Writing Task Two is the second and most important writing task in the Writing section of the IELTS exam.
Candidates must write an essay responding to a question, opinion, problem, or argument.
It appears in both:
- IELTS Academic
- IELTS General Training
Why It Matters
Writing Task Two usually carries more weight than Writing Task One when calculating the final Writing Band Score.
A strong Task Two performance can significantly improve your Writing result.
Time and Word Count
Recommended time:
- 40 minutes
Recommended minimum length:
- 250 words
It comes after Writing Task One.
What You Must Do
You need to:
- Understand the question clearly
- Present a clear position or response
- Develop ideas with explanations and examples
- Organize ideas logically
- Use accurate grammar and vocabulary
Common Essay Types
You may see prompts such as:
Opinion Essay
Do you agree or disagree?
Discussion Essay
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Problem-Solution Essay
What problems does this cause, and how can they be solved?
Advantages-Disadvantages Essay
Do advantages outweigh disadvantages?
Two-Part Question Essay
Answer two separate questions in one essay.
What Examiners Assess
Writing Task Two is marked using official criteria:
- Task Response
- Coherence and Cohesion
- Lexical Resource
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Ideal Essay Structure
A common strong structure:
Introduction
- Paraphrase topic
- Present thesis / main answer
Body Paragraph 1
- Main idea
- Explanation
- Example
Body Paragraph 2
- Second main idea
- Explanation
- Example
Conclusion
- Summarize position clearly
Example Prompt
Some people think university education should be free for everyone.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Common Problems Candidates Face
Misunderstanding the Question
Writing a different essay from what was asked.
Weak Idea Development
Giving opinions without explanation.
Poor Paragraphing
Ideas become difficult to follow.
Memorized Templates
These often sound unnatural or off-topic.
Grammar Errors
Frequent mistakes reduce score.
Under 250 Words
This can limit scoring potential.
High-Scoring Strategies
Analyze the Prompt First
Know exactly what essay type it is.
Plan for 5 Minutes
Create thesis and body ideas.
Stay Relevant
Every paragraph should answer the question.
Use Clear Examples
Specific examples improve development.
Leave Time to Check
Review grammar, spelling, and logic.
Time Management Plan
Suggested:
- Planning: 5 minutes
- Writing: 30 minutes
- Checking: 5 minutes
Academic vs General Training
Writing Task Two is similar in both modules, though prompts and tone may vary slightly.
The essay skills required are largely the same.
Quick Tips
- Clear ideas score better than complicated weak ideas.
- Use topic sentences.
- Support every claim.
- Keep your opinion consistent.
- Quality matters more than writing too much.
Why Strong Candidates Perform Well
Top scorers answer the exact question, organize ideas clearly, and use controlled grammar with relevant examples.
