IELTS Writing Task 2: Essay Types, Structure and Model Answer

IELTS Writing Task 2 asks every candidate, on both the Academic and General Training versions of the test, to write an essay of at least 250 words in about 40 minutes, responding to a point of view, argument or problem set out in the task. The same task type applies whichever version a candidate sits, though Academic prompts lean toward issues connected with study and General Training prompts toward everyday and work-related topics. Task 2 counts for twice the marks of Task 1 within the Writing score, making it the larger single factor in the overall Writing band.

Examiners mark the essay against four criteria weighted equally: Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Recognising which question type a prompt uses, whether it asks for an opinion, a discussion of two views, advantages and disadvantages, causes and solutions, or answers to two direct questions, shapes how the essay should be planned and structured before writing begins.

What Does IELTS Writing Task 2 Involve?

IELTS Writing Task 2 requires an essay of at least 250 words, written in no more than 40 minutes, in response to a point of view, argument or problem that the task sets out. Both the Academic and General Training versions use the same task type and the same timing, so a candidate preparing for either version practises the same essay skills; the difference lies in topic, since Academic prompts tend toward issues relevant to study and research while General Training prompts favour everyday, work and community subjects. The response must be written in connected paragraphs, in a style suited to a formal or semi-formal piece of writing.

Why Does Task 2 Carry More Weight Than Task 1?

Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the overall Writing band, so it is the single largest factor within that score. Spending close to 40 of the 60 minutes available for the Writing test on Task 2 reflects that weighting, leaving the remaining time for Task 1, which asks for a shorter, more descriptive response. Each task is marked against its own criteria and the two results are then combined, with Task 2 counting double, so a short or underdeveloped Task 1 still pulls the Writing band down; given the weighting, most practice time goes on developing Task 2 fully.

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What Are the Four Marking Criteria for Task 2?

Task 2 is marked against four criteria, each contributing equally to the Task 2 score: Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Task Response measures how fully and relevantly the essay addresses every part of the question, including whether a clear position is stated and developed with ideas, evidence and examples. Coherence and Cohesion looks at how logically the essay is organised into paragraphs and how clearly ideas are linked within and between them.

Lexical Resource assesses the range and precision of vocabulary used, including whether word choice is natural, avoiding memorised or repeated phrasing. Grammatical Range and Accuracy looks at the variety of sentence structures attempted and how accurately they are used; a candidate who writes only short, simple sentences correctly scores lower here than one who attempts more complex structures with occasional error.

What Question Types Come Up in Task 2?

Task 2 questions fall into a small number of recurring types, each identifiable from specific wording in the prompt. Reading the verbs and connectors in the question, such as to what extent, discuss, advantages and disadvantages, causes, solutions, or two separate question marks, shows which type is being asked and therefore what the answer must do.

• Opinion or agree/disagree: wording such as 'to what extent do you agree or disagree' calls for one position stated and maintained throughout.
• Discuss both views: wording such as 'discuss both these views and give your own opinion' calls for both sides examined before a personal view is added.
• Advantages and disadvantages: wording such as 'what are the advantages and disadvantages of' calls for both sides weighed, with or without a stated opinion.
• Problem and solution or causes and solutions: wording such as 'what problems does this cause and what solutions can be suggested' calls for causes or problems identified and remedies proposed.
• Two-part or direct questions: two separate question marks, such as 'why is this happening? is it a positive or negative development?', call for both parts answered in full.

How Should a Task 2 Essay Be Planned?

A Task 2 essay is best planned before any writing begins. Planning starts with identifying the question type from its wording, since that determines the structure and the position the essay needs to take. The next step is deciding a position, where the question calls for one, and generating no more than three or four supporting ideas; a short essay rewards developing a small number of ideas fully, with explanation and example, better than it rewards a longer list of undeveloped ideas. Planning before writing leaves time to write the essay and check the draft at the end.

What Structure Works for a Task 2 Essay?

A four-paragraph structure, an introduction, two main body paragraphs and a conclusion, covers most Task 2 question types reliably. The introduction paraphrases the question in different words and states the position or previews the points the essay will make, in two to three sentences. Each body paragraph develops one main idea fully, stated, explained and illustrated with an example, instead of listing several ideas briefly.

A five-paragraph version, with three body paragraphs instead of two, suits questions with three distinct parts to answer, such as some problem and solution or two-part direct-question tasks, so that each part gets its own paragraph. The conclusion, in one or two sentences, restates the overall position without introducing a new idea or example at that late stage.

Model answer: Direct-question essay on moving to cities

Task: Many people are moving away from rural areas to live in cities. Why is this happening? Is this a positive or negative development? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

"

Rural populations in many countries continue to shift towards large cities, and this essay will consider the reasons behind that movement before assessing whether it brings more benefit than harm. In my view, the trend is driven chiefly by economic opportunity, and its overall effect on both individuals and society is largely positive, provided that city infrastructure keeps pace with growth.

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The main reason for this movement is economic. Cities concentrate employers across manufacturing, services and technology, so a young person from a farming village is far more likely to find paid work, higher wages and a career path in an urban centre than at home. Education reinforces the pull: universities and specialist colleges cluster in cities, and graduates then stay close to the jobs those qualifications lead to. A secondary factor is access to healthcare and other services, which tend to be more developed and more easily reached in urban areas, particularly for families with children or older relatives.

"

On balance, the development benefits more people than it harms. Migrants gain income that often supports relatives who remain in rural areas, and the skills and savings some eventually bring back can improve farming communities instead of draining them permanently. Cities also benefit from a larger, more varied workforce that supports services and industries everyone relies on. The drawbacks, rising rents, strained transport and pressure on housing, are real; they stem mainly from planning that has not kept pace with new arrivals, and better urban planning can close that gap without reversing the underlying trend.

"

People leave rural areas mainly in search of work, study and services that cities provide in greater supply, and this shift is, overall, a positive development, so long as housing and infrastructure expand alongside the population they now support.

What this model answer does:

• Task Response: the introduction answers both parts of the question, why people move and whether this is positive, and that position is kept consistent through to the conclusion.
• Coherence and Cohesion assesses whether each paragraph develops a single main idea, with sequencing words such as "on balance", "cities also" and "overall" signalling the line of argument without overusing linking devices.
• Lexical Resource: topic-specific vocabulary (concentrate employers, farming communities, city infrastructure) is varied without repetition or reliance on memorised phrases.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: complex sentences using subordination (provided that city infrastructure keeps pace with growth; that has not kept pace with new arrivals) are used accurately alongside simpler statements.

How Should a Draft Be Checked Against the Criteria?

A draft is checked most effectively by reading it once against each of the four marking criteria in turn, instead of reading for a general impression. For Task Response, check that every part of the question has been answered and that the position is clear and consistent from introduction to conclusion. For Coherence and Cohesion, check that each paragraph covers one main idea and that linking words connect ideas without being overused or repeated mechanically. Lexical Resource checks for repeated words that could be replaced with a synonym or a more precise term. Grammatical Range and Accuracy checks require reviewing subject-verb agreement, tense consistency and punctuation, and counting the words to confirm the 250-word minimum has been met.

Related guides

• What is IELTS? Format, versions and scoring
• IELTS band scores explained
• IELTS Listening and Reading raw scores to bands
• IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic)
• IELTS Speaking test format
• IELTS Academic or General Training?

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