The five question types
Almost every Task 2 prompt is one of these. Identifying the type first is what keeps your essay on-question — the single biggest factor in the Task Response criterion.
| Type | What it asks | What your thesis must do |
|---|---|---|
| Opinion (agree/disagree) | 'To what extent do you agree or disagree?' | State a clear position and hold it throughout. |
| Discussion | 'Discuss both views and give your own opinion.' | Cover both sides and state where you stand. |
| Advantages / disadvantages | 'Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?' | Weigh both, then give a verdict if asked. |
| Problem / solution (or cause / solution) | 'What problems does this cause and how can they be solved?' | Address each part — problems and solutions. |
| Two-part (direct) question | Two direct questions in the prompt. | Answer both questions explicitly. |
Answer the exact question
The most common band-limiter is a well-written essay that doesn't fully answer the prompt — for example writing a general 'advantages and disadvantages' essay when the question asked whether the advantages outweigh them. Read the prompt twice and make sure every part is addressed.
The four-paragraph structure
- 1Introduction — paraphrase the prompt in your own words, then state your thesis (your answer / outline). Two to three sentences.
- 2Body paragraph 1 — one main idea, a topic sentence, an explanation of why it's true, and a specific example.
- 3Body paragraph 2 — a second, different main idea developed the same way.
- 4Conclusion — restate your position and summarise your two main ideas. Add nothing new.
This structure works for every question type — you simply change what the thesis and body paragraphs contain. A discussion essay uses body 1 for one view and body 2 for the other; a problem/solution essay uses body 1 for the problem and body 2 for the solution.
Spend the first five minutes planning
Decide your position, your two main ideas, and an example for each before you write a word. Five minutes of planning prevents the mid-essay drift that wrecks Coherence and Task Response.
How examiners read it
Remember the four criteria (see the Writing marking guide): Task Response, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range & Accuracy. A strong structure directly serves the first two: clear paragraphing is Coherence, and answering every part is Task Response. Then vary your sentences and use precise vocabulary for the other two.
- Write at least 250 words — under-length essays are penalised.
- One clear idea per paragraph beats three half-developed ones.
- Use linking naturally (however, as a result, for instance) — don't stack connectors mechanically.
- Leave two minutes to check tenses, articles and punctuation; small accuracy gains lift the grammar band.
Idei principale
- Identify the question type first — it dictates your thesis.
- Use one reliable four-paragraph structure: intro, two developed bodies, conclusion.
- Answering every part of the prompt is the biggest single band-limiter.
- Plan for five minutes, write 250+ words, and leave time to check accuracy.
Draft an essay and get structured feedback
Practise IELTS WritingÎntrebări frecvente
How many paragraphs should an IELTS Task 2 essay have?
Four is the reliable standard: an introduction with your thesis, two body paragraphs each developing one main idea with an example, and a conclusion. This works for every question type — you change the content, not the structure.
How long should IELTS Writing Task 2 be?
At least 250 words, written in about 40 minutes. There is no upper limit, but a focused, well-organised 260–290 word essay usually scores better than a long, rambling one.
What is the most common reason essays lose marks?
Not fully answering the question. A grammatically strong essay that addresses only part of the prompt is capped by the Task Response criterion. Always identify the question type and make sure every part is covered.
Do I have to give my own opinion?
Only when the question asks for it — for example 'to what extent do you agree' or 'give your own opinion'. If the prompt doesn't ask for your view, don't force one in; answer exactly what is asked.