IELTS Writing Task 2 is an essay, and it counts for more of your Writing score than Task 1. Many candidates lose marks not because their English is weak but because they do not answer the question fully or manage their time well. This guide explains how Task 2 is marked and gives you a structure, a time plan and the most common mistakes to avoid.
Task 2 at a Glance
- The whole Writing test lasts 60 minutes.
- Task 2 requires at least 250 words.
- Task 2 carries more weight than Task 1, so plan roughly 40 minutes for it.
- Your answer is a formal essay responding to a point of view, argument or problem.
The Four Marking Criteria
Examiners score your essay on four equally weighted areas:
- Task Response: Did you answer every part of the question and develop clear ideas?
- Coherence and Cohesion: Is your essay logically organised, with clear paragraphs and linking?
- Lexical Resource: Do you use a range of accurate vocabulary?
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Do you use a mix of sentence structures with few errors?
Know the Common Essay Types
- Opinion (agree/disagree): state and defend your view.
- Discussion: discuss both views, then give your opinion if asked.
- Advantages and disadvantages: weigh both sides.
- Problem and solution: explain causes and suggest solutions.
- Two-part question: answer both questions directly.
Underline the key instruction in the question first. Answering only half of a two-part question is one of the easiest ways to lose marks.
A Simple Four-Paragraph Structure
Introduction (2 to 3 sentences)
Paraphrase the question, then state your position or outline your answer. This is essentially your thesis. For a simple formula, see how to write a thesis statement.
Body paragraph 1
Start with a clear topic sentence, explain your point and support it with a specific example.
Body paragraph 2
Do the same with a second point, or the opposing view if the question asks for both sides.
Conclusion (1 to 2 sentences)
Summarise your answer without adding new ideas. See how to write a conclusion for an essay for examples.
A 40-Minute Time Plan
- 5 minutes: analyse the question and plan your main points
- 30 minutes: write the essay
- 5 minutes: check spelling, grammar and word count
A few minutes of planning usually saves time overall, because you will not stop to search for ideas mid-essay. Practise outlining quickly with our guide on how to write an essay outline.
Boost Your Coherence and Cohesion
Use linking words naturally, but do not overuse them. Good examples include “however,” “for instance,” “as a result,” “in contrast” and “furthermore.” Mixing them with varied sentence openings makes your writing smoother. Our list of sentence starters for essays gives you many options to practise.
Improve Your Vocabulary the Right Way
- Learn words in phrases, not on their own.
- Use topic vocabulary for common themes such as education, technology, environment and health.
- Avoid memorised “impressive” words if you are not sure how to use them. Accurate, natural language scores better than forced complexity.
Common Mistakes That Cost Marks
- Writing fewer than 250 words
- Not answering every part of the question
- Giving general statements without examples
- Using memorised templates that do not match the question
- Repeating the same words and sentence patterns
- Skipping the final check for errors
How to Practise
- Write one timed essay several times a week.
- Review each essay against the four criteria.
- Read short, well-written articles to see how ideas are developed.
- Use a checklist to proofread. Our 10-step proofreading checklist works well for exam practice too.
Need Feedback on Your Practice Essays?
If you would like an experienced writer to review your essay structure or show you a model answer, contact our team with your question and deadline.
