, even when your Task 1 goes well.
How IELTS Writing Task 2 is marked
Your essay gets a band for each of four criteria, and the four count equally. Here is what each one checks, and what band 7 looks like in plain English. The band 7 lines paraphrase the official band descriptors.
Task Response
Did you answer the question?
You answer all the main parts properly. Your position is clear from start to finish, and your main ideas are extended and supported, though some may be too general.
Coherence and Cohesion
Is your essay easy to follow?
Your ideas are logically organised and move forward clearly. You use a range of linking and reference words flexibly, with a few small slips, and your paragraphs work well.
Lexical Resource
How well do you use vocabulary?
You use enough vocabulary to be flexible and precise, including some less common words. You show awareness of style and collocation, though some choices are not quite right.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
How varied and correct are your sentences?
You use a variety of complex structures with some flexibility. Grammar and punctuation are generally well controlled, and many sentences have no errors.
IELTS also names four things that cost marks. First, an essay that goes off-topic loses marks. Second, your answer must be connected text in full sentences, so notes and bullet points lose marks. Third, plagiarism brings a severe penalty. Finally, if your essay is too short, “there may not be enough evidence” of your English for a higher band.
To see every band from 5 to 8 for each criterion, read IELTS Writing band descriptors explained in simple English.
The 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 question types
Every IELTS Writing Task 2 question has a task line, and that line tells you the question type. The type then tells you what your essay must do. So read the task line first, before you think about the topic.
Opinion
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give your own view and keep it the same from start to finish. You can agree, disagree or partly agree.
Discussion
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Explain both views fairly, one in each body paragraph. Then say clearly which view you support.
Advantages and disadvantages
Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Weigh up the two sides and say which one is stronger. If the task only asks you to discuss them, cover both.
Problem and solution
What causes this problem? How can we solve it?
Explain the problems or causes in one body paragraph and the solutions in the other. Match each solution to a problem.
Two-part question
Why is this the case? Is this a positive or negative change?
Answer both questions, one in each body paragraph, and give a clear answer to each.
A 4-paragraph plan for every IELTS Writing Task 2 essay
You do not need a different structure for each question type. The same four paragraphs work for all five, and they keep your essay easy to follow. In total, this plan gives you about 260–290 words.
- Introduction Paraphrase the question, then give your position or say what the essay will cover.
- Body paragraph 1 Your first main idea, explained and supported with an example.
- Body paragraph 2 Your second main idea, or the other side, developed in the same way.
- Conclusion Sum up your answer and repeat your position in new words.
However, what goes in the two body paragraphs depends on the question type:
| Question type | Body paragraph 1 | Body paragraph 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Opinion | Your first reason | Your second reason |
| Discussion | The first view | The second view, and your opinion |
| Advantages and disadvantages | The weaker side | The stronger side |
| Problem and solution | Problems or causes | Solutions |
| Two-part question | Your answer to question 1 | Your answer to question 2 |
How to write each paragraph
The introduction
Your introduction needs only two sentences. First, paraphrase the question: keep the meaning, but change the words and the sentence structure. Then give your position, or say what the essay will do.
Your position
Band 7 needs a position that is clear from start to finish. So state it in your introduction, support it in the body, and repeat it in the conclusion. Never change your mind halfway through the essay.
There are many advantages and disadvantages to free university education.
The reader still does not know what you think.
I agree with this view, because free university education gives every talented young person the same chance and benefits the whole of society.
It gives a clear view and two reasons for the body paragraphs to develop.
A partly-agree position is fine as well, as long as you explain exactly which part you agree with and why.
Body paragraphs: idea, explain, example
Each body paragraph develops one main idea in three steps. First, state the idea in a topic sentence. Next, explain it: why is it true, and what does it lead to? Finally, support it with an example from your own knowledge or experience.
Your example does not need to be a statistic. In fact, a short real-life example often works better than an invented number, which can make an essay sound less believable.
The conclusion
Your conclusion sums up your answer in one or two sentences. Start with “In conclusion,” and repeat your position in new words. Do not add a new idea here, because you have no space left to develop it.
How to use your 40 minutes
The Writing test lasts 60 minutes for both tasks, and you decide how to split the time. Most students spend about 20 minutes on Task 1, which leaves 40 minutes for Task 2. Here is a simple way to use them.
- Plan
Find the question type and underline every part of the question. Then decide your position and note two main ideas, each with an example.
- Write
Write the introduction in about 5 minutes, each body paragraph in about 10, and the conclusion in about 5.
- Check
Read your essay for the errors you usually make, such as verb forms, articles, plurals and missing full stops.
Many students skip the plan because they feel they have no time. However, five minutes of planning usually saves time, because you never stop halfway and wonder what to write next.
IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answers (band 7)
Here are three band 7 sample essays, each on a different question type. All three follow the 4-paragraph plan, so look at how the position and the body paragraphs work. They are our own essays, and the band is a teaching estimate, not an official score.
Opinion essay (agree or disagree): band 7 sample
Some people believe that university education should be free for every student, with the cost paid by the government. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Band 7 sample answer
In many countries, students pay high fees to attend university, and some people argue that the government should cover these costs instead. I agree with this view, because free university education gives every talented young person the same chance and benefits the whole of society.
The main reason I support free university education is fairness. When students have to pay fees, the decision to study often depends on their parents' income rather than on their ability. A bright student from a poor family may decide to start work at eighteen, simply because the cost of a degree seems frightening. In my country, for example, many capable students from rural areas never apply to university because their families cannot afford the fees. If university were free, the best places would go to the most able students, whatever their background.
Another reason is that society as a whole gains from a well-educated population. Every country needs doctors, engineers and teachers, and all of them need university training. A single doctor trained at public expense, for instance, may treat thousands of patients during a long career. Graduates also tend to earn more, which means that they pay more tax over their working lives. As a result, the money the government spends on their education is likely to come back over time. Some people object that taxpayers should not pay for other people to study. However, everyone benefits when hospitals and schools are run by well-trained professionals.
In conclusion, I strongly agree that governments should pay for university education. It makes higher education fairer, and the money returns to the country in the form of skilled workers and higher tax income.
Why it is band 7
The position is clear in the first paragraph and the last, and each body paragraph explains one reason with an example.
Useful phrases
- argue that
- rather than on their ability
- whatever their background
- society as a whole
- tend to earn more
- Some people object that
- in the form of
Discussion essay (discuss both views): band 7 sample
Some people think that governments should spend money on exploring outer space, while others believe this money should be spent on solving problems on Earth. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Band 7 sample answer
Space programmes cost governments huge amounts of money every year. While some people see this spending as a valuable investment, others think it should be used to solve problems here on Earth. In my view, space research deserves some funding, but urgent problems such as poverty and disease should come first.
Those who support space exploration argue that it brings practical benefits. Satellites, for example, make accurate weather forecasts and phone navigation possible, and they help scientists to monitor climate change. Research for space missions has also led to new materials and medical equipment that are now used on Earth. Their warnings about dangerous storms can give people time to leave their homes, which saves lives. In addition, space programmes inspire young people to study science and engineering, and this helps a country's economy in the long term.
On the other hand, many people believe that this money is needed more urgently elsewhere. Millions of people still live without clean water, basic healthcare or a decent school, and even in rich countries many families struggle to pay for housing. The cost of a single space mission could pay for new hospitals or schools in poorer regions. From this point of view, it seems wrong to spend fortunes on exploring distant planets while people on our own planet are suffering. I largely agree with this argument, because the needs on Earth affect people's lives today.
In conclusion, space exploration has real benefits, especially through satellites that protect and connect people. However, I believe governments should spend most of their budgets on urgent needs such as health and education, and keep a smaller amount for carefully chosen space research.
Why it is band 7
The essay explains both views fairly, one in each body paragraph, and the writer's own opinion is clear in the introduction, Body 2 and the conclusion.
Useful phrases
- a valuable investment
- deserves some funding
- Those who support
- in the long term
- On the other hand
- From this point of view
- I largely agree with this argument
Problem and solution essay: band 7 sample
In many countries, school students are under great pressure to get high marks in their exams. Why is this happening? What can be done to reduce this pressure?
Band 7 sample answer
In many countries today, school students feel enormous pressure to achieve top marks in their exams. This pressure comes mainly from competition for university places and from parents' expectations, but schools and governments can do a great deal to reduce it.
The main cause is fierce competition for good universities and jobs. In many countries, a single set of final exams decides which university a student can attend, so one bad day can seem to ruin a whole future. Students know that a few marks can make the difference between their first choice and no place at all. Parents add to this pressure. Because they want the best for their children, many of them pay for extra classes after school and compare their children's results with those of friends and relatives. As a result, some teenagers study late every night and have little time for sleep, sport or friends.
There are several ways to reduce this pressure. First, governments could make final exams less important by giving marks for coursework and projects completed during the year. That way, a student's future would not depend on a few hours in an exam room. Second, schools could hold meetings to show parents how too much pressure can harm their children's health and even lower their results. Finally, schools should teach students practical ways to manage stress, such as planning their revision and taking regular breaks.
In conclusion, exam pressure is mainly caused by intense competition and high expectations at home. If assessment were spread across the school year and parents understood the risks, students could still work hard without damaging their health or their love of learning.
Why it is band 7
Body 1 explains the causes and Body 2 matches a solution to each one, so both questions get a full answer.
Useful phrases
- comes mainly from
- fierce competition
- add to this pressure
- As a result
- There are several ways to
- That way
- spread across the school year
Notice what these three essays have in common. Each one answers every part of its question, keeps one position, and gives each main idea its own paragraph. Also, none of them uses rare words for their own sake.
8 IELTS Writing Task 2 mistakes that cost marks
- Answering only part of the question
If the task asks two questions, answer both. Missing one part keeps your Task Response mark low.
- No clear position
In opinion and discussion essays, the reader must know what you think. So say it in the introduction and keep it the same.
- Writing about the topic, not the question
Discuss the issues in the question, not the wider subject. An essay that goes off-topic loses marks.
- Ideas without explanation
A list of short reasons looks like lower-band writing. Instead, explain each main idea and support it with an example.
- Too many linking words
Starting every sentence with “Moreover” or “Furthermore” sounds mechanical. Use a linking word only when it shows a real connection.
- Fewer than 250 words
A short essay may not give enough evidence of your English for a higher band. Aim for about 260–290 words.
- Notes or bullet points
Your essay must be connected text in full sentences. Notes and bullet points lose marks, even when you run out of time.
- No time to check
Small errors in verb forms, articles and plurals add up. Therefore, keep the last 5 minutes to find them.
IELTS Writing Task 2 topics by question type
Here are 20 practice questions, four for each question type. We wrote them ourselves for practice, so they are not questions from real tests. Plan an answer to one of them each day in 5 minutes, and write one full essay a week.
Opinion: to what extent do you agree or disagree?
- Some people believe that university education should be free for every student, with the cost paid by the government.
- Some people believe that every child should have a pet, because looking after an animal teaches responsibility.
- Some people think that people should take fewer holidays abroad by plane in order to protect the environment.
- Some people believe that working in groups is the best way for students to learn.
Discussion: discuss both views and give your own opinion
- Some people think that governments should spend money on exploring outer space, while others believe this money should be spent on solving problems on Earth.
- Some people think that girls and boys learn better in separate schools, while others believe that mixed schools are better for both.
- Some people believe it is best to stay in one job for many years, while others think that changing jobs every few years is better for a career.
- Some people think that sport at school should be about competing and winning, while others believe it should simply be for fun and fitness.
Advantages and disadvantages: which outweigh the other?
- Many countries compete to host major international sports events, such as the Olympic Games. Do the benefits of hosting these events outweigh the costs?
- In some schools, students now use tablet computers instead of printed textbooks. Do the benefits of this change outweigh the drawbacks?
- More and more people wear devices that record their sleep, heart rate and daily exercise. Is this a positive development overall?
- In some countries, many shops and supermarkets now stay open 24 hours a day. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Problem and solution: causes, effects and solutions
- In many countries, school students are under great pressure to get high marks in their exams. Why is this happening? What can be done to reduce this pressure?
- More and more children are being bullied online. What harm does this do? What can parents and schools do about it?
- In some parts of the world, good farmland is slowly turning into desert. What are the main causes? How could we solve this problem?
- In many countries, few women reach the top jobs in business and government. Why is this? How could we help more women to reach them?
Two-part question: answer both questions
- In many countries, couples now start families later in life than their parents did. Why is this happening? Is this a positive or a negative change?
- These days, many students choose a university far from home rather than one in their own town. Why do they do this? Is it a good trend?
- More people are moving out of big cities to live in small towns and villages. Why might this be? What effects does it have on the places they move to?
- Many children today know far less about nature, such as plants, birds and insects, than children did a generation ago. Why is this? Does it matter?
Practise Task 2 on a real exam screen
Reading sample essays helps, but you improve by writing your own in 40 minutes. Our free Writing Practice Test 1 works like the computer-delivered test: the task is on the left, you type on the right, and a word counter shows your total. Its Task 2 is an opinion essay, so you can use the 4-paragraph plan straight away.
When you finish both tasks, you can get AI Writing feedback for $4: an estimated band for Task 1, Task 2 and Writing overall, marks on the four criteria, and your own sentences corrected. However, it is an estimate, not an official IELTS score.
Questions about IELTS Writing Task 2
How many words should I write in IELTS Writing Task 2?
At least 250 words. Writing more does not lose marks, but about 260–290 words is usually enough for a full answer, and it leaves you time to check.
How long should I spend on Task 2?
No more than 40 minutes. The Writing test lasts 60 minutes for both tasks, so keep about 20 minutes for Task 1.
Is IELTS Writing Task 2 the same in Academic and General Training?
Yes. In both tests it is an essay of at least 250 words, marked on the same four criteria. General Training topics are of general interest, so they can feel more everyday.
Should I write Task 2 first?
You can answer the two tasks in any order. Many students start with Task 2 because it counts twice as much as Task 1, so they never have to rush it at the end.
How many paragraphs should a Task 2 essay have?
Four paragraphs work well for every question type: an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion. Some students write three body paragraphs, which is fine if they develop each one fully.
Is there a template for IELTS Writing Task 2?
The four-paragraph plan in this guide works as a template for every question type, and a few linking phrases help too. However, your ideas and most of your words must answer the exact question, because Task Response is a quarter of your mark.
Do I always need to give my opinion?
Only when the question asks for it, as in opinion and discussion essays, or when it asks you to judge, as in “Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?”. In the other types, give a clear answer to each question.
Can an AI checker mark my Task 2 essay?
Yes, an AI checker can estimate your band and point out errors. ExamBand's AI Writing feedback marks both tasks of a full test on the four criteria and corrects your own sentences. Remember that any AI band is an estimate, not an official IELTS score.
Read next: IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic): how to describe a graph, chart or map
Facts checked on 19 October 2026 with official sources
