IELTS WRITING

TASK 2
English Proficiency Test

GROUP 11:Adib Arkan Hakim

:Hafidz Ramadhana A
: Husnul Amalia Soleha

In IELTS Writing Task 2, students are asked to write a formal essay of at least 250 words for
the given essay topics. IELTS Writing task 2 is the same for IELTS Academic and IELTS
general.“

In IELTS Writing Task 2, students are asked to write a formal essay of at least 250 words, in
4-5 paragraphs based on the given writing task 2 essay topics. Students should remember
that task 2 holds about 66% of the writing task scores, so it is important to prepare well for it.
The task is similar for both Academic and General Training with regards to the type of
questions and the scoring, but the topics given for General Training will be slightly easier than

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Academic. In this article, you will get to know about the methods of preparation for the IELTS
exam and the tips to follow in order to get a good score.

IELTS Writing Task 2 – Assessing elements

You are assessed based on the following four criteria:

 Task response

 Lexical resource

 Coherence and Cohesion

 Grammatical range and accuracy

Task Response
This criterion checks the relevance of your answer. For example, if the essay topic
is: Question:  Everyone should adopt a vegetarian diet because eating meat can cause
serious health problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree? If the answer is about
health problems caused because of leading a sedentary lifestyle, then task response goes for
a toss.For task response, your answer should revolve around the health problems caused
because of eating meat ( if you are agreeing) .

Lexical Resource
This criterion checks your vocabulary For example, if the essay topic
is: Question:  Everyone should adopt a vegetarian diet because eating meat can cause
serious health problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree? For example, Your
answer should use complex words in the right context.

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Coherence and Cohesion
This criterion checks how well the essay is organised using a range of linking words. For
example, Question: In some countries young people are encouraged to work or travel for a
year between finishing high school and starting university studies. Discuss the advantages
and disadvantages for young people who decided to do this. The advantages must be
explained in one paragraph and the disadvantages in the other. If mixed up, there is no
coherence.For Coherence,

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Grammatical range and accuracy
This criterion checks your grammar

For example, simple subject verb

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 agreement  Education is good
- Correct Education are good - Incorrect

Simple prepositions In 10:AM - Incorrect At

10:00 AM - Correct

Simple tenses: If the government had resolved

this problem, we are not in trouble now
- Incorrect If the government had resolved this
problem, we would not have been in trouble now
- Correct

Difference between IELTS General Writing Task 2 and Academic

Writing Task 2
 Essays in IELTS Academic will be slightly tougher than in IELTS General.

 The choice of topics will vary between the two. IELTS Academic will have complex
topics whereas IELTS General will have comparatively simpler ones.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Tips (or) IELTS Essay Writing Tips

IELTS writing task 2 is the second part of the two writing tasks and is one of the most
challenging parts of the IELTS test. Most students also find it to be more difficult compared to
Writing task 1.
What should you know about Writing Task 2?
 You will be allotted 40 minutes to complete this task.

 The essay should comprise of 4-5 paragraphs including the introduction and
conclusion.

 DO NOT compose too many body paragraphs. Around 2-3 body paragraphs would be
sufficient.

 Use proper grammar/vocab to convey your ideas or points. (e.g.) Words used to give
reasons – because, due to. (or) words used to contradict points – however, but,
although.

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Plan your essay
1. Identify what is asked in the question.

 Do you have to write for both sides or do you have to choose a side?

 Do you have to provide answers to all the questions?

 Do you have to convey only the advantages and disadvantages or do you have to
give an opinion?

2. Brainstorm the main points. 3. Construct your paragraphs.

 Gather your supporting points for your central idea of each paragraph with examples.

4. Check your Task Response

 Check on the number of questions asked. Did you answer it all?

 Were you told to choose a side? Did you choose a side?

 Do all your paragraphs focus on one central topic/idea?

 Do these ideas have supporting points and answers?

 Remember that you aren’t being assessed for your knowledge but your ability to put
your thoughts through in an essay using the English Language. Although relevancy is
one of the factors you’re assessed upon, it isn’t the only factor. Do not spend too
much time on making the content perfect!

IELTS Essay Types

The common types of essays may be based on direct questions, discussions, advantages or
disadvantages, solutions, opinions and so on. It may vary from one teacher to another based
on how comfortable they are in transferring the knowledge that they have. Each essay type in
IELTS Writing task 2 has a dedicated structure.

Opinion Essay
An opinion essay is an essay in which you have to explain the given topic based on the
opinion that you have regarding that topic. How to plan your opinion essay:

 Read the question properly and pick a side/opinion.

 Figure out why you have that opinion.

 Know the reasons behind your opinion and use them as main points.

 List out your supporting reasons + examples.

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Example question for an opinion essay: Many people say that the only way to guarantee a
good job is to complete a course in university education. Others claim that it is better
to start work after school and gain experience in the world of work. How far do you
agree or disagree with the above views? Give a reason for your answer and include any
relevant examples from your knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

Discussion Essay
In the discussion essay, the topic along with two opposing statements are given. You are
asked to discuss both the opposing statements and give supporting points for both the
statements. Do not give your opinion unless it's been asked. How to plan your discussion
essay:

 Read the question properly and understand if you've got to give an opinion.

o If you don't, think about the main ideas revolving around both the statements.

o If you do, think about the opinion and the main ideas linking to that opinion.

 Ponder on the supporting points and examples related to the main idea.

Example question for a discussion essay: Some people prefer to directly help or support
people who need it in the local community, however, others prefer to give money to
national or international charities. Discuss both views and give your own
opinion. Write at least 250 words.

Advantage or Disadvantage Essays

In this type of essay, a topic is given and you'll be asked to write for and against that
particular topic. Discuss the positive and negative points of the essay topic. However,
sometimes you may be asked to state your opinion too. In such cases, you should use
another body paragraph to explain your opinion. How to plan your advantages/disadvantages
essay:

 Read the question properly and understand if you've got to give an opinion.

 Make a list of the advantages and disadvantages that you want to write about in your
essay.

 Make a list of points supporting each advantage or disadvantage.

 If you're supposed to give an opinion, make sure you have reasons to support your
opinions.

Example of an advantages/disadvantages question: Some people think that youngsters

should be required to do unpaid work helping people in the community. Are

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disadvantages of this requirement greater than the benefits for the community and
individuals? Write at least 250 words.

Solution Essays
In solution essays, the topic will be given regarding normal problems or issues people face
and you'll be asked to give the solution. Sometimes the question may also be why this
particular issue happened and you may be asked to give your opinions based on the issues.
How to plan a problem solution essay:

 Make a list of the problems related to the topic given. 2-3 problems can be taken up.

 The solutions to these problems should be addressed.

 Construct your paragraphs in such a way that the problems are in one paragraph and
solutions in the other (or) paragraphs consisting of a problem and solution.

Example of a cause-solution essay: People today do not feel safe either at home or when
they are out. What are the causes? What are the solutions? Write at least 250 words.

Direct Question Essays

These essays are slightly difficult when compared to other type of essays, as you won't be
given a direct task but some general questions and based on these questions you'll have to
answer the essay. You can give different paragraphs for all the general questions. How to
plan a direct question essay:

 Read the questions given.

 Focus on each question separately.

 Figure out an answer for each question separately.

 These answers should have a main point, supporting points to your main point and
examples.

 Recheck if all the questions are answered before you begin writing the answer.

Example of a direct question essay: The world natural resources are consumed at an

ever-increased rate. What are the dangers of this situation? What should we do? Write
at least 250 words. Now that you have got an idea of how to score well in IELTS Task 2, go
ahead and practice the following elements which help you to score the high band in the test.