Writing Task 2

General overview
• You have times 40 minutes
• Write an essay of at least 250 words
• Writing for an educated non-specialist audience and not a university
lecturer
• In most cases, you are expected to give your opinion.
Let’s See the Bandscore
Points to apply in Task 2
• The topics of the question will be of general interest and no specialist
knowledge required
• You must write in complete sentence
• Do not copy whole sentences or long phrases from the question.
Important things to remember
• Read the questions and the instructions carefully
• Analyze the topic and the task
• Brainstorm ideas to be used in your writing
• Decide what you think about the topic and take sides if you are asked
to
• Fit your ideas into an essay plan divided into paragraphs
• Always have a plan before you start writing
Structure of an Essay

Introduction 1 paragraph in 2 or 3 sentences

2 or 3 paragraphs each in 5 or 6
Body Paragraph sentences

Conclusion 1 paragraph in 2 or 3 sentences

Suggested Timing
• First 10 minutes : planning your essay structure and brainstorming
ideas
• Next, 5 minutes : writing your introduction
• Next, 20 minutes : writing the main body.
• Last 5 minutes : writing for conclusion and checking
Paragraphing Style
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Different Kinds of Task 2 Essays & Question
Types
1. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people think that the only purpose of working hard is to earn
money.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
2. Discuss both views and give your opinion

Some believe that punishment is the only purpose of prisons, while others believe
that prisons exist for various reasons.

Discuss Both views and give your opinion.

3. What are the advantages and/ or disadvantages?

In some countries, governments are encouragingindustries and businesses to move

to regional areas outside the big cities.

Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?

4. What are the causes and give solutions

Despite improvements in vehicle technology, there are still large numbers of road accidents.

Explain some of the causes of these accidents, and suggest some measures that could be
taken to address the problem

5. Multiple/ two part question tasks

Many people around the world are choosing to move to live in cities.

What problems do people experience in big cities? Should governments encourage

people to move to smaller towns?
When to give your opinion?
1. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
3. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
4. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
5. Is this a positive or negative development?
6. What are the benefits and drawbacks?
When to give your opinion?
1. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (opinion)
2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages. (discussion)
3. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
(discussion+opinion)
4. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
(discussion+opinion)
5. Is this a positive or negative development? (opinion)
6. What are the benefits and drawbacks? (discussion)
 Brain Storming
Topic Sentencce (Body paragraph/ main idea/main reasons)
Supporting sentence 1 (explanation/ example)
Supporting sentence 2 (explanation/ example)
....
....
Topic Sentence

Supporting
Sentence
 Writing An Introduction
• A good IELTS writin introduction only needs 2 things:
1. A sentence that introduces the topic
2. A sentence that gives a short, general answer to the question.
Example
Body Paragraph
From Ideas to Paragraph
Question :
The main reason people go to work is to I agree that the majority of people work in order to
earn money. earn money. Before taking any other factors into
account, it is normal to first consider the salary that a
To what extent do you agree or disagree? particular post offers, and it is rare to hear of a person
who happily takes a cut in pay when beginning a new
Ideas : job. We all need money to pay for our basic
1. Agree that money is the main reason necessities, such as accommodation, bills and food.
people work Many adults also have families who depend on the
2. People look at salary first, they rarely take wages they earn, and at the same time they are
a salary cut conscious of the need to save for the future. If we no
3. Need to live, pay bills, food etc. longer needed money, I doubt most of us would
choose to continue in our jobs.
4. Look after our families, save for the future
5. Otherwise, most people would probably
choose not to work
Transition Words

Contrast:
Addition :
however, yet, in contrast,
moreover, furthermore, in
conversely, on the other hand,
addition, further, next, first,
on the contrary, otherwise,
second, etc., firstly, secondly,
nevertheless, notwithstanding,
etc., in the first place, in the
in spite of this, by contrast,
second place, etc.
whereas
Transition Words

Conclusion or Summary:

as a result, as has been noted,

as I have said, as mentioned Comparison
earlier, in conclusion, to
conclude, in brief, finally, in likewise, similarly, in the same
other words, in short, in a/one way, in like manner
word, on the whole, therefore,
in summary, to summarize, to
sum up, in a nutshell, all in all.
Transition Words

Example, restatement:
Cause, result, purpose:
for example, for instance, more
therefore, thus, hence,
specifically, in particular, indeed,
consequently, after all,
namely, specifically, to illustrate,
accordingly, knowing this, with
in other words, in fact, that is, in
this in mind
brief
 Writing a Conclusion
• Short and fast conclusion
• Paraphrase and summarize your ideas
• Don’t put a new ideas
Example to write a conclusion
1. ‘To what extent …’ Topics (Opinion)
For the reasons mentioned above, I believe that... (+ repeat your
opinion).

2. ‘Discuss both views and …’ Topics (Discussion + Opinion)

In conclusion, there are convincing arguments both for and against...
(paraphrased topic), but I believe that... (if the question asks for your
opinion).
Example to write a conclusion
3. ‘Advantages and Disadvantages’ Topics (Do the … outweigh the …?)
In conclusion, I would argue that the benefits of... (paraphrased
topic) outweigh the drawbacks.

4. ‘Cause/Effect and Solutions’ Topics (Problem and Solution)

In conclusion, it is clear that there are various reasons for...
(paraphrased topic), and steps need to be taken to tackle this
problem.
Let’s Practice
Let’s Practice
Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best
route to a successful career, while others believe that it is better to get
a job straight after school.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.