Most Common Vocabulary for IELTS Writing Task 2

In IELTS Writing Task 2, you’ll be writing a formal essay. This could ask you anything from your opinion
on an current public issue, to discussing the advantages and disadvantages of a solution to an issue, to
coming up with solutions to an issue on your own!

Words to Use in IELTS Writing Task 2: Introduction

At the beginning of Writing Task 2, you’ll need to restate the prompt, give your thesis, and provide an
overview of the essay. Here’s the most common vocabulary used in IELTS Writing Task 2 to do that.

 It appears that…

 It may seem that…

 I/This essay will show that…

 I/This essay will argue that…

 To examine this issue, this essay will examine both….and…

 Firstly, this essay will…and secondly, it will….

What does this look like in practice? Here are a few examples!

 It appears that exercise has both physical and mental benefits.

 It may seem that studying the arts is useless, but the opposite is true.

 This essay will show that smartphones are actually beneficial.

 I will argue that the government should play a larger, not a smaller, role in public health.

 To examine this issue, this essay will examine both the social and physical effects of family
meals.

 Firstly, this essay will describe the advantages of this policy and secondly, it will explain the
disadvantages of this policy.

Words to Use in IELTS Writing Task 2: Paragraphs

Within each body paragraph, you need a clear topic sentence. Sometimes, these will be as simple as
listing examples, but you can also use words and phrases to illustrate conflicts and contradictions
between ideas. Here’s the most common vocabulary used in IELTS Writing Task 2 to do that.

 First of all,

 In addition,

 For example,

 For instance,

 Conversely,
  However,

What does this look like in practice? Here are a few examples!

 First of all, the government takes a strong role in limiting gambling and other forms of
entertainment, so it should also take a larger role in sports.

 In addition, employees may find that no further opportunities are available for them at the
same company past a certain point.

 For example, self-checkout options lead to the loss of jobs within the community.

 For instance, electric cars damage the environment far less than cars that run on petrol.

 Conversely, the energy involved in producing electric cars may outweigh the overall energy
savings.

 However, it is important to acknowledge the negative impacts of smartphones, particularly on

mental health.

Words to Use in IELTS Writing Task 2: Conclusion

You’ll need to transition to your final paragraph (your conclusion) smoothly. Rather than just restating
the thesis statement right away, use transition words and phrases to wrap up. Here’s the most common
vocabulary used in IELTS Writing Task 2 to do that.

 Finally,

 To summarise,

 In the end,

 On balance,

 Therefore,

What does this look like in practice? Here are a few examples!

 Finally, young people should welcome advice from their elders.

 To summarise, junk food is an unnecessary burden on public health and should be regulated.

 In the end, universities should make history courses requirements for graduation.

 On balance, the recent dependence on the Internet is a positive development.

 Therefore, the government should more strictly regulate violent content in films and other
media.
LINKING WORDS
Opinions**

 I think/feel/believe that…

 Personally, I feel that…

 As far as I am concerned…

 From my point of view…

 I admit that….

 I concur that…

 I agree that….

Addition*  On the condition that…

 Provided that…
 Moreover,…
 As long as…
 Furthermore,…
 Supposing that…
 In addition,…
 Otherwise…
 Additionally,…
Concession**
 Likewise,…
 Admittedly,…
 On top of that,…
 Even though…
Emphasis**
 Although…
 Clearly,…
 Despite…
 Indeed,…
 In spite of…
 Especially,…
Example**
 In particular,…
 For instance,…
 Particularly,…
 For example,…
 Without a doubt,…
 …,such as…
 Obviously,…
 A very good example is…
 Importantly,…
 The best example is…
Condition**
 To illustrate,…
 If…
 Unless…