Writing Task 2

Time Allowed: 40 minutes

Word Limit: 250 – 300 words
No. of Paragraphs: 4-5
Useful Website: www.english-exam.org
Essay Types
 Argumentative
 Direct Questions
SAMPLE 1
Main Argument: What influences people’s
lives: Media or politicians?
SAMPLE 2
Writing Thesis Statement (last sentence of the
introduction)
SAMPLE

 Single-sided thesis statement

In my opinion, possessing wealth plays a vital
role in determining how successful a person is.

 Double-sided thesis statement

Although luck plays crucial role in the success of
an individual, in my opinion, if people retain
more wealth, they are considered prosperous.

Introduction SAMPLE
Government should spend a huge amount of money on
purchasing technology. However, some believe the
investments should be made on fulfilling the basic
necessities of citizens. Discuss both and give your
opinion.
Sample Answers:
The modern world is competing in the field of technology
these days. Many nations are focusing on investing their
large amount of budgets in purchasing technology.
Although a huge quantity of the country's capital is
invested in technology, in my opinion, there is an equal
necessity for government expenditure on fulfilling the
fundamental necessities of its residents as well.

Technology is developing at a startling pace. Therefore,

the government must invest a considerable sum to buy
it. Although there are other needs of the country’s
people to be fulfilled such as food and shelter, in my
view, the greatest factor for a country to develop is the
advancement of technology.
 Listing
 First(ly),
 Second(ly),
 Third(ly),
 Last(ly)/Finally,
 Highlighting and Stressing
 Particularly/in particular,
  Specifically,
 Especially,
 Obviously,
 Of course!
 Clearly,
 Reasons and Causes
 because
 due to
 since
 as
Giving your Opinion
 In my opinion,
 I think,
 I believe,
 I admit,
 In my view,
 I (strongly/somewhat) agree
 I (strongly/somewhat) disagree
 Essay Format

 Introduction
o Background Information
o Restate the Question [Paraphrase]
o Thesis Statement
 First Body Paragraph [For the Topic]
o Sequential Word + Reason 1 (Topic Sentence)
 Details for Reason 1
o Connective Word + Reason 2
 Details for Reason 2
o Conclusion – First Body Paragraph
 Second Body Paragraph [Against the Topic]
o Contrast Word + Reason 1
 Details for Reason 1
o Connective Word + Reason 2
 Details for Reason 2
o Conclusion – Second Body Paragraph
 Essay Conclusion
 o Summarise both Points [For + Against]
o Restate the Thesis [Pick a Side]

SAMPLE
People are benefitted from mobile phones these days.
Do you think the advantages of mobile phones
outweigh the disadvantages?

+ -
Convenient Cognitive disabilities
Entertainment Distraction
Productive Waste of time

EXAMPLE
Introduction
Smartphones have developed in the last three decades, making
communication faster and easier than before. Despite the adverse
effects of smartphones on people’s lives, I think, they have
positively impacted different aspects of human society across the
globe.
First Body Paragraph [For the topic]
 Sequential Word + R1
To begin with, smartphone owners have positive attitudes towards
their phones’ time-saving capabilities because they can access the
information they need at all times.

 Details for R1
To clarify, with the help of mobile applications, people are now
using smartphones conveniently for their financial transactions,
navigating, communicating, and scheduling their routines.

 Connective Word + R2
Additionally, smartphones have become entertainment devices
among people.

 Details for R2
Nowadays, people use wireless technology, especially cellphones,
to watch movies, TV shows, and listen to music.

 Conclusion – First Body Paragraph

Thus, phones provide convenience and recreation in the life of an
individual.

Second Body Paragraph [Against the Topic]

 Contrast Word + R1
From a different perspective, excessive mobile phone use may
cause addiction among individuals, which might negatively
impact human well-being.

 Details for R1
Smartphone addiction, to exemplify, can lead to depression,
stress, anxiety, and a lack of social interaction among different
people.

 Connective Word + R2
Similarly, continuous use of mobile phones will cause a
distraction for children in classrooms and drivers on the road.

 Details for R2
For example, juveniles cannot concentrate in class because these
devices have shortened people’s attention spans. Furthermore,
many people use their mobile phones while driving and do not
pay attention to the road inviting fatal injuries.

 Conclusion – Second Body Paragraph

In this way, excessive use of cell phones will affect people’s lives,
making them distracted and ill.

Essay Conclusion
 Summarize both Points [For + Against]
In summation, smartphones have become beneficial to
communities and have created a more comfortable life for people
worldwide. Although extreme smartphone use can harm human
psychological health and negatively affect the concentration level
amongst individuals, life can be more difficult and slower without
that technology.

Therefore, I believe that, if used cautiously, the advantages of

mobile phones will outweigh their disadvantages.
TOTAL WORD COUNT: ~296

PROBLEM-SOLUTION/CAUSE-EFFECT ESSAYS FORMAT

 Introduction
o Background Information
o Restate the Question [Paraphrase]
o Thesis Statement
 First Body Paragraph
o Problem 1/Cause 1
 Details (Impact of problem 1/ Cause 1)
o Solution 1
 Details (How does it reduce the problem?)
o Conclusion – First Body Paragraph
 Second Body Paragraph
o Problem 2/Cause 2
 Details (Impact of problem 2/Cause 2)
o Solution 2
 Details (How does it reduce the problem?)
o Conclusion – Second Body Paragraph
 Essay Conclusion
o Summarise All Points [P1+S1+P2+S2]
o Restate the Thesis
Writing Task 2 Notes:
 Read the question – answer the question.
 Think and plan before writing.
 Write enough words but do not write too many words.
 Do not copy whole sections of the question –
PARAPHRASE!
 Examples are easier than explanations.
 Use a wide range of vocabulary.
 Use paragraphs well.
 Focus on the essay structure.
 Do not just practice whole essays.
 Check your writing.
 Illegible handwriting will reduce your final score.
 Avoid repetition of words and ideas.
 Grading Criteria (Task 2)
o Task Response (TR)
o Coherence and Cohesion (CC)
o Lexical Resources (LR)
o Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA)
 Try writing in a thoughtful and neutral tone.
NOT ACADEMIC: I hate this idea! (Too excited/angry)
ACADEMIC: This idea has some problems to consider.
NOT ACADEMIC: Everyone is distracted by cell
phones these days. (Too broad)
ACADEMIC: Many people are distracted by cell
phones these days.
NOT ACADEMIC: I have the best solution to the
problem. (Too certain)
ACADEMIC: I would suggest ABC as a solution to the
problem.