IELTS Writing Task 2: Structure, Differences, and Sample Topics

May 30, 2024

Highlights:

IELTS writing task two questions pattern for academic and general training are the same, but the topics may vary.
IELTS writing score ranges on a scale of 0 to 9 bands. Achieving an IELTS writing score of 7 bands can strengthen your application process.
You need to answer all parts of the question, present a clear position, and structure your essay properly.
Using a wide range of vocabulary, and grammatical structure will improve IELTS writing task 2 score.

You are required to write an essay in response to a given topic on IELTS writing task 2. This section contains an average of 70% of your total writing score. You will be allocated 60 minutes to complete the writing task, and 40 minutes you need for IELTS writing task 2 topics. One thing you need to maintain is that you should write over 250 words and your answers will be marked based on the 4 main criteria. Task response, coherence and cohesion, vocabulary, and grammar are the main factors that evaluate IELTS writing task two scores.

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Table of Content

Academic Vs General
Structure
Evaluation Criteria
Band Descriptors
Topics With Answers
Question Types
FAQs

IELTS Writing Task 2 Academic Vs General

Your IELTS writing task two preparation will depend on your chosen test type. Some basic differences exist between IELTS writing task 2 topics of general and academic tests. The academic IELTS writing task 2 questions are mainly based on educational and informational topics. The general training questions contain everyday life situation-based topics.

Features	General Training	Academic
Writing Pattern	Semiformal	Formal
Topics	Daily-life situations, work, relationships	Education, Technology, Science
Language Used	High-level grammar and complex vocabulary	Intermediate-level grammar and vocabulary

IELTS Writing Task 2 Structure

You must follow a formal approach for presenting an argument in both general writing and academic exam patterns of IELTS writing task two. Several structural errors must be avoided while answering IELTS writing task 2 questions, including:

Avoiding the use of contractions such as don't, haven't, won't.
Refraining from using casual language or dialects in essay writing, such as "I wanna."
Avoiding the use of personal examples in IELTS writing Task 2 essays.
Avoiding the use of memorized essays.

Evaluation Criteria of IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS writing task two topics are designed to evaluate how well you describe all parts of the task and present a fully developed answer. Your scores of IELTS part 2 writing answers will be evaluated based on 4 basic criteria.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Band Descriptors

IELTS overall and sectional score ranges on a scale of 0 to 9 band. The total scores of the 4 sections will be calculated as your total score. Each IELTS band score for writing task 2 has a different proficiency level. Check the detailed band score evaluation of IELTS writing task two topics:

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics With Answers

IELTS writing task 2 topics are based on general topics, which you discuss daily in universities or workplaces. So, a minimal idea about the topic is mandatory to construct IELTS model answers writing task 2. Daily practice with IELTS writing sample papers will be very helpful for understanding the various topics. Some common and trending IELTS writing task 2 topics are as follows:

Animal	Time and Resources Are Spent On The Protection Of Wild Animals And Birds IELTS Writing Task 2
Energy	Fossil Fuels Are The Main Source Of Energy Around The World IELTS Writing Task 2
Independent and influential art	Art Is Considered An Important Part Of A Society IELTS Essay
Reading	Reading Stories from a Book is Better than watching TV IELTS Writing Task 2
Art	Art, Culture, and Technology IELTS Writing Task 2
Animal	Animal Rights Have Become a Topic of Discussion For Individuals and Government IELTS Writing Task 2
Environment	Protecting the Environment is the Responsibility of the Government IELTS Writing Task 2
Job	My Countries Teenagers are Encouraged to Do Part-Time Jobs IELTS Writing Task 2
Relationship	Establishing Good Relationships in The Workplace is Not Important IELTS Writing Task 2
Business	Business Culture IELTS Writing Task 2
Entertainment	Advantages of Robots Doing The Basic Serving Functions in the Entertainment, Leisure and Retail Sectors IELTS Writing Task 2
Language	Children To Begin Learning A Foreign Language At Primary School IELTS Writing Task 2
Science	Government Should Invest More Money in Science Education Rather than Other Subjects IELTS Writing Task 2
Communication	Modern communications mean that it’s no longer necessary to write letters IELTS Writing Task 2
Exercise and fitness	Many Working People Get Little or No Exercise either during the Working day IELTS Writing Task 2
Leadership	Some People are Born to be Leaders IELTS Writing Task 2
Society	Some People Consider Sport to be Their Career and Role in Society IELTS Writing Task 2
Crime & Punishment	Increase of Violence IELTS Writing Task 2
Family/Kids	People Nowadays Tend to Take Their Family to Another Country IELTS Writing Task 2
Leisure	Some People Believe That Children Leisure Activities Must Be Educational IELTS Writing Task 2
Space Exploration	Some People Think That Space Exploration is a Waste of Resource IELTS Writing Task 2
Corruption	Corruption Becomes a Common Disease Among Several Nations IELTS Writing Task 2
Farming	Farming is The Backbone of Every Country IELTS Writing Task 2
Libraries	Maintaining Public Libraries Is a Waste of Money IELTS writing Task 2
Sports	Some People Think That Sports Played In Teams are Better Than Individual Sports IELTS Writing Task 2
Food/Diet/Cuisine	Unhealthy Foods IELTS Writing Task 2
Management	People In Today’s World Are Still Suffering Poor Sanitation and Waste Management IELTS Writing Task 2
Travel	It is said that travel broadens the mind IELTS writing task 2
Culture	People Used to Wear Their Traditional Clothes Depending on Their Culture IELTS Writing Task 2
Global health	Global Warming is One of the Biggest Threats to Our Environment IELTS Writing Task 2
Media and Advertising	The News Media have Become Too Much Influence on People Lives Today IELTS Writing Task 2
Teaching and learning	Teachers Should Be Responsible For Teaching Students To Judge IELTS Writing Task 2
Demand and supply	The Increased World Demand For Oil and Gas Has Made it Necessary for Locating These Sources in Remote Areas IELTS Writing Task 2
Global poverty	Rich Nations Should Change Their Attitude Towards Poor Nations To Eradicate Poverty IELTS Writing Task 2
Money	Many people think it is important to spend a lot of money on a large wedding celebration IELTS Writing Task 2
Technology	Scientists and Technology Experts Seem to be More Valued IELTS Writing Task 2
Different perspectives	Children Are Facing More Pressures Nowadays from Academic, Social and Commercial Perspectives IELTS Writing Task 2
Global warming	Global Warming is One of the Biggest Threats to Our Environment IELTS Writing Task 2
Music	Modern Technology Has Made It Easier For Individuals To Download Copyrighted Music IELTS Writing Task 2
Tourism	Most Countries Believe That International Tourism Has Harmful Effects IELTS Writing Task 2
Economy	Education should be accessible to people of all economic backgrounds IELTS Writing Task 2
Government	Governments In Many Countries Have Recently Introduced Special Taxes On Sugary Foods And Beverages IELTS Writing Task 2
Personality	Research Indicates That the Characteristics We are Born With Have Much More Influence On Our Personality IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answers
Value	Humanitarian Subjects that People Study in Universities Have No Value for Their Future Career IELTS Writing Task 2
Education	Education in Developing & Rural Areas IELTS Writing Task 2
Health	Health IELTS Writing Task 2
Political deals and other happenings	Environmental Protection is The Responsibility of Politicians IELTS Writing Task 2
Wildlife and preservation	Is it The Right Time to Preserve Wildlife IELTS Writing Task 2
Employment	Rising University Fees and Scarce Employment Led People Say that Universities Should Not Teach Arts Subject IELTS Writing Task 2
Housing	Park Land Should be Used for Housing IELTS Writing Task 2
Population and Overpopulation	Population of Some Countries Includes Large Number of Young Adults IELTS Writing Task 2
Work-life balance	What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Working From Home IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types

Writing Task 2 questions are mostly similar for both IELTS academic and general training. There are five main types of IELTS writing task two questions:

Advantage/Disadvantage

Start with an engaging sentence or anecdote to grab the reader's attention. Summarize the advantages and disadvantages and the main points you've discussed in the body paragraphs.

Example: More and More Students are Choosing to Study at Colleges and Universities IELTS Writing Task 2

Opinions

Start with a hook and background. Briefly explain the topic. Then, state your opinion as the answer to the question. In the body, use reasons and examples to convince the reader why you're right. Wrap it up by summarizing your opinion and its strongest points.

Example: In the Future It Seems More Difficult to Live on Earth IELTS Writing Task 2

Discussion

Grab attention, introduce the topic, and briefly state the issue you'll explore. Discuss both pros & cons fairly, summarize key points, and offer your well-reasoned opinion.

Example: People think that Zoos are Cruel IELTS Writing Task 2

Direct Questions

Rephrase the question as your essay's focus. Answer the question head-on with reasons, details, and explanations.

Example: Today’s World Of Advanced Science And Technology, We Still Greatly Value Our Artists IELTS Writing Task 2

Solutions

Start with background and rephrase the question as a problem. Discuss solutions in separate paragraphs. Summarize key points and solutions in the conclusion.

Example: In the Developed World, Average Life Expectancy is Increasing IELTS Writing Task 2

Always pay close attention to subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, and proper punctuation while answering IELTS writing task 2 questions. You should aim to write at least 250 words, but there's no upper limit. Focus on writing quality answers within the timeframe. Regular practice with IELTS sample answers for writing task 2 helps you to improve your time management skills and your understanding of the various topics.

FAQs

Ques: What is IELTS Writing Task 2?

Ans: IELTS Writing Task 2 is the second part of the writing test, where you are required to write an essay in response to a prompt.

Ques: How long do I have for IELTS Writing Task 2?

Ans: You will be allocated 60 minutes to complete IELTS writing task, and 40 minutes you need for task 2 topics.

Ques: What is the word count requirement for IELTS writing task 2?

Ans: You should aim to write at least 250 words, but there's no upper limit. Focus on quality answers within the timeframe.

Ques: Is IELTS Writing Task 2 the same for Academic and General Training?

Ans: The format of Writing Task 2 is the same for both Academic and General Training modules. However, the topics might differ slightly.

Ques: How can I understand IELTS writing task 2 question correctly?

Ans: Read the given prompt carefully, underline keywords, and identify the task type for a better understanding of IELTS writing task 2 questions.

Ques: What are some common task types in IELTS Writing Task 2?

Ans: Discuss both sides of an argument, presenting a solution to a problem, describing the advantages and disadvantages of something, and expressing your opinion on a topic are some of the common task types in IELTS writing task 2.

Ques: Do I always need to give my opinion on IELTS writing task 2?

Ans: Only give your opinion if IELTS writing task 2 prompt specifically asks you to "agree or disagree" or use phrases like; in your opinion.

Ques: Should I spend time planning my IELTS writing task 2 essay?

Ans: Dedicate a few minutes to gather ideas, organize your thoughts, and create an outline before answering IELTS writing task 2 topic.

Ques: What should be included in my IELTS Writing Task 2 essay structure?

Ans: A well-structured IELTS writing task 2 essay should have an introduction, body paragraphs with clear arguments and supporting details, and a concluding paragraph summarizing your main points.

Ques: How many body paragraphs should I use in IELTS writing task 2?

Ans: Always try for 3-4 body paragraphs to develop your arguments effectively in IELTS writing task 2 answers.

Ques: Is it better to use complex vocabulary or clear language in IELTS writing task 2?

Ans: Using a wide range of vocabulary demonstrates your range, and prioritizes clarity. Ensure your grammar is accurate, even if you use simpler words.

Ques: How can I improve my vocabulary for IELTS writing task 2?

Ans: Read extensively on diverse topics, learn synonyms for commonly used words, and practice using them in writing exercises to improve your vocabulary for IELTS writing task 2.

Ques: Are there any grammar mistakes to avoid in IELTS writing task 2?

Ans: Always pay close attention to subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, and proper punctuation while answering IELTS writing task 2 questions.

Ques: What are the key aspects assessed in IELTS Writing Task 2?

Ans: Task response, coherence and cohesion, vocabulary, and grammar are the main factors that evaluate IELTS writing task 2 scores.

Ques: What are some good resources to learn about IELTS essay writing?

Ans: First look for official IELTS websites and online practice tests with sample essays. Preparation courses from reputable resources offer comprehensive learning materials and study guides.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.