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IELTS Task 2 Essays Understand the 5 Different Types

There are 5 main types of IELTS Task 2 essays:

1) Opinion Essays

2) Discussion Essays

3) Problem Solution Essays

4) Advantages & Disadvantages Essays

5) Double Question Essays

Most questions fit one of these categories. However, questions can be written in many different ways, which can make it difficult to determine which type they are.

On this page, I want to give you an overview of all 5 IELTS Task 2 essay types, with samples questions to help you recognise some of the different wording often used. I’ve also included a basic structure for each that you can use to as a guide for essay planning, a vital step in the writing process.

I go into each type of question in more detail on its own page. Click the links above or at the bottom of this page to see these.

First, here’s the basic 4 part structure I recommend that you use for Task 2 essays:

1) Introduction

2) Main Body Paragraph 1

3) Main Body Paragraph 2

4) Conclusion

Want to watch and listen to this lesson?

Click on this video.

The sort of information you include in each of the 4 sections will vary depending on the question type and that’s what I’m now going to outline for you.

These easy to learn structures will enable you to quickly plan and write any IELTS Task 2 essay.

The structures below are not the only ones you could use but they are the ones I recommend because they’re simple and give proven results.

1) Opinion Essays

These are sometimes called ‘agree or disagree’ or ‘argumentative’ essays and are one of the most common types of IELTS Task 2 question.

The first part of the question will be a statement. You will then be asked to give your own opinion about the statement. Here is some typical wording that might be used:

What is your opinion?
Do you agree or disagree?
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Here is an example of each:

Choose one side of the argument.
State your opinion clearly in the introduction.
Keep the same opinion throughout the essay.
Give reasons why you hold this view.

It doesn’t matter which side of the argument you take or even that you agree with it. Choose the one you can develop the best argument for.

Don’t change your opinion part way through the essay and don’t give reasons for the opposing idea.

Essay Structure

1) Introduction

Paraphrase the question
Give your opinion
State two supporting reasons

2) Main body paragraph 1

Topic sentence – outline 1st reason for supporting this view
Explanation – explain this idea
Example – give an example

3) Main body paragraph 2

Topic sentence – outline 2nd reason for supporting this view
Summarise opinion and key reasons

2) Discussion Essays

In discussion essays, you have to discuss both sides of an argument. Usually, you will be asked for your own opinion as well.

The easiest way to approach this type of IELTS Task 2 question is to choose one point of view to agree with and one side to disagree with.

Here are 3 examples of discussion essay questions:

Develop both sides of the argument.
Talk about the view you don’t agree with first.

A big mistake many students make is to fully develop only one point of view. This leads to an unbalanced essay and a low score for task achievement.

It is easier to begin by discussing the opinion you don’t agree with and then present the reasons for your opposing view.

2) Main body paragraph 1 – Negative Viewpoint

Topic sentence – outline the view you don’t agree with
Explanation – explain why this view is held by some people

3) Main body paragraph 2 – Positive Viewpoint

Topic sentence – outline the view you do agree with
Summarise the key points and state your opinion

3) Problem Essays

These are sometimes called ‘causes and solutions’ or ‘problems and solutions’ essays. This type of IELTS Task 2 question starts with a statement, then asks you to discuss the problems or causes and the solutions.

Don’t list lots of causes and solutions.
Choose just one or two and develop them fully.
Be sure to link each problem/cause and its solution.

A common mistake is for candidates to list all the problems/causes and solutions they can think of, not necessarily linking them together. They also fail to explain any of them in detail and don’t include any examples.

The wording of this type of essay question can vary considerably. Here are 3 examples of problem essay questions:

State 1 key problem/cause and related solution

2) Main body paragraph 1 – Problem or Cause

Topic sentence – state the problem or cause
Explanation – give detail explaining the problem or cause

3) Main body paragraph 2 – Solution

Topic sentence – state the solution
Explanation – give detail explaining the solution

4) Advantages & Disadvantages Essays

The first part of the question will be a statement. You will be asked to write about both the advantages and disadvantages of the idea stated.

Here is some typical wording that might be used:

What are the advantages and disadvantages of….?
Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your opinion.

Here are 3 examples of advantages and disadvantages essay questions:

Each of these different types of questions fits into one of two slightly different essay structures. We’ll look at these in detail on the main IELTS Task 2 Advantages & Disadvantages Essays page. For now, I’ll give you the basic structure.

Outline the view or views stated the statement

2) Main body paragraph 1 – Advantage

Topic sentence – state 1 advantage
Explanation – give detail explaining the advantage
Result – state the result

3) Main body paragraph 2 – Disadvantage

Topic sentence – state 1 disadvantage
Explanation – give detail explaining the disadvantage
Summarise the key points
State your opinion if required

5) Double Question Essays

This type of IELTS Task 2 question is sometimes called a ‘direct question’ or ‘two questions’ essay. It has one statement with two different questions after it. The questions may or may not be linked.

You must answer both questions fully.
Don’t confuse it with an opinion or a discussion essay.
Be careful that you don’t end up with too many ideas to write about.

Here are 3 examples of double question essay questions:

Outline sentence – state your answer to both questions

2) Main body paragraph 1 – Answer question 1

Topic sentence – state your answer
Explanation – explain why you think this

3) Main body paragraph 2 – Answer question 2

Summarise both questions and answers

I hope you’ve found this information useful. You can learn lots more about writing the 5 different types of IELTS Task 2 essay and see sample answers on these pages:

The 5 Task 2 Essay Types:

Step-by-step instructions on how to plan & write high-level essays. Model answers & common mistakes to avoid.

Opinion Essays

Discussion Essays

Problem Solution Essays

Advantages & Disadvantages Essays

Double Question Essays

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More help with ielts task 2.

IELTS Writing Task 2 – T he format, the 5 question types, the 5 step essay writing strategy & sample questions. All the key information you need to know.

Understanding Task 2 Questions – How to quickly and easily analyse and understand IELTS Writing Task 2 questions.

How To Plan a Task 2 Essay – Discover why essay planning is essential & learn a simple 4 step strategy, the 4 part essay structure & 4 methods of generating ideas.

How To Write a Task 2 Introduction – Find out why a good introduction is essential. Learn how to write one using a simple 3 part strategy & discover 4 common mistakes to avoid.

How To Write Task 2 Main Body Paragraphs – Learn the simple 3 part structure for writing great main body paragraphs and also, 3 common mistakes to avoid.

How To Write Task 2 Conclusions – Learn the easy way to write the perfect conclusion for a Task 2 essay. Also discover 4 common mistakes to avoid.

Task 2 Marking Criteria – Find out how to meet the marking criteria for IELTS Task 2. See examples of good and poor answers & learn some common mistakes to avoid.

Other related pages:

IELTS Writing Test – Understand the format & marking criteria, know what skills are assessed & learn the difference between the Academic & General writing tests.

IELTS Writing
Task 2 Essay Types
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5 Types of IELTS Essays with Questions and Samples

In IELTS Writing Task 2 (both General and Academic), there are 5 different types of essays:

Discussion essay (Discuss both views essay)
Agree/disagree essay (Opinion essay)
Advantage/disadvantage essay
Problem/solution essay
Two-part question essay (Direct question essay)

Note that no matter what type of IELTS essay you have to write, you need to make sure that you always follow the instructions and write at least 250 words.

IELTS Discussion Essay Questions

IELTS discussion essay asks you to "Discuss both views/sides and give your opinion".

For example:

Some people think that wild animals should not be kept in zoos. Others believe that there are good reasons for having zoos.

Discuss both these views and give your opinion.

IELTS Agree/Disagree Essay Questions

IELTS agree/disagree essay, also known as an opinion essay, asks you "Do what extent do you agree?", "Do you agree or disagree?", "What is your opinion?".

Medical procedures for cosmetic purposes should not be allowed.

Do you agree or disagree?

IELTS Advantage/Disadvantage Essay Questions

IELTS advantage/disadvantage essay asks you "What are the advantages of this?", "Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?".

Today more and more tourists are visiting places where conditions are difficult, such as the Sahara desert or the Antarctic.

What are the benefits and disadvantages for tourists who visit such places?

See also: Advantage/Disadvantage Essay Sample

IELTS Problem/Solution Essay Questions

IELTS problem/solution essay asks you "What can be done about this problem?", "How could this situation be improved?".

Even though doctors all over the world agree that fast food is bad for people's health, more and more people are eating it.

Why are more people eating fast food?

What can be done about this problem?

IELTS Two-part Question Essay Questions

IELTS two-part question essay, also known as direct question essay, asks you to write in response to two or more direct questions.

Millions of people every year move to English speaking countries such as Australia, Britain or America, in order to study at school, college or university.

Why do so many people want to study English?

Why is English such an important international language?

See also: Two-part Question Essay Sample

See more useful IELTS essay resources:

How to write an IELTS essay?
How to Improve IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay?
Essay vocabulary
Linking & cohesive words

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Types of essays to expect in your IELTS Writing Task 2

Preparing for IELTS Writing? Read this article on the different types of essays you are likely to encounter in the test.

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In Task 2 of the IELTS Writing test, you are asked to write an essay of at least 250 words in both the Academic and General training modules. However, should you use the same approach to all essay questions? The answer to this question is ‘no’ as there is more than one question type to consider when writing your answer. It is important to understand what the task requires from you because you may lose marks unnecessarily, even if you have good grammar and vocabulary. Let’s have a look in more detail.

Opinion Essay

Here is a sample opinion essay question:

With traffic jams and pollution increasing every year in big cities, some people say that public transport should be free in big cities to help reduce these problems which are caused by cars. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In the introduction to the essay, you can provide some background information, but importantly, make sure you paraphrase the input language (the words from the question) and indicate your position on the matter. For example:

With the growth of middle classes around the world, ownership of motor cars has become much more common, particularly for those who reside in large urban areas. It has been argued that free public transport should be provided in these metropolises as a method to curb the amount of polluted air and traffic congestion. This essay will explain why this approach should not be undertaken for cost and mobility reasons.

When it comes to your body paragraphs, it is important to have one core idea that you extend and develop. You can do this by mentioning further explanation about a particular point, an example, a consequence or possibly a concession. Let’s compare the two paragraphs below:

Paragraph A

The reasons for not providing free public transport for urban residents are diverse. Firstly, there would be a significant cost for the government to pay for this, meaning they would have no option but to raise taxes for individuals rather than for industry which produces more pollution. Secondly, this would be unfair for those who need to use vehicles for more door-to-door travel, such as people who live far from train and bus stations or those who need to carry many things with them. Furthermore, if public transport is free, there would be overcrowding on trains and buses, meaning that people simply replace one type of inconvenience for another.

Paragraph B

Looking at the argument from a cost perspective, even though there is an initial financial advantage for commuters with savings made on fuel, at some point down the track this would be lost, as municipal governments would have no choice but to raise taxes to pay for the construction, management and maintenance of public transport facilities. If the funds allocated to this were invested in how to make vehicles greener instead, such as with electric cars, the issue of air pollution would be addressed in a more cost-effective way. For example, the city of Taiyuan in China now has better air quality partly due to the investment they made in electric taxis and buses.

Paragraph A addresses the question, but it does have some issues:

1. There is no topic sentence.

2. There are too many ideas. It is better to have one core idea which is expanded or extended rather than making a list of separate items.

Paragraph B is better developed than Paragraph A because:

It has a clear central topic (money)

The topic is extended with:

A concession

A consequence

Lastly, it is useful to end your essay with a conclusion. This is where you can review your answer (your position plus the main points from the body paragraphs) and finish off with a final thought or suggestion. For example:

To summarise, free public transport is not a viable option to reduce road blockages and improve air quality, as there are better cost efficient ways to do this and the mobility issues it can cause. Moving forward, cities around the world should adopt greener transport options whether they be public or personal to ensure better traffic flow with fewer impurities in the air.

Discussion Essay

Here is a sample discussion essay.

Some people say that children should learn a foreign language when they are at kindergarten, but others feel that it is better for children to do this when they are teenagers. Discuss both of these views and give your own opinion.

The main thing to understand in a task like this is that there are 3 parts to the answer:

Discuss both of these views (1st and 2nd part)

and give your own opinion (3rd part)

When it comes to your introduction, it is important to mention both of these views, plus indicating your position can also be a good approach. For example:

Given that the world has become more globalised, the need to be able to use foreign languages has increased. As a result, there are those who believe that a child’s kindergarten years should be when another language is introduced, while the opposing view is that it is more ideal to wait for when a youngster reaches adolescence. This essay will reflect on both of these viewpoints before concluding with why the infancy argument is more valid.

When you ‘discuss both of these views’ in your body paragraphs, make sure you avoid mentioning your personal view. This can avoid any confusion between what you think and what they views of others are. Here are some introductory parts to the body paragraphs when discussing both views:

Looking at the kindergarten perspective firstly, the key reason why some claim this is a beneficial approach is …

With regards to waiting for the teenage years, supporters of this view argue that …

You will see that the writer has used phrases like ‘some claim’ and ‘supporters of this view’ to make sure that his/her own opinion is clearly separated. When introducing your own perspective, you can clearly mark it as follows:

On balance, my personal view is to support the former view because …

Weighing up both sides of the issue, despite the confusion a second language can cause youngsters in their development, I am of the belief that...

Two-part Questions

Another question type you may see in your IELTS Writing test is one where you have two separate prompts you need to answer. Here are a few examples:

These days, many cities have problems when they grow quickly, such as accidents and traffic jams. Why do these problems occur? How do these problems impact people who travel for work or study?

A trend in current times is the need for many workers to spend time outside of company hours on answering text and e-mail messages for their job. What problems does this cause for the worker? What can be done to reduce the impact of these problems?

It is becoming very common these days for students to take courses over the Internet instead of in face-to-face classrooms. Why are more students choosing this way of learning? Is this a positive or a negative development?

In this type of task, you can write a body paragraph on each of the two questions, but it is important to fully understand what you focus should be. Try to match these tasks (A, B or C) with the type of response required:

Task Type Sample Question

1. Cause + opinion: A, B or C?

2. Cause + effect: A, B or C?

3. Cause + solution A, B or C?

We can look at these sample questions in more detail now:

Why do these problems occur? = cause

How do these problems impact people who travel for work or study? = effect

Therefore, this matches Type 2.

What problems does this cause for the worker? = effect

What can be done to reduce the impact of these problems? = solution

Therefore, this matches Type 3.

Why are more students choosing this way of learning? = cause

Is this a positive or a negative development? = opinion

Therefore, this matches Type 1.

We hope you found this article useful in helping you better prepare for the different types of essays you are likely to encounter in the IELTS Writing test.

Achieve your desired band score in IELTS Writing

The IELTS Writing test is considered as one of the toughest sections of the IELTS test. It doesn’t have to be when you have the right tools to boost your preparation and be confident on your test day. Check out these articles to learn more about the IELTS Writing test:

IELTS Writing Task 2: How to understand IELTS question prompts

How to paraphrase and boost your IELTS Writing Score

Edit your IELTS Writing to avoid mistakes

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Band 9 Guide: IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Types and Structures + Sample Essays

In the IELTS Writing Task 2, you are required to craft a compelling essay on a given topic. The approach and structure will largely depend on the question type presented. This guide offers a detailed look into the various question types, their structures, and strategies to tackle them effectively.

Here are the essay types that we will cover:

Opinion Questions (Agree or Disagree)
Advantages and Disadvantages Questions
Discussion (Discuss Both Views) Questions
Problem and Solution Questions
Two-Part Questions
Mixed Type (Advantages and Disadvantages + Opinion)
Double Question
Causes (Reasons) and Effects

At the end, we will provide you with some supplementary tips that you can use to improve your writing band score in the IELTS exam.

1. Opinion Questions (Agree or Disagree)

This question type asks you to express your viewpoints on a given topic or statement.

Question Example:

Is digital technology in schools beneficial for students learning?

Essay Structure:

Introduction : Paraphrase the Question and state your opinion, outlining the main ideas.
Main Body Paragraph 1 : Begin with a topic sentence, explain this topic sentence, and provide an example.
Main Body Paragraph 2 : Follow the same format as the previous paragraph.
Conclusion : Recap the main points and reiterate your opinion.

Sample Essay:

Introduction: Digital technology has become an integral part of modern education, transforming the way students learn and interact with the world. In this essay, I will outline why I believe that incorporating digital technology in schools is highly beneficial for students learning.

Main Body Paragraph 1: First and foremost, digital technology enhances engagement and active participation in the learning process. Interactive learning platforms, virtual simulations, and multimedia resources make lessons more captivating and encourage students to explore concepts in depth. For instance, online platforms like Khan Academy offer interactive math lessons that adapt to individual learning paces, ensuring a personalized and effective learning experience. This level of engagement fosters a deeper understanding of subjects.

Main Body Paragraph 2: Furthermore, digital technology equips students with practical skills relevant to the digital age. In today’s interconnected world, proficiency in using digital tools and navigating online resources is essential for success. Integrating technology into education not only prepares students for the future job market but also empowers them to be critical thinkers and problem solvers. For instance, coding workshops in schools enable students to develop computational thinking, a skill applicable in a wide range of disciplines.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the integration of digital technology into schools brings numerous advantages to students’ learning experiences. It enhances engagement, promotes practical skills, and cultivates a mindset of adaptability and innovation. While some may argue that excessive screen time can be detrimental, judicious use of technology can mitigate these concerns. By embracing digital technology, schools can provide a holistic and dynamic education that prepares students for the challenges of the modern world.

Advanced Tips:

Be clear in your stance and acknowledge counterarguments if necessary.
Employ persuasive tools like strong adjectives, rhetorical questions, and emphatic structures to bolster your arguments.

2. Advantages and Disadvantages Questions

You need to evaluate both the benefits and drawbacks of a particular topic or situation.

What are the pros and cons of remote work for professionals?

Introduction : Paraphrase the Question and outline the main points.
Main Body Paragraph 1 : Discuss two advantages, expand on each, and provide an example.
Main Body Paragraph 2 : Detail two disadvantages, delve deeper into each, and give an example.
Conclusion : Summarize the main pros and cons discussed.

Introduction: The advent of technology has revolutionized the way professionals work, giving rise to the concept of remote work. In this essay, I will discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of remote work for professionals.

Main Body Paragraph 1: Remote work offers several compelling advantages for professionals. Firstly, it provides a flexible work environment that allows individuals to balance their personal and professional lives effectively. This flexibility can lead to increased job satisfaction and improved overall well-being. Moreover, remote work eliminates the need for daily commutes, saving valuable time and reducing stress. According to a study conducted by Global Workplace Analytics, remote workers report higher levels of productivity due to reduced distractions commonly found in traditional office settings.

Main Body Paragraph 2: However, remote work also presents certain challenges. One notable disadvantage is the potential for isolation and reduced collaboration. In a traditional office environment, spontaneous interactions and face-to-face discussions foster creativity and teamwork. Remote work can lead to feelings of loneliness and hinder effective communication, which is crucial for innovative solutions to complex problems. Additionally, remote work requires a high level of self-discipline, as the absence of direct supervision may lead to procrastination and decreased accountability.

Conclusion: In conclusion, remote work offers professionals a range of benefits such as flexibility and time savings. However, it is not without its drawbacks, including potential isolation and reduced collaboration. To maximize the advantages of remote work while mitigating its disadvantages, professionals must cultivate effective communication skills, establish a dedicated workspace, and maintain a disciplined work routine. Ultimately, the success of remote work hinges on the ability to strike a balance between the convenience it offers and the challenges it poses.

Use transitional phrases to ensure smooth transitions between points.
Avoid mere antonyms when presenting pros and cons.

3. Discussion (Discuss Both Views) Questions

These questions require you to explore multiple perspectives on a topic.

Should governments prioritize economic growth over environmental conservation?

Introduction : Paraphrase the Question and provide a thesis statement.
Main Body Paragraph 1 : Detail one viewpoint, give reasons for/against it and provide an example.
Main Body Paragraph 2 : State the opposing viewpoint, discuss it, and again offer an example.
Conclusion : Sum up the discussion and state your preferred perspective.

Introduction: The delicate balance between economic growth and environmental conservation has become a critical concern in contemporary societies. In this essay, I will delve into both perspectives on whether governments should prioritize economic growth or environmental conservation.

Main Body Paragraph 1: From an economic standpoint, prioritizing growth can lead to numerous benefits. Economic expansion creates job opportunities, boosts national income, and improves living standards for citizens. For instance, countries like China and India have experienced significant economic growth that has lifted millions out of poverty. This growth can fund essential services such as healthcare and education, contributing to overall societal development.

Main Body Paragraph 2: On the other hand, environmental conservation holds paramount importance for the future well-being of our planet. Ecological degradation and resource depletion have dire consequences for ecosystems and humanity alike. Focusing on environmental conservation ensures the preservation of biodiversity, clean air, and freshwater sources. For instance, countries like Sweden have successfully implemented green policies, resulting in cleaner air and sustainable use of natural resources.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the debate over whether governments should prioritize economic growth or environmental conservation is complex and multifaceted. While economic growth brings prosperity and improved living standards, neglecting environmental concerns could lead to irreversible damage to our planet. Striking a balance between these two perspectives is crucial. Governments can implement policies that promote sustainable economic growth while also ensuring responsible resource management and environmental protection. Only through careful consideration and informed decision-making can societies navigate the intricate interplay between economic progress and environmental stewardship.

Ensure you give equal weight to both viewpoints.
Your conclusion should reflect a balanced understanding of the topic.

Read Also : Cohesive Devices for Band 9 in IELTS Writing: The ultimate guide

4. Problem and Solution Questions

This question type asks you to identify problems related to a situation and suggest solutions.

What challenges does urbanization present and how can cities adapt?

Introduction : Paraphrase the Question and outline the main ideas.
Main Body Paragraph 1 : Identify the problems, discuss them, and offer examples.
Main Body Paragraph 2 : Suggest possible solutions, discuss their feasibility, and provide examples.
Conclusion : Recap the highlighted problems and proposed solutions.

Introduction: The rapid pace of urbanization has transformed the world’s landscape, bringing with it a host of challenges that demand urgent attention. In this essay, I will explore the problems posed by urbanization and propose viable solutions to address these challenges.

Main Body Paragraph 1: Urbanization has given rise to a range of pressing issues. One significant challenge is the strain on urban infrastructure, including transportation and housing. As rural populations migrate to cities, the demand for housing outpaces supply, leading to slums and inadequate living conditions. Additionally, traffic congestion and limited public transport options undermine efficient mobility. Pollution is another critical concern as increased industrial activity and vehicular emissions degrade air quality, endangering residents’ health.

Main Body Paragraph 2: To counter these challenges, cities can adopt proactive measures. Firstly, urban planning should prioritize affordable housing initiatives and sustainable infrastructure development. By building smart cities that utilize technology to manage resources efficiently, governments can alleviate congestion and enhance the quality of life. Moreover, investing in efficient public transportation systems, such as metro networks and buses, can reduce traffic congestion and pollution. For instance, the Bus Rapid Transit system in Curitiba, Brazil, has improved transportation efficiency and reduced congestion.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the challenges posed by urbanization require multifaceted solutions that span urban planning, infrastructure development, and sustainable policies. By addressing housing shortages, improving transportation, and promoting environmentally conscious practices, cities can harness the potential of urbanization while mitigating its negative consequences. This approach will not only enhance the quality of life for urban residents but also contribute to the overall well-being of society in the face of an increasingly urbanized world.

Be specific in identifying problems and avoid vagueness.
Solutions should be practical and actionable.

5. Two-Part Questions

You are presented with a statement followed by two distinct queries that must be addressed.

How has digital technology impacted workplaces and what future advancements can be anticipated?

Introduction : Paraphrase the statement and outline both questions.
Main Body Paragraph 1 : Address the first question with explanations and examples.
Main Body Paragraph 2 : Respond to the second question, again with explanations and examples.
Conclusion : Summarize the responses to both questions.

Introduction: The integration of digital technology into workplaces has reshaped the dynamics of modern work environments, bringing forth both immediate changes and future possibilities. In this essay, I will delve into the ways digital technology has already transformed workplaces and discuss potential advancements that can be anticipated.

Main Body Paragraph 1: The impact of digital technology on workplaces has been profound. Firstly, it has streamlined communication and collaboration, allowing teams to collaborate across geographical boundaries in real-time. Tools like video conferencing and cloud-based document sharing have revolutionized how projects are managed. Moreover, automation powered by artificial intelligence (AI) has improved efficiency by handling routine tasks, freeing up employees to focus on more complex, creative endeavors. This has been particularly evident in industries like manufacturing, where robots have taken over repetitive and dangerous tasks.

Main Body Paragraph 2: Looking ahead, digital technology is poised to bring even more transformative changes. The rise of remote work is likely to continue, with augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies offering immersive virtual workspaces that replicate physical office environments. Furthermore, AI-driven analytics will enable data-driven decision-making, enhancing business strategies and customer interactions. The concept of a “smart office” will likely emerge, with interconnected devices and IoT (Internet of Things) technology optimizing resource utilization and energy efficiency.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the impact of digital technology on workplaces has been substantial, revolutionizing communication, automating tasks, and increasing efficiency. As we move forward, advancements such as AR, VR, AI, and IoT hold the promise of further reshaping work environments. To stay competitive, companies must embrace these innovations while also addressing potential challenges like data security and workforce adaptation. By doing so, they can position themselves to thrive in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Maintain a clear division between your answers to both questions.
Use predictive techniques when addressing future-related queries.

6. Mixed Type (Advantages and Disadvantages + Opinion)

Here, you should discuss the pros and cons of a topic, followed by expressing a personal opinion.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of online shopping and give your own opinion.

Introduction : Introduce the topic.
Advantages : 1-2 paragraphs detailing the benefits.
Disadvantages : 1-2 paragraphs detailing the drawbacks.
Opinion : State your viewpoint and provide supporting reasons.
Conclusion : Summarize the main points.

Introduction: The proliferation of online shopping has transformed the way consumers engage in commerce, offering convenience and accessibility like never before. This essay will explore the benefits and drawbacks of online shopping, followed by my personal opinion on its overall impact.

Advantages: Online shopping presents several advantages. Firstly, it offers unparalleled convenience, allowing customers to browse and purchase products from the comfort of their homes. This eliminates the need to travel to physical stores, saving time and energy. Moreover, the variety of options available online ensures a wider selection of products, often at competitive prices. Online platforms also offer detailed product information, reviews, and comparison tools, empowering consumers to make informed decisions.

Disadvantages: However, online shopping is not without its disadvantages. One major concern is the inability to physically inspect products before purchase. This can lead to dissatisfaction if the received item doesn’t match expectations. Additionally, online transactions may pose risks to personal data security and privacy. Cases of identity theft and online scams are not uncommon, raising concerns about the safety of online purchases. Furthermore, the lack of face-to-face interaction eliminates the personal touch of traditional shopping experiences.

Opinion: In my opinion, the advantages of online shopping outweigh its drawbacks. The convenience, vast selection, and competitive prices make it a viable option for today’s busy consumers. The potential risks associated with online transactions can be mitigated by adopting secure payment methods and practicing caution when sharing personal information. As technology continues to advance, addressing security concerns will likely become more effective.

Conclusion: In conclusion, online shopping offers undeniable benefits in terms of convenience, variety, and accessibility. While challenges such as product inspection and security issues persist, they can be managed with prudent shopping practices. Embracing online shopping while remaining vigilant about its potential pitfalls can lead to a rewarding and efficient shopping experience.

Balance your essay by giving equal importance to advantages, disadvantages, and your opinion.
Use rhetorical questions to highlight the significance of your viewpoint.

Read Also : Common grammar mistakes to avoid in the IELTS writing section

7. Double Question

Two distinct questions are presented that must be answered within the essay.

Why do people attend colleges or universities? What are the benefits of higher education?

Answer to Question 1 : Provide reasons and examples.
Answer to Question 2 : Offer explanations and illustrations.
Conclusion : Recap the main points made.

Introduction: The decision to pursue higher education is driven by a multitude of factors, each intertwined with the potential benefits that education beyond high school can offer. This essay will delve into the reasons individuals choose to attend colleges or universities and the advantages that higher education brings.

Answer to Question 1: People seek higher education for various reasons. Firstly, acquiring specialized knowledge and skills is a primary motivation. Colleges and universities offer structured curricula that equip students with expertise in their chosen fields. Furthermore, higher education provides opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery. The university environment encourages critical thinking, independent research, and exposure to diverse perspectives, fostering well-rounded individuals who are prepared for the challenges of the modern world.

Answer to Question 2: The benefits of higher education are manifold. Firstly, it significantly enhances career prospects. Graduates with degrees are often more competitive in the job market, commanding higher salaries and better employment opportunities. Additionally, higher education fosters networking and social connections that can open doors to professional opportunities. Moreover, education beyond high school cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are invaluable assets in various aspects of life. For instance, an educated citizenry contributes to informed decision-making in society and drives innovation.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the decision to attend colleges or universities is driven by a desire for specialized knowledge, personal growth, and expanded opportunities. The benefits of higher education are far-reaching, including improved career prospects, enhanced critical thinking abilities, and societal contributions. As higher education continues to evolve and adapt to changing demands, its role in shaping individuals and society remains indispensable.

Use connectors like “Firstly” and “Secondly” to distinguish between the two answers.
Provide real-life examples to make your answers more credible.

8. Evaluation

You should assess the significance, relevance, or implications of a topic or statement.

How significant is the role of technology in education today?

Significance/Relevance : Describe why the topic is essential.
Counterarguments : Discuss opposing viewpoints or potential drawbacks.
Conclusion : Summarize your evaluation.

Introduction: Technology’s pervasive presence in modern education has sparked debates about its significance and impact on learning. This essay will evaluate the role of technology in education today, examining its importance and potential drawbacks.

Significance/Relevance: The role of technology in education is undeniably significant. It has transformed traditional classrooms into dynamic learning environments, offering interactive tools and resources that engage students. Technology facilitates personalized learning experiences, catering to diverse learning styles and paces. For instance, adaptive learning platforms tailor content to individual students’ progress, optimizing comprehension and retention. Moreover, technology has transcended geographical barriers, enabling distance learning and online courses that make education accessible to a global audience.

Counterarguments: However, there are counterarguments to the unqualified significance of technology in education. Overreliance on technology may lead to reduced face-to-face interactions and diminished social skills. Additionally, some educators argue that technology can be a distraction, diverting students’ attention from essential learning objectives. Moreover, the digital divide, where not all students have equal access to technology, can exacerbate educational inequalities.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the role of technology in education is undoubtedly significant, enhancing engagement, personalization, and accessibility. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge potential drawbacks such as social skill erosion and disparities in access. Technology’s effectiveness in education depends on its thoughtful integration and its alignment with pedagogical goals. Striking a balance between harnessing technology’s benefits and mitigating its downsides is essential to maximize its positive impact on modern education.

Maintain objectivity; avoid extreme positions unless strongly backed by evidence.
Use qualifiers like “largely”, “often”, or “generally” to avoid making absolute statements.

9. Causes (Reasons) and Effects

This type demands an understanding of the root causes of a situation and its resultant effects.

What are the reasons for increasing obesity rates in children, and what are its consequences?

Causes/Reasons : Elaborate on the underlying factors.
Effects/Consequences : Detail the outcomes or repercussions.
Conclusion : Recap the main causes and effects.

Introduction: The rising prevalence of childhood obesity has emerged as a critical public health concern in many societies. This essay will delve into the underlying causes of increasing obesity rates in children and explore the far-reaching consequences of this alarming trend.

Causes/Reasons: Several factors contribute to the growing obesity rates among children. Firstly, changes in dietary habits have led to increased consumption of processed foods high in sugars and unhealthy fats. Busy lifestyles and convenience-driven choices have shifted diets towards calorie-dense but nutritionally poor options. Sedentary behaviors, fueled by excessive screen time and a decline in physical activity, also play a pivotal role. Reduced outdoor play and an increasing reliance on electronic devices have led to a decline in daily physical activity levels. Furthermore, socioeconomic disparities can impact access to healthy food options and safe play spaces, exacerbating the issue.

Effects/Consequences: The consequences of childhood obesity are multifaceted and far-reaching. In the short term, overweight children often face social and psychological challenges, including low self-esteem and bullying. Moreover, childhood obesity sets the stage for lifelong health problems. Obese children are at a higher risk of developing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and musculoskeletal issues. The economic burden on healthcare systems is substantial, as treating obesity-related illnesses places a strain on resources.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the rising prevalence of childhood obesity can be attributed to a complex interplay of factors, including dietary changes, sedentary lifestyles, and socioeconomic disparities. The consequences of childhood obesity extend beyond physical health, impacting mental well-being and straining healthcare systems. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach involving education, policy changes, and community initiatives that promote healthy diets and active lifestyles from an early age.

Use cause-effect connectors like “due to”, “because of”, “as a result”, and “hence”.
Illustrate causes and effects with recent studies or statistical data where possible.

Read Also : How to use Complex Sentences in IELTS writing?

Supplementary Skills and Tips

Advanced Writing Techniques :

Use cohesive devices like ‘however’, ‘moreover’, and ‘therefore’ to ensure fluidity.
Vary sentence lengths for rhythm and engagement.
Incorporate credible statistics where appropriate.

Pitfalls to Avoid :

Stay away from broad generalizations and sweeping statements.
Use varied vocabulary to prevent monotony.
Always revise your essay before submission.

Enhancing Vocabulary :

Improve your vocabulary to make your essay more engaging. For instance, instead of “good”, use words like “beneficial” or “advantageous”.

The Importance of Practice and Feedback :

Regular practice, coupled with feedback, is key. Take online IELTS mock tests with detailed feedback from certified examiners to improve your writing skills.

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Types of essays in ielts writing task 2.

IELTS Writing Task 2 is much more than just creating an essay of at least 250 words in 40 minutes!

Task 2 of the IELTS Writing test judges your ability to discuss and justify your opinion, provide relevant examples to support your arguments and conclude with your final thoughts or suggestions.

You must have explicit knowledge of the various types of essays asked in the IELTS Writing Task 2, to ace your IELTS essay.

The essay themes are usually based on topics of general interest like technology in education, environmental issues, crime, animal testing, community service, rehabilitation, and public transport, to name a few.

This article will unfold and discuss different kinds of essays asked in IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 .

Table of Contents

IELTS Essay Types and Structure

Discussion Essay
Opinion Essay
Multi-part Essay
Multi-part and Opinion Essay
Positive/Negative Essay
Cause/Solution Essay
Advantage/Disadvantage Essay

What are the Learning Objectives of Essay Writing?

The IELTS Writing Task 2 consists of several essay types: Discussion Essays, Opinion Essays, Multi-part Essays, Multi-part and Opinion Essays, Positive/Negative Essays, Advantage/Disadvantage Essays, and Cause/Solution Essays.

Immediately after reading the essay prompt, you must first decide your essay structure and points to be covered in each paragraph of the essay. Doing this will help you systematically plan your IELTS Academic essay.

The basic structure of essay writing in IELTS Writing Task 2 is as follows:

Introduction: The opening paragraph of your essay must be engaging and hint towards what you will explain in the main paragraphs of the essay. The best way to write an introduction is to paraphrase the task statement and write the thesis statement.

Paraphrasing the task statement will indicate the central theme of the essay. On the other hand, the thesis statement explains your take on the topic.

Body Paragraph 1: The first body paragraph covers the essay's main idea/argument with supporting explanations and examples. For example, in agree/disagree essay, you can write why you agree with the essay task statement. You must write the body paragraph 1 in 6-8 sentences.
Body Paragraph 2: The second body paragraph discusses the secondary idea/argument of the essay with supporting reasons and examples. For example, in agree/disagree essay, you can write why you disagree with the essay task statement. You must write body paragraph 2 in 6-8 sentences.
Conclusion: Finally, you must summarize the points discussed in the essay and give your final thoughts or suggestions.

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7 Types of Essays in IELTS Academic with Sample Questions

In this section, we will discuss 7 different types of essays in IELTS Task 2 of the writing test. In addition, you will understand the best technique to attempt IELTS Writing Task 2 essays with our sample questions.

Now, let's have a look at the IELTS Writing Task 2 essay types explained below:

1. Discussion Essay

This type of IELTS essay prompt states two varied opinions on a popular trend. You need to discuss both views and give your opinion on the topic.

Sample Question:

Some feel that contemporary technology is widening the disparities between the wealthy and the poor, while others disagree. Discuss both points of view and express your perspective.

How to Attempt:

Introduction: Look for essential terms in the task statement. The phrases "contemporary technology" and "disparities between the wealthy and the poor" are essential in this context. Hence, the introduction must be centred around these words in a paraphrased form. Then, describe what you are going to discuss in the essay.

For example, A segment of society thinks that new-age technology is the prime reason for the rising difference between the rich and poor population, while others believe the contrary. This essay revolves around both viewpoints.

Body Paragraph 1: Discuss why modern technology is increasing the gap between rich and poor. Give at least 1-2 reasons and examples to support your argument.

Body Paragraph 2: Explain why modern technology is a step towards bringing both rich and poor together. Give at least 1-2 reasons and examples to support your argument.

Conclusion: Summarize the entire essay with your final thoughts and suggestions.

2. Opinion Essay

This essay question type asks you to agree or disagree with the task statement. You need to pick a side to write a well-developed essay. Agreeing with both views or giving a diplomatic answer favouring both opinions might mislead the examiner, leading to low scored essay.

Some say that young individuals are more innovative than mature individuals in business or the workplace. Do you agree or disagree with the statement?

Introduction: Talk about the stereotype which claims young people are more creative than mature people in business or at work. Drop a hint on your stance on the topic.

For example, In general, people hold a stereotype that after attaining a certain age, creative thinking takes a back seat. Owing to this, older employees are forced to leave the company to make space for fresh and young talents to let the creative juices flow. I think both young and older adults have strengths and weaknesses in their creative processes.

Body Paragraph 1: Discuss why you think that younger people are more creative than older people in the workplace. Give at least 1-2 reasons and examples to support your argument.

Body Paragraph 2: Elaborate on why you think having more experienced employees is crucial for the company's growth. Give at least 1-2 reasons and examples to support your argument.

Conclusion: Summarize the entire essay with your final thoughts and suggestions. Specifically, for opinion-based essays, your conclusion should focus more on your stance, agree or disagree.

3. Multi-part Essay

Since direct questions are asked in this type of essay, it is also called a 'Direct Question Essay'. The multi-part essay contains questions, some of which can be answered directly, whereas others are complex and require in-depth answers. The structure of the essay will depend upon the order of questions asked in the essay.

Several people work harder than others in education and employment. Why do various people work harder? Is it at all times an excellent thing to work hard?

Introduction: Talk about the importance of working hard while pursuing education and employment. Briefly discuss your opinion on the questions in the essay.

For example, In times of immense competition, it becomes imperative to prove your worth every time. Working hard in everything you do, be it academics or profession, is the need of the hour. People in every occupation require a certain level of expertise, which comes with practice and working hard in a real-time environment. Working hard is only sometimes needed; working smart is a pressing priority in modern times.

Body Paragraph 1: Discuss why you think that people work harder. Give at least 1-2 reasons and examples to support your argument.

Body Paragraph 2: Express your viewpoints on whether working hard is always a good thing to do. Give at least 1-2 reasons and examples to support your argument.

4. Multi-part and Opinion Essay

This essay type is an extended form of a Multi-part essay, with an additional part asking your opinion on the topic. In Multi-part and opinion essay, you will be given a set of questions and explicitly asked to provide your views on the task statement.

We have often thought of creating an ideal society, but most of the time, we have failed to make this happen. How can we create a perfect society? What are your thoughts on a perfect society?

Introduction: Talk about the significance of creating an ideal society and highlight the possible reasons for the failure in shaping a perfect society. Briefly discuss your opinion on the questions in the essay.

For example, Most people want to live in a perfect society. However, the living environment is a deciding factor in residing in various societies. Many countries have diverse cultures with people from different religions; tying all the cultures together can create an exemplary community.

However, due to cultural differences achieving this might take years to accomplish. The following essay will discuss the reasons behind this and practical ways to develop and shape an ideal society.

Body Paragraph 1: Explain the reasons behind the failure to set an ideal community. Give at least 1-2 reasons and examples to support your argument.

Body Paragraph 2: Discuss how to create an ideal society and share your opinion about a perfect community. Give at least 1-2 reasons and examples to support your argument.

Body Paragraph 3: Share your opinion about a perfect community. Give at least 1-2 reasons and examples to support your argument.

5. Positive/Negative Essay

As the name suggests, a Positive/Negative essay contains a statement of general interest, based on which you have to explain whether the subject matter has resulted in a positive or negative development.

For about 500 years, the world has been shaped by globalization. Is it a positive or negative development?

Introduction: Talk about the impact created through globalization on the global economies. Indicate whether you think it is a positive development or not.

For example, Globalization has undoubtedly led to the overall development of worldwide economies in a positive light. While some say that globalization has negative consequences, it has produced significant achievements, albeit authorities should be cautious of the adverse effects of globalization.

Body Paragraph 1: Discuss the positive impact of globalization over the years. Give at least 1-2 reasons and examples to support your argument.

Body Paragraph 2: Explain the negative impact created through globalization over the years. Give at least 1-2 reasons and examples to support your argument.

6. Cause/Solution Essay

In Cause/solution essay, you are given a statement emphasizing a problem faced by people at large. Hence, this type of essay is also known as Problem Solution Essay. You are sometimes asked to discuss problems or issues related to the given topic and give suggestions to solve these issues.

Overpopulation in urban areas has led to several problems. Pick one or two serious issues and make recommendations for how the public and governments might address them.

Introduction: Paraphrase the task statement using synonyms, changing word forms and sentence structures. Talk about 1-2 significant problems related to overpopulation in urban areas. Highlight the points you are going to explain in the essay.

For example, The rising population in urban localities has resulted in many setbacks for society on several grounds. The major problems which are an evident consequence of overpopulation are rising levels of unemployment and the degradation of the environment. In this essay, I will discuss these issues in depth and suggest ways to improve the present challenging and unpleasant situation.

Body Paragraph 1: Discuss the first problem caused by overpopulation. Give at least 1-2 consequences and examples to support your argument.

Body Paragraph 2: Explain the second problem caused by overpopulation. Give at least 1-2 consequences and examples to support your argument.

Body Paragraph 3: Elucidate the solutions for each problem discussed above. The solutions must be practical concerning the specific authorities responsible for handling these problems.

Conclusion: Summarize the entire essay with your final thoughts and suggestions or prediction.

7. Advantage/Disadvantage Essay

In this type of essay, you must discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the given task statement. There are three possible ways to ask this question.

first one will ask you to state the advantages and disadvantages. The second one will ask whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages or vice versa. The last one may ask you for your opinion and the advantages and disadvantages.

Computers are essential to school lessons. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.

Introduction: Talk about the importance of computer-aided education in schools. Point out the advantages and disadvantages you will explain in the essay.

For example, Computers are becoming an essential teaching tool in educational institutions. The capacity to supply students with audio-visual information is the most significant benefit of utilizing computers in teaching. In my opinion, the benefits of doing so considerably exceed the tiny drawbacks of excessive computer use.

Body Paragraph 1: Discuss the advantages of computer-aided education in schools. Give at least 1-2 reasons and examples to support your argument.

Body Paragraph 2: Explain the disadvantages of computer-aided education in schools. Give at least 1-2 reasons and examples to support your argument.

Body Paragraph 3: Give your opinion on the relevance of computer-based education in schools. Support your argument with relevant examples.

Improve your Writing Skills for IELTS

Essay writing may be used to fulfil a range of learning goals, including:

Strengthening Research Skills: Essay writing may assist students in learning how to do research and obtain information from several sources, such as books, articles, and websites.
Enhancing Writing Abilities: Essays allow students to practice and refine their writing skills, such as grammar, syntax, and structure.
Improving Critical Thinking and Analysis Skills: Essay writing requires students to analyze and interpret material and ideas and present their thoughts and arguments clearly and logically.
Showcasing Comprehension of a Topic: Students can demonstrate their grasp of a specific topic or subject by writing an essay.
Polishing Communication Skills: Writing essays may assist students in developing their ability to persuasively express their thoughts and opinions in writing, which is crucial in academic and professional contexts.

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Can I answer task 2 before task 1 in the IELTS exam?

There is no fixed order in which you must attempt the IELTS Writing section. So, you can attempt either of the tasks first. Writing task 2 before task 1 will give you enough time to focus on idea generation and essay structuring. Moreover, task 2 carries twice the weight of Task 1, so emphasizing Task 2 or Task 1 can be beneficial.

Also Read: Everything You Need to Know About IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

Is writing 350 words or above in Task 2 in the IELTS right?

There is no upper word limit for task 2 in IELTS. Furthermore, you do not get negative marks for writing more than 250 words. However, you should not write too much, as you might end up writing irrelevant content, due to which you might lose marks. To attain a higher band score on the IELTS Writing Task 2, you should attempt to write 270-290 words.

How many words are allowed in the IELTS Task 2?

The recommended word limit for task 2 is at least 250 words. Going a little above the specified word limit is advisable to showcase a structured essay with well-defined ideas. Ideally, you can exceed the word limit by 30-40 words for the IELTS Writing Task 2.

Can online apps evaluate the IELTS Writing Task 2 essays?

IELTS writing task 2 essays may be evaluated using internet applications and websites. These applications utilize machine learning algorithms to assess the essay's syntax, vocabulary, coherence, and general quality. However, it is crucial to highlight that these evaluations should not be applied in place of a professional human assessor.

They are considered a tool to help you develop your writing skills, not a final judgment of your ability. Furthermore, be aware that these assessments might be inaccurate and may fail to account for your work's cultural and linguistic intricacies. Hence, having your essays examined by a human evaluator or an instructor is always preferable.

How to improve task response in IELTS Writing Task 2?

First, read the question carefully and identify the essay type asked. Then plan out your essay structure and jot down the points you will cover in each paragraph. While writing the essay, you must use correct grammar, vocabulary, and transition words to create an effective essay.

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IELTS Essays : Five Types of IELTS Essays

by CANAM Group

By: CANAM Group
Updated On: May 25,2023 05:27 PM IST

The IELTS exam’s writing module’s writing task 2 consists of writing an essay. This blog first discusses a general essay structure, then moves on to present five different types of essays. The blog also gives out how to write each essay type with a sample answer for one of the essay types.

• IELTS Essay â Different Types of Essays
• Opinion â Agree/Disagree Type
• Advantages/Disadvantages Type
• Problem and Solution Type
• Discussion Type â Discuss both views
• Two-Part Question Type

IELTS Essays : Five Types of IELTS Essays

Understanding the proper essay format for IELTS Writing Task 2 is a crucial ability that might mean the difference between receiving the band score you merit or not. In light of this, we have included below the most typical IELTS Writing Task 2 structures.

Almost all of my Task 2 essays have the following general structure:

Introduction

Main Body Paragraph 1

Main Body Paragraph 2

Depending on the type of question you are asked, you will use different sentences in each paragraph.

IELTS Essay – Different Types of Essays

The five IELTS Writing Task 2 questions are as follows:

1.Opinion – Agree/Disagree Type

2.Advantages/Disadvantages Type

3.Problem and Solution Type

4.Discussion Type – Discuss both views

5.Two-Part Question Type

I'll provide samples and a format for each type of question that has been endorsed by knowledgeable IELTS tutors and examiners below. Your IELTS band score should increase as a result of your ability to produce a concise, well-organized response. Please be aware that depending on the question, there are broad structures and these may change slightly.

Opinion – Agree/Disagree Type

Common Question Words:

1.Do you agree or disagree?

2.To what extent do you agree or disagree?

3.What is your opinion?

Sample Question Some people believe that unpaid community service should be compulsory in high school programs (for example, working for a charity, improving the neighbourhood or teaching sports to younger children).

Do you agree or disagree?

IELTS Essay Structure for this Type

1.Paraphrase the question

2.Express your viewpoint and list the main ideas.

1.Topic Sentence

2.Elaborate upon the topic sentence

3.Give a relevant example

Summarize the main ideas and give your opinion

Sample Answer

It is believed that volunteering ought to be taught in schools. This essay wholeheartedly concurs with that recommendation because it aids students in acquiring crucial work experience while also helping them build soft skills.

Education should not only focus on academic subjects; students should also learn life skills like teamwork, empathy, and self-discipline. Community service is one of the finest ways to develop these talents. Serving those less fortunate than ourselves teaches us numerous lessons, like the importance of hard work and how to work with others from different backgrounds, allowing us to develop these qualities before we become adults. To boost their appreciation for what they have and to strengthen their work ethic, many young people from wealthy nations, for instance, take a year off from school to volunteer with those who are less fortunate than themselves.

These kinds of experiences are increasingly sought after by many institutions and employers. Since most graduates have similar grades, volunteering can help you stand out when applying to colleges compared to other students. For instance, Cambridge and Oxford only accept a small portion of the hundreds of applications from straight-A students each year. What you have accomplished outside of the classroom frequently sets you apart from the competition and secures you that desired position.

In conclusion, teens should be required to perform unpaid work as part of their education since doing so would enable them to obtain skills and knowledge that they might not otherwise learn from their teachers and will increase their likelihood of enrolling in third-level institutions.

Advantages/Disadvantages Type

Common Essay Words

1.What are the advantages and disadvantages?

2.Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

Sample Question

Technology is being used more and more in education.

2.Write main ideas

Summarize the main ideas

Problem and Solution Type

Common question words

1.Cause and Solution

2.Problem and Solution

Students are becoming more and more reliant on technology.

What are some of the problems associated with reliance on computers, and what are some of the possible solutions?

2.Give an outline sentence

3.Write a relevant example

3.Site a relevant example

Summarize the main point

Discussion Type – Discuss both views

Discuss both points of view and give your opinion

Technology is being used more and more in education. Some people say that this is a positive trend, while others argue that it is leading to negative consequences.

Discuss both sides of this argument and then give your own opinion.

1.Paraphrase the statement or write both views

2.Write thesis statement

3.Give an outline sentence

4.Main Body Paragraph 1

Write the first viewpoint

1.Discuss this viewpoint

2.Give reasons why you agree or disagree with this first viewpoint

3.Write a relevant example to support this viewpoint

4.Main Body Paragraph 2

Write the second viewpoint

2.Give reasons why you agree or disagree with this viewpoint

4.Conclusion

Summarize the essay

Write which viewpoint is better or more important

Two-Part Question Type

Typically, they will make a remark and then ask you to respond to specific questions.

As most people spend a major part of their adult life at work, job satisfaction is an important element of individual well-being.

What factor contributes to job satisfaction?

How realistic is the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers?

IELTS Essay structure for this Type

2.Give an outline sentence stating both the questions

1.Write an answer to the first question

2.Explain the reason for the first question

3.Elaborate upon the first question further

4.Write an example

1.Write an answer to the second question

2.Explain the reason for your answer

3.Elaborate upon the second question further

4.Write a relevant example

The quality of your language and vocabulary as well as how well you respond to the question will determine your grade for the IELTS essay. Your score for coherence and cohesion will go up if you have a solid framework, but you must use relevant ideas and use them effectively to respond to the question.

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Different Types of IELTS Essays

Learn the different types of essay questions in the IELTS test, so that you can respond better to the questions and structure your essays better. This will increase your score for task response and cohesion and coherence.

I have six different structures to fit the six different types of questions that you’re likely to encounter in your IELTS writing test. You need to learn how to identify and respond to these different types of questions in order to have an ideal response and essay structure. You should visit my website and learn all of these and read my model answer in order to fully understand how to write your essays. If you would like to challenge yourself further you can do the homework tasks to check your understanding and receive feedback on the score you’re likely to receive and how to increase it. Please see the following essay types on my website:

𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗢𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝘆

Get your homework corrected to find out the band score and how to increase it.

23 thoughts on “Different Types of IELTS Essays”

My gratitude to you for all you have done for many years with your dedication and real commitment to help and support your students. ❤⚘

Thanks Cyrus. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment.

Thank you,Cyrus! Your video really helps me in writing part! I appreciate your outline , it is completely clear . \

Not sure who Cyrus is!

Maybe Cyrus is my AI assistant!

In IELTS essays when we have an opinion like “somewhat agree” … When we go on to the reasons why we disagree… We are making a concession. Essentially we are conceding that there is another side to the argument. So this occurs in your 3rd paragraph of task 7 when you start to mention the value of technology.

I’m not a big fan of concessions… On the whole most people don’t write them well and it lowers their score. So on the whole against concessions for this reason… But let me now make a concession against this. However, If someone is able to write them well it could result in a higher score and it could be something that help someone get to 8 or 9 for task response.

If you must get to 8 you can consider writing them. You can also consider writing them for practice. But for someone who only need 7 I would only be writing a concession if I could not think of 2 reasons to totally agree or disagree… In this situation you might have to have one reason to agree ond one reason to disagree

Hi Mike, I am really suffering with variety of vocabulary for writing essay, can you guide which exact sourse i can use for essays.

For most writers, the main issue is getting the structure and response right. I don’t have much on vocabulary, you can read my model answers and you can look here: https://www.ieltsanswers.com/writing-vocabulary.html

I love your work!

For questions such as “Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages” what question type is this? I felt lost when I stumbled on this question type in my last IELST for which I had a 6 in writing but 8+ in other sections, quite a bummer! Thank you!

HI. this type of essay is essentially an opinion essay… It’s asking for your opinion about whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages… Which I like to paraphrase as merits outweigh the drawbacks.

You can see a model essay I wroteto get ideas about how to structure this type of essay https://www.ieltsanswers.com/model-essays/arts-media-2.html

You can see a model essay I wrote to get ideas about how to structure this type of essay https://www.ieltsanswers.com/model-essays/arts-media-2.html

Hi Mike, Can you suggest of which type below essays are?

In some countries, secondary schools aim to provide a general education across a range of subjects. In others, children focus on a narrow range of subjects related to a particular career. For today’s world, which system is appropriate?

Many newspapers and magazines feature stories about the private lives of famous people. We know what they eat, where they buy their clothes and who they love. We also often see pictures of them in private situations. Is it appropriate for a magazine or newspaper to give this kind of private information about people?

both questions most closely for an opinion essay

https://www.ieltsanswers.com/ielts-opinion-essay.html

Hi Mike, For the below two questions do we need to take one side completely or can we take partial stand. In other words how are these different from the essay type ‘to what extant do you agree or disagree?’

1. It is better for children if the whole families are involved in the children’s upbringing, rather than their fathers and mothers only. Give your opinion?

2. Some people believe that unpaid community service should be compulsory part of high school programs. Do you agree or disagree?

Thanks, Rajendra

All three questions are essentially asking the same thing. the only real difference is that “to what extent do you agree or disagree” requires that you not only say whether you agree or disagree but also how much. With the other two questions, you don’t necessarily have to say how much you agree or disagree, but I would still recommend it because it makes for a clearer opinion. You can see how I write this type of essay here: https://www.ieltsanswers.com/ielts-opinion-essay.html

I think side 2 in the (Both sides+opinion) should be disadvantages

Thanks for your help. You are correct and I have fixed this!

I am student from Afghanistan , I would really like to take IELTS . I need your kindness help . Please give me a hand for passing this exams. I will appreciate respectfully. Karimi.

Please see the link below about preparing for your test https://www.ieltsanswers.com/preparing-ielts-test.html

Dear Mike , Could you please point out what task type is (is this negative or positive development) ? and what structure should be followed in response to that kind of questions? Thanks

Hi Mohamad, it is an opinion essay . introduction = rephrase the topic and state whether it is positive or negative reason 1 it is positive or negative reason 2 it is positive or negative conclusion = restate your opinion and summarise the reasons from the body https://www.ieltsanswers.com/ielts-opinion-essay.html

Hi Mr. Mike, Could you please tell me what is the type of those questions because I am confused 1) do you think this is more advantageous or more disadvantageous ? 2)do you think it has more positive or negative effects? is this an opinion essay or discussion+ opinion

Sara, I suggest you 1. write using an opinion format 2. write in 3rd person and not 1st “I believe the merits outweigh the drawbacks” = “the merits outweigh the drawbacks”

IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Structures

The four most common IELTS writing Task 2 questions are: Opinion, Advantages and Disadvantages, Problem and Solution Discussion

IELTS Task 2 Essay Structures

Knowing how to structure your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay is an essential skill that can make the difference between getting and not getting the band score you deserve. With that in mind, we have outlined the most common IELTS Writing Task 2 structures below.

Nearly all of my Task 2 essays follow this basic structure: The sentences you put in each paragraph will depend on what type of question you get.

The five most common IELTS Writing Task 2 questions are:

Opinion (Agree or Disagree)
Advantages and Disadvantages
Problem and Solution
Discussion (Discuss both views)
Two-part Question

Below I will outline examples and a structure approved by experienced IELTS teachers and examiners for each type of question. This will help you write a clear, coherent answer and hopefully boost your IELTS band score. I also include an example answer for each type of question so you can see the structure in a real essay.

Please note that these are general structures and may vary slightly depending on the question.

Please also note that no ‘one’ Task 2 essay structure will get you a high score. There are many types of structures that can get you a high score. These are just some I think are effective and easy to learn.

Please visit the lessons below for more detailed guidance on each type of question. I have provided a link at the end of each section.

Opinion Questions (Agree or Disagree)

Typical Question Words –

What is your opinion?

Do you agree or disagree?

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Direct question.

Example Question –

Some people believe that unpaid community service should be compulsory in high school programmes (for example, working for a charity, improving the neighbourhood or teaching sports to younger children).

Essay Structure

Introduction

1- Paraphrase Question

2- Give your opinion and outline the main ideas.

Main Body Paragraph 1

1- Topic Sentence

2- Explain Topic Sentence

Main Body Paragraph 2

Conclusion

1- Summary of main points and opinion

Student Sample Answer

It is argued that volunteering should be made part of the school curriculum. This essay agrees with that suggestion completely because it help pupils develop soft skills and helps them gain much-needed work experience.

Education should not be limited to strictly academic pursuits, and those in education should also develop life skills, such as teamwork, empathy and self-discipline, and one of the best ways to hone these aptitudes is through community service. Serving those less fortunate than ourselves teaches us many lessons, including how to work with people from other backgrounds and the value of hard work, thus enabling us to hone these skills before becoming an adult. For example, many young people from wealthier countries take a gap year and help those less fortunate than themselves to increase their gratitude for what they have and improve their work ethic.

Many colleges and companies are also increasingly looking for this type of experience. Most school leavers have the same grades, and charitable work can help set you apart from other students when making college applications. For example, Cambridge and Oxford receive thousands of applications from straight-A students yearly and can only accept a small percentage of applicants. What you have done outside the classroom often differentiates you from everyone else and gets you that coveted spot.

In conclusion, teenagers should be made to partake in unpaid work as part of their schooling because it will help them learn things they wouldn’t ordinarily learn from their teachers, and it will also boost their chances of getting into third-level education.

For more detail on how to answer agree or disagree questions, please visit our opinion essay lesson .

Need help writing essays like this? Check out our ESSAY CORRECTION SERVICE .

Advantages and Disadvantages Questions

Typical Question Words

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Example Question

Technology is being used more and more in education.

Essay Structure

2- Outline Main Points

Main Body Paragraph 1

1- State Two Advantages

2- Expand/Explain First Advantage

3- Expand/Explain Second Advantage

1- State Two Disadvantages

2- Expand/Explain First Disadvantage

3- Expand/Explain Second Disadvantage

1- Summary of Main Points

Student Sample Answer

It is argued that technology plays an ever-increasing role in schools and universities. Increased access to information and student freedom are the main advantages, whereas dependency on technology and decreasing levels of face-to-face contact are the main disadvantages.

Access to more information and student autonomy are the principal advantages of increasing the use of electronic devices in education. With the internet, students can access all the information available about any topic, regardless of what books and other resources are available in the school. Furthermore, students can focus on whatever topic or subject they want and study it in depth. A prime example of this is the number of online university courses available to students, covering a myriad of subjects that, up until recently, were unavailable to most learners. This has resulted in more people studying third-level degrees than ever before at a pace and schedule that suits them.

The main disadvantages associated with the increasing use of technology in education are the dependency on this technology and the decrease in face-to-face interaction between students. With many students now using the internet as their primary source of information, they often struggle to use other academic resources to find what they’re looking for. As well as this, students spend more time looking at computer screens by themselves than interacting with each other, which is thought to lead to lower levels of emotional intelligence. For instance, the recent explosion in smartphone use has been at the expense of genuine human interaction. This results in soft skills, such as verbal communication and empathy, being affected.

In conclusion, the benefits technology brings to education, such as unrestricted access to information and student autonomy, must be weighed against the drawbacks, such as dependency on this technology and the negative effects on human interaction.

For more detail on how to answer advantage and disadvantage questions, please visit our advantage and disadvantage lesson .

Discuss Both Views Question (Discussion Essay)

Discuss both points of view and give your opinion.

Example Question

Technology is being used more and more in education. Some people say that this is a positive trend, while others argue that it is leading to negative consequences.

Discuss both sides of this argument and then give your own opinion.

1- Paraphrase Question and/or state both viewpoints.

2- Thesis Statement

3- Outline Sentence

1- State first viewpoint

2- Discuss first viewpoint

3- Reason why you agree or disagree with viewpoint

4- Example to support your view

1- State second viewpoint

2- Discuss second viewpoint

Sentence 1- Summary

Sentence 2- State which one is better or more important

There is an ever-increasing use of technology, such as tablets and laptops, in the classroom. It is often argued that this is a positive development, whilst others disagree and think it will lead to adverse ramifications. This essay agrees that an increase in technology is beneficial to students and teachers.

The Internet has provided students with access to more information than ever before. This has allowed learners to research and learn about any subject at the touch of a button. It is therefore agreed that technology is a very worthwhile tool for education. Wikipedia is a prime example, where students can type in any keyword and gain access to in-depth knowledge quickly and easily.

However, many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human interaction. Human interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse, debate and empathy. Without these soft skills, many people find it difficult to become successful in work and their personal lives. Despite this, human interaction is still possible through the internet, and this essay disagrees that technology should be dismissed for this reason. For instance, Skype and Facebook allow people to interact in ways that were never before possible.

While the benefits of technology, particularly the internet, allow students to tap into limitless sources of information, some still feel that people should be wary of this new phenomenon and not allow it to curb face-to-face interaction. However, as long as we carefully consider the importance of human interaction in education, the educational benefits are clearly positive.

For more detail on how to answer discussion questions please visit our discussion essay lesson .

Problem and Solution Questions

Problem and solution.

Cause and solution.

Students are becoming more and more reliant on technology.

What are some of the problems associated with reliance on computers, and what are some of the possible solutions?

2- Outline Sentence

1- State Problems

2- Explain First Problem

3- Explain Second Problem

4- Example of Second Problem

1- State Solutions

2- Explain First Solution

3- Explain Second Solution

4- Example of Second Solution

Learners are becoming increasingly dependent on technology, such as the Internet and mobile devices. This essay believes the main problems associated with dependence on computers are the lack of original thought and copying original work from others and suggests critical thinking classes and writing analysis software as the most viable solutions.

The principal problems with over-reliance on technology are people being unable to think for themselves and plagiarism. With access to so much information, students often rely on other people’s opinions instead of forming their own. As well as this, they often use search engines to answer a question and copy the text from a website rather than thinking about the question. This practice is prohibited in schools and universities and stunts students’ intellectual development because they will never truly think for themselves, which is what university is supposed to be for. For example, many teachers complain that students copy web pages straight from Wikipedia word for word rather than giving a reasoned answer to their questions.

Solutions to these worrying problems are special classes to focus on critical thinking and teachers using anti-plagiarism software to detect copying. If teachers create situations where students have to infer meaning and express opinions based on a small amount of information, this will ensure that students have an opportunity to develop these skills. Also, if students know that their assignments are being checked for plagiarism, this will be enough to deter them from doing so. For instance, many universities already use this kind of software to scan coursework for plagiarism, and it could be extended to include all homework by learners in both secondary and tertiary education.

In conclusion, the main problems with the overuse of technology in education are the lack of original thought and plagiarism. These can be solved through special classes that teach students analytical skills and plagiarism detection software.

For more detail on how to answer problem and solution questions please visit our problem and solution lesson .

Two-Part Questions

There will normally be a statement, and they will then ask you to answer separate questions.

As most people spend a major part of their adult life at work, job satisfaction is an important element of individual wellbeing.

What factor contributes to job satisfaction?

How realistic is the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers?

2- Outline Sentence (mention both questions)

1- Answer first question directly

2- Explain why

3- Further explain

1- Answer second question directly

As most adults spend most of their time at work, being content with your career is a crucial part of a person’s health and happiness. This essay will first suggest fair pay as a key element leading to job satisfaction, and it will then state that it is not very likely that everyone can be happy with their job.

The most important thing that satisfies someone at work is being compensated fairly. If those more senior than you respect you as a person and the job you are doing, then you feel like you are valued. A fair salary and benefits are important marks of respect, and if you feel you are being underpaid, you will either resent your bosses or look for another job. These two factors came top of a recent job satisfaction survey conducted by Monster.com, which found that 72% of people were pleased with their current role if their superiors regularly told them they were appreciated.

With regard to the question of happiness for all workers, I think this is and always will be highly unlikely. The vast majority of people fail to reach their goals and end up working in a post they don’t really care about in return for a salary. This money is just enough to pay their living expenses which often means they are trapped in a cycle of disenchantment. For example, The Times recently reported that 89% of office workers would leave their jobs if they did not need the money.

In conclusion, being satisfied with your trade or profession is an important part of one’s well-being, and respect from one’s colleagues and fair pay can improve your level of happiness; however, job satisfaction for all workers is an unrealistic prospect.

Can I get a band 8 or 9 following these structures?

Nobody can give you a Task 2 IELTS structure that guarantees high scores. Your score is dependent on how good your grammar and vocabulary are and how well you answer the question. A good structure will help you answer the question to some extent and boost your score for coherence and cohesion, but you must use relevant ideas and use these ideas well to answer the question.

You can see how my student scored a Band 8.5 in IELTS Writing here:

Next Steps

We hope you found those IELTS Writing Task 2 structures useful. Looking for some more sample questions? Here are over 100 sample questions from past exam papers.

If you would personalised feedback and guidance until you get the score you need, you can join the Waiting List for my VIP Course here.

About Christopher Pell

My name is Christopher Pell and I'm the Managing Director of IELTS Advantage.

I started IELTS Advantage as a simple blog to help 16 students in my class. Several years later, I am very humbled that my VIP Course has been able to help thousands of people around the world to score a Band 7+ in their IELTS tests.

If you need my help with your IELTS preparation, you can send me an email using the contact us page.

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35 Sample Band 9 IELTS Essays

Take a look at these 35 sample Band 9 IELTS essays for writing task 2 of the IELTS exam . Task 2 can cover a wide range of essay topics for the IELTS writing task section of the test, so preparation is key. Use the following samples when preparing your IELTS essays to see how close you are to a band 9!

These IELTS band 9 essay samples will help you highlight your mistakes and improve your writing band 9 level.

See the below IELTS essay writing sample questions and answers to practice for your IELTS writing task 2 .

You will find the IELTS essay questions and answers categorised by the following essay types.

Do you agree/disagree
Discuss both views and give your opinion
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages
Discuss the problems and possible solutions
Is this a positive or a negative development

For a FREE ebook of our top 10 IELTS Band 9 essay samples in PDF, click here!

1. agree or disagree .

Some people believe that technology has made man more social. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Some people think that a person improves their intellectual skills more when doing group activities. To what extent do you agree? Use specific details and examples to explain your view.
In some countries, the number of shootings increase because many people have guns at home. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Some people believe that international sporting events are the ideal opportunity to show the world the qualities of the hosting nation. Others believe that these events are mainly a large unjustifiable expense. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Crime is a big problem in the world; many believe that nothing can be done to prevent it. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give your own opinion.
Doing an enjoyable activity with a child can develop better skills and more creativity than reading. To what extent do you agree? Use reasons and specific examples to explain your answer.
Improvements in health, education and trade are essential for the development of poorer nations. However, the governments of richer nations should take more responsibility for helping the poorer nations in such areas. To what extent do you agree?
Advances in health and biology and other areas of society in the last 100 years have transformed the way we live as well as postponing the day we die. There is no better time to be alive than now. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
The world is consuming natural resources faster than they can be renewed. Therefore, it is important that products are made to last. Governments should discourage people from constantly buying more up-to-date or fashionable products. To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Some people believe that children’s leisure activities must be educational, otherwise, they are a complete waste of time. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your experience.
Many governments in the world spend large amounts of money on art, which helps to improve the quality of people’s lives. However, governments should spend money on other things rather than art. Do you agree or disagree? Give your opinion.

2. Discuss both views and give your point of view?

NEW SEPTEMBER 2022: Some people believe that professionals such as doctors and engineers should be required to work in the country where they did their training. Others believe they should be free to work in another country if they wish. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Nowadays most green energy is becoming evermore prevalent in both developed and developing countries. Some argue they greatly reduce costs and are better for the environment, others believe they are a serious threat to energy security. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Some people are of the opinion that children should be rewarded for good behaviour. Others think they should be punished for bad behaviour. Discuss both views and give your personal opinion and reasons.
Some people think that keeping pets is good for children while others think it is dangerous and unhealthy. Which opinion do you agree with? Discuss both options and give examples .
Some people think that secondary school children should study international news as one of the school subjects. Other people think that it is a waste of valuable school time. What do you think? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Some products can be made quickly by a machine. Other items take a long time to be made by hand. As a buyer, which do you prefer and why? Give specific details and examples in your answer.
Some people think women should be given equal chances to work and excel in their careers. Others believe that a woman’s role should be limited to taking care of the house and children. Which opinion do you agree with and why? Include specific details and examples to support your choice.
Most schools are planning to replace sports and exercise classes with more academic sessions. How will this change affect children’s lives in your view?
Some people think that schools have to be more entertaining, while others think that their sole purpose is to educate. Which do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
Some people think that it is acceptable to use animals in medical research for the benefit of human beings, while other people argue that it is wrong.
Should humans adapt to technology or should technology be adapted to us? Is technology making us intellectually weaker or more intelligent?
Do copyright laws limit creativity or reward it? Would society function better without such rules and regulations?
Should education and healthcare be free of charge and funded by the government, or should it be the responsibility of the people to pay for these services? Discuss the above and give your opinion using examples.

3. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages

Is it good for children to start using computers from an early age and spend long hours on them? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
Some people think high school graduates should travel or work for a period of time instead of going directly to study at university. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

4. Two questions, for example: Why is this happening? Is this a positive or negative development?

These days some people spend a lot of money on tickets to go to sporting or events. Do you think this is a positive or negative development ?
Some people like to travel outside their country. Others would rather travel to tourist spots in their own country first, before travelling abroad. Which do you prefer to do and why? Include specific details and examples to support your choice.
Women can do everything that men can and they even do it better. They also can do many things that men cannot. But it is a fact that their work is not appreciated as much as men’s, although they have to sacrifice a lot for their family and career… It is said: “A woman’s place is in the home.” What do you think?

5. Discuss the problems and possible solutions OR discuss the causes and what problems it causes?

People are using a lot of online language translation apps. Do the benefits of this outweigh the disadvantages?
Obesity is a serious problem in many countries, especially in rich countries. Discuss ways to solve the problem. Provide specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Today, the quality of life in large cities is decreasing. Discuss the causes and solutions.
Research shows that global warming is caused by human activity. What are the possible effects of climate change and what can governments and individuals do to reduce these?
In many countries, recently young single people have been living far from their parents, from the time they began studies or work and until they married. Do you think there are more advantages or disadvantages to this trend?
Traditional schooling is out of date, boring and stifles a child’s natural talents, various professionals have pushed for an education revolution. Are there alternatives in the education system? Is traditional education doing more harm than good?

Take a look at some of our writing tasks to help you prepare for your IELTS exam , and if you need more help, we have a course that is guaranteed to help you pass IELTS. Practicing IELTS writing task 2 essays is very important for your exam preparation.

Video: IELTS Band 9 Writing Sample – Body Paragraphs

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Enhance Your Essays with Our Efficient Online IELTS Essay Checker

Practicing for IELTS Writing Task 2? You’re in the right place. But after you practice, how can you know if your essay is good? We have a tool to help! It’s called the online IELTS essay checker .

You can find it here . This tool is very easy to use. You write your essay, and our tool checks it. It tells you what mistakes you made and how to fix them. This means you can learn and get better faster. The best part? You save money.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How to score band 9 in ielts writing.

You can score band 9 in IELTS writing by following these steps:

Make sure you understand the question and answer what is being asked.
Plan out your essay before you start writing
Write your essay, review it and then “rewrite” it .
Get feedback on your essays and find out where you may be losing points.
Improve your language skills.

Read this post for more tips.

How do you write a 9 band essay?

Practice each essay type and be clear about the criteria for a perfect score. Basically, you need clear formal paragraphing, an essay that ‘flows’ logically and stays focused on the question, which is answered fully with high-level vocabulary and near-perfect grammar.

How can I get 9 in IELTS writing?

Look at model answers and memorize phrases that work for most essays – ‘In the modern world’ is a great way to start. A focus on global issues and international examples rounds out your answer and practice timed essays before the test.

Can you get 10 in IELTS?

No, the top band score is a 9. Be realistic though, some of the best universities in the world require a band 7 or 7.5 for their most challenging courses so a perfect score isn’t necessary in most situations.

How to write an IELTS opinion essay

Ielts opinion essay: structure, model answer, and analysis..

Updated: February 2023

There are 5 types of essays in IELTS writing task 2 and a common one is an opinion essay.

So how do you know if it is an opinion essay?. You will first need to study the instruction words. These words tell you what you should write about and this should be the first step to take before you even begin to plan. Analyse the task and especially the instruction words so you do not go off-topic or write a different essay altogether.

Here are 2 essay tasks below, which one do you think is the opinion essay?

1. Most people agree that money cannot buy happiness. Why is happiness difficult to define? How can people achieve happiness? 2. Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Looking at the instruction words we can see that the second one is an opinion essay as it asks ‘ To what extent do you agree or disagree? ‘

The first task is called a ‘Two-part question essay’ or sometimes called a ‘Direct question essay’.

Instruction words

Opinion essays will have various instruction words such as:

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Do you agree or disagree?

What is your opinion?

Do you think…?

What do you think….?

In your opinion what is ….?

In some cases the instruction words ask your opinion it may be a discussion essay such as:

‘Discuss both views and give your own opinion’

The structure of a discussion essay is different from an opinion essay as you will need to explain peoples views before you go into your own opinion.

This task below is a 2 part question essay and the second question asks your opinion.

Most people agree that money cannot buy happiness. Why is happiness difficult to define? How can people achieve happiness?

The opinion essay that I am referring to asks ‘ To what extent do you agree or disagree?’ means how much do you agree/disagree? , do you completely agree/disagree? or somewhat agree/disagree? or do you neither agree nor disagree?

You can write in your thesis statement something like: ‘ I completely agree because…..’ or if you don’t agree, something like: ‘ I absolutely disagree because…..’

What is an effective opinion essay structure?

There is no magic Band 9 structure but my students have found that the structure below works well in an opinion essay.

Tips on structure:

The main body paragraphs will cover the reasons for your opinion; however, do not list ideas just use one central idea and explain and support it.
Don’t wait until the conclusion to give your opinion. It must be throughout the whole essay .
Don’t give 2 different opinions. Do not agree then disagree as it will confuse the examiner. You can balance it with why someone would hold an opposing view but it is not a discussion essay.
I advise keeping the introduction under 60 words , each body paragraph should be approximately 90 to 105 words , the conclusion needs to be shorter than the introduction and no new ideas should be added to the conclusion
Aim for between 270 to 295 words , over 300 words is not realistic as you only have 40 minutes to write the essay .

Which body paragraph is better?

Take a look at these 2 main body one paragraphs to the task below, what do you think will score higher?

Task question:

Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices . To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

A long time ago people used to go to market places and they bought basic daily necessities, now people can buy online and go to many high street shops. In addition, we can choose any hotel we like at cheap prices. Also, businesses compete with each other which means customers can buy items at low cost as well as a bigger selection of goods. Furthermore, the economy benefits because people can select from so many different products. For example, Amazon.com has millions of products that are much cheaper than buying at a shopping mall.

Admittedly, these days there are far too many choices which can be overwhelming; however, I think that for consumers this is an advantage because it forces businesses to compete with each other. This means that shoppers can benefit greatly from lower prices. For example, over the past two decades, Ryanair and EasyJet budget airlines have considerably reduced the cost of airfares for flights all over Europe. Before this, there was only one airline to choose from at exorbitant costs. Presently, many more budget airline options are serving destinations worldwide with incredible bargains for customers.

Click below for the answer.

The 2nd example is better because I wrote one central idea (lower prices for consumers) and expanded on that. The example given is not entirely true but it looks very feasible. You can just make up examples but they have to be specific and realistic looking. The point of an example is to support your main idea.

At the start of the paragraph I mentioned that too much choice is overwhelming but then contrast that with my opinion (Admittedly, these days there are far too many choices which can be overwhelming; however, I think that…) .

To see how to balance the essay click here for a lesson on balancing your opinion .

In example 1 above this has too many ideas and too many points. It jumps around and is not focusing on one central idea. The points are relevant but there is too much going on.

You will also notice an opinion is not given directly in the first example (I think / I believe etc) the whole paragraph affects coherence and cohesion as well as task response. The example given about amazon.com is also quite weak and not well explained.

Analysing the question.

As with all IELTS essays, it is crucial to spend a couple of minutes analysing the task and underling the keywords so that you are writing relevant points in the essay. If you go off-topic or write irrelevant points it will affect your score.

This is the task question for my model answer below and it is clear that the essay is about having too many choices these days . This means that there is something negative about having many choices, as the word ‘too’ implies something negative. In my model answer, I disagree with this being a negative and in fact, many choices are beneficial.

Click here for the 5 steps you need to take before writing.

I advise 10 minutes of planning time, this includes time analysing the question and getting relevant ideas.

Click here for a lesson about examples in main body paragraphs.

Model Answer

Some people believe that n owadays we have too many choices . To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

It is argued that in recent times people are overwhelmed by so many choices. Although I agree with this to some extent, for consumers I believe that having so many options enables them to purchase more competitively priced and higher quality products.

Another reason why I believe that more choice is beneficial is that the quality of products has improved in recent years. This is because many businesses are vying for customers’ attention, so their main selling points are not only low prices but also much higher quality. For instance, smartphone costs have decreased in the past 5 years and these devices are more powerful and more durable than ever before. This is primarily because manufacturers have focused on quality control to compete with rival products. I would argue that this has been a benefit to consumers which would not have been possible with one or two companies monopolising the smartphone market.

To conclude, despite the argument that there is too much freedom of choice nowadays, I hold the view that this is a positive trend as so many options allows customers to buy inexpensive items without compromising on quality.

Click below to see more detail and an analysis

1. My thesis statement says: Although I agree with this to some extent, for consumers I believe that having so many options enables them to purchase more competitively priced and higher quality products.

I am giving a balanced opinion here and focusing specifically on choice for consumers.

2. I have covered the points about how more choices have resulted in lower prices in main body one, while in main body two I cover the point about higher quality products because of the fact there are more choices. Notice how I have balanced my view: Admittedly, these days there are far too many choices which can be overwhelming; however, I think that for consumers this is an advantage because it forces businesses to compete with each other. .

3. The examples I gave are made up and not entirely true but they look realistic, the examiner does not check your examples for validity. Examples are there to support your main ideas. Do not put statistics in the examples either.

4. The points I have made in the essay connect with consumerism and shopping, but I have linked them to the points about how having many choices are of benefit to customers or consumers , because my opinion is that having many choices is a good aspect

5. In this type of essay, you could write about other areas where having many choices are relevant such as the choices of universities we can attend, the choices of work we might engage in, The choice of health care options available….and so on.

Here is a good news article from ‘ Business Insider’ that connects with this task question. Reading is a very good way to get ideas for IELTS essays.

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Types of Essays in IELTS Writing Task 2

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Updated on 27 January, 2024

Akansha Semwal

Study abroad expert.

IELTS Writing Task 2 in both the IELTS Academic and General Training is a compulsory section with one essay writing question. The essay topics could be of any general interest based on environmental problems, improving educational activities for children, if smoking in public places should be banned, who should take financial care of old people, and many more.

The section evaluates your English writing proficiency based on your ability to respond by giving and justifying an opinion, discussing a topic, summarizing details, outlining problems, identifying possible solutions, and supporting your writing with reasons, arguments, and relevant examples from your knowledge or experience. The word limit for the section is a minimum of 250 words. You are penalized for writing less than 250 words but will not be penalized for crossing the word limit. The task should be completed in 40 minutes.

Ielts academic writing task 2.

Discussion Essay

Multi-Part Essay

Multi-part and opinion essay, advantage and disadvantage essay, positive and negative essay, download e-books for ielts preparation, learn more about study abroad, cause and solution essay, ielts general training writing task 2.

Opinion Essay

Two-Part Questions Essay

Keys tips to prepare for ielts writing task 2, frequently asked questions, download ielts sample papers, important study abroad articles, popular study abroad destinations.

The questions for IELTS Writing Task 2 are fairly general and cover a wide range of topics. While preparing for this section, it becomes important to understand and practice all the types of essays given in the IELTS Task 2. The applicants need to focus and prepare essays on various topics to make it easy to write a winning essay on the examination day. Let’s have a look at different types of essays in IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 and IELTS General Training Writing Task 2.

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A cause and solution essay types give you a question stating a problem. Here, you are expected to mention the causes of a certain situation or event, along with all the solutions or precautions to avoid such problems. You must analyze and interpret the statement to find the causes and then think of unique and competitive ideas that can stop or prevent those problems For instance, pollution has drastically increased with more and more people switching to personal vehicles. What are the other causes of pollution? Discuss the solutions to overcome the problem of pollution.

Follow the below-mentioned essay structure for cause and solution type of essay in IELTS Writing Task 2:

Introduction paraphrasing the problem statement given in the question
Paragraph A mentioning the problem or cause, along with its explanation and supporting example
Paragraph B mentioning the solution, along with its explanation and supporting example
Conclusion mentioning the key points and your opinion

Here are the different types of essays in IELTS General Training Writing Task 2 that will help you understand the pattern and format.

Two-part Questions Essay

The discussion essay type in the IELTS General Writing Task 2 comes with a statement with two opposing view points. It is the same as the discussion essay question of IELTS Academic Writing Task 2. Here too, you need to speak on both sides and finally pen down your opinion. The structure of the discussion essay looks like the following:

Introduction mentioning both the views
Paragraph A with opinions of others on one view
Paragraph B with opinions of others on another view
Conclusion with your personal opinion

Opinion Essay

The opinion essay type question in IELTS General Writing Task 2 comes with a statement where you are expected to provide your opinion on the statement. Your opinion must be based on relevant information, ideas, and experience. The following is the structure of the opinion essay:

Conclusion with your final thought or opinion on the question

The two-part question essay type comes with two questions, and you must answer both questions. In this question, you need to understand what requires your focus before answering it. Your response depends on your understanding of the following three categories of task type:

Cause + effect
Cause + opinion
Cause + solution

Here is the essay structure for constructing a response toward the two-part essay type:

Conclusion mentioning the key points of both the answers

Here are a few tips that will help you answer each type of essay that appears in IELTS Writing Task 2:

Practice reading the English newspaper’s editorial section to gain a good knowledge of vocabulary and grammar.
Practice listening to English news channels daily for a better understanding of topics that need your agreement or disagreement.
Note your keywords while reading the essay questions, and then plan to write your thoughts clearly. This will help in better time management and avoid any confusion.
Practice as many sample papers as your can before attempting the IELTS exam. This will help you gain experience and improve your writing speed and accuracy.
While solving the sample papers, keep a watch and track your time so that you can manage reading, attempting, and revising the question within 40 minutes.

In conclusion, understanding the different types of essays in IELTS Writing Task 2 is crucial for candidates aiming to achieve a high score. Whether it's an argumentative, discussion, problem-solution, or opinion essay, each type demands a specific approach in terms of structure, development of ideas, and argumentation. Success in this task hinges not just on linguistic proficiency but also on the ability to organize and present thoughts coherently, addressing the essay prompt effectively while showcasing a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures. As candidates prepare for their IELTS exam, practicing these various essay types and receiving feedback on their writing can significantly enhance their skills, equipping them to tackle Task 2 with confidence and precision.

Also Reads:

How many types of essays are there in IELTS?

There are five types of essays in IELTS. The different types of essays are: Discussion and Opinion Based Essay, Agree/Disagree Essay, Compare and Contrast Essay, Problem and Solution Essay, and Advantages and Disadvantages Essay.

How many types of essays are in IELTS task 2?

In the IELTS writing task 2, students are asked to write an essay of a minimum of 250 words and should be written in 40 minutes.

The five main types of IELTS Task 2 essays:

Double Question Essay
Problem and Solution Essay
Advantages & Disadvantages Essay

How to write examples in an IELTS essay?

In IELTS writing task is vital to be able to extend ideas to support a student’s viewpoint about a topic. This can be done with supporting points and specific examples. Using examples gives the examiner a clear idea of how a candidate develops the essay's main idea. Stick to one idea in each paragraph and explain it with the topic. The main concept must be relevant and particular to the question asked.

How many types of essays are in IELTS task 1?

IELTS Writing Task 1 is different from the IELTS General test and IELTS Academic Test. In the general test, applicants are presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining a situation. In the academic test, candidates are presented with a graph, table, chart, or diagram and asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in their own words. In IELTS task 1, students are rather asked to write a report than an essay.

How to improve essay writing skills for IELTS?

Here are some tips to improve your essay writing skills for IELTS:

Use your time wisely
Understand the task
Organize your ideas logically
Work on your grammatically range & lexical resource
Learn from your mistakes

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Sample Essays

IELTS Sample Essays

Here you will find IELTS Sample Essays for a variety of common topics that appear in the writing exam.

The model answers all have tips and strategies for how you may approach the question and comments on the sample answer.

You can also view sample essays with band scores on this page.

Looking at IELTS essay topics with answers is a great way to help you to prepare for the test.

These IELTS sample essays have been categorised in a way that makes it easy for you to see how certain essay question types require you to provide certain responses to ensure the question is fully answered.

Specifically these are:

Agree / Disagree
Discuss Two Opinions
Problems and Solutions
Advantages and Disadvantages
Other Types

Agree / Disagree Type Questions

In these types of question you are given one opinion and you then have to state the extent to which you agree or disagree with that opinion:

Advertising
Alternative Medicine
Spending on the Arts
Human Cloning
Social Interaction & the Internet
Airline Tax
Free University Education
Scientific Research
Banning Smoking
Employing Older People
Vegetarianism
Paying Taxes
Examinations or Formal Assessment
Multinational Organisations and Culture
Internet vs Newspapers
Technology Development
Dying of Languages
Animal Extinction
Truth in Relationships
Role of Schools
Return of Historical Artefacts

Discuss Two Opinions Type Questions

In this essay question type you are given two opinions, and you have to discuss both of these and then give your own view:

University Education
Reducing Crime
Animal Rights
Child Development
Diet & Health
Donating Money to Charity
Closing Zoos
Becoming Independent
Formal and Informal Education
Influence of Scientists and Politicians
Sources for Stories
Searching for Extraterrestrial Life

Cause Type Questions

There are a variety of 'cause type' essay questions. In these you first have to give the reasons why something has happened, in other words the causes, but then discuss a different aspect of it, such as the effects, solutions or the extent to whether it is a positive or negative development:

Causes & Effects:

Child Obesity
Skin Whitening Creams
Family Size
Having Children Later in Life
Time Away from Family

Causes and Solutions:

Youth Crime
Global Warming
Paying Attention in Class
International Travel & Prejudice
Museums & Historical Places
Disappearance of Traditions
Communication Between Generations

Causes, Pros & Cons:

Family Closeness
Living Alone
Rural to Urban Migration

Problems & Solutions Type Questions

In these type of questions, instead of discussing the causes of a problem, you need to discuss the problems related to a particular issue in society, and then suggest what can be to solve these problems:

Overpopulation
Competing for Jobs
Professionals Immigrating

Advantage & Disadvantages Type Questions

In these type of questions you are asked to discuss the positive and negative sides of a particular topic. You will usually be asked this in the context of giving an opinion ( e.g. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? Is it a positive or negative development? ):

Traffic Problems
Food Additives
Computer Games
Age Discrimination at Work
Children using Tablets and Computers
Cell Phones, Internet, & Communication
Working from Home
Eating Locally grown Produce
Oil and Gas Essay
Peer Pressure on Young People
Online Fraud
Decreasing House Sizes

'Hybrid' Types of Essay Question

There are sometimes questions that don't fit easily into a particular category as above. I've called these 'hybrid', as they are of mixed character, are composed of different elements from other types of essay, or are perhaps just worded differently.

Protecting Old Buildings
Animal Testing
Fear of Crime
Communication Technology
Influence of Children's Friends

Sample Essays with Band Scores

You can also view some sample essays that have been written by candidates practising for the test and have band scores and comments by an experienced ex-IELTS Examiner based on the IELTS marking criteria.

IELTS Band 8 Essay Samples
IELTS Band 7 Essay Samples
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Student Sample Essays

For more IELTS essay topics with answers you can also view essays that have been written by students. Some have feedback from other students or IELTS teachers:

Student Model Essays (with comments by other students)
Student Model Essays (with comments by IELTS buddy)

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Types of Essays

In IELTS Writing Task 2 (both General and Academic), there are 5 different types of essays you may be asked to write:

Discussion essay (Discuss both views essay)
Agree/disagree essay (Opinion essay)
Advantage/disadvantage essay
Problem/solution essay
Two-part question essay (Direct question essay)

Note that no matter what type of IELTS essay you are asked to write, you need to make sure you fully follow the instructions and write at least 250 words.

IELTS Discussion Essay Questions

IELTS discussion essay asks you to “Discuss both views/sides and give your opinion”.

For example:

Some people think that wild animals should not be kept in zoos. Others believe that there are good reasons for having zoos.

Discuss both these views and give your opinion.

IELTS Agree/Disagree Essay Questions

IELTS agree/disagree essay, also known as opinion essay, asks you “Do what extent do you agree?”, “Do you agree or disagree?”, “What is your opinion?”.

Medical procedures for cosmetic purposes should not be allowed.

Do you agree or disagree?

IELTS Advantage/Disadvantage Essay Questions

IELTS advantage/disadvantage essay asks you “What are the advantages of this?”, “Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?”.

Today more and more tourists are visiting places where conditions are difficult, such as the Sahara desert or the Antarctic.

What are the benefits and disadvantages for tourists who visit such places?

See also: Advantage/Disadvantage Essay Sample

IELTS Problem/Solution Essay Questions

IELTS problem/solution essay asks you “What can be done about this problem?”, “How could this situation be improved?”.

Even though doctors all over the world agree the fast food is bad for people’s health, more and more people are eating it.

Why are more people eating fast food?

What can be done about this problem?

IELTS Two-part Question Essay Questions

IELTS two-part question essay, also known as direct question essay, asks you to write in response to two or more direct questions.

Millions of people every year move to English speaking countries such as Australia, Britain or America, in order to study at school, college or university.

Why do so many people want to study English?

Why is English such an important international language?

See also: Two-part Question Essay Sample

writing task 2

100 IELTS Essay Questions

Below are practice IELTS essay questions and topics for writing task 2. The 100 essay questions have been used many times over the years. The questions are organised under common topics and essay types. IELTS often use the similar topics for their essays but change the wording of the essay question.

In order to prepare well for writing task 2, you should prepare ideas for common topics and then practise applying them to the tasks given (to the essay questions). Also see model essays and tips for writing task 2.

Below you will find:

Essay Questions By Topic
Essay Questions by Essay Type

Please also note that my new Grammar E-book is now available in my store along with my Ideas for Essay Topics E-book and Advanced Writing Lessons. To visit store, click here: Liz’s Store

1) Common IELTS Essay Questions

IELTS practice essay questions divided by topic. These topics have been reported by IELTS students in their tests. Essay questions have been recreated as accurately as possible.

Art (5 essay questions)
Business & Money (17 essay questions)
Communication & Personality (20 essay questions)
Crime & Punishment (12 essay questions)
Education (17 essay questions)
Environment (12 essay questions)
Family & Children (8 essay questions)
Food & Diet (13 essay questions)
Government (6 essay questions)
Health (9 essay questions)
Housing, Buildings & Urban Planning (8 essay questions)
Language (6 essay questions)
Leisure (1 essay question)
Media & Advertising (12 essay questions)
Reading (5 essay questions)
Society (10 essay questions)
Space Exploration (3 questions)
Sport & Exercise (6 essay questions)
Technology (6 essay questions)
Tourism and Travel (11 essay questions)
Transport (7 essay questions)
Work (17 essay questions)

2) IELTS Essay Questions by Essay Type

There are 5 main types of essay questions in IELTS writing task 2 (opinion essays, discussion essay, advantage/disadvantage essays, solution essay and direct question essays). Click on the links below to see some sample essay questions for each type.

Opinion Essay Questions
Discussion Essay Questions
Solution Essay Questions
Direct Questions Essay Titles
Advantage / Disadvantage Essay Questions

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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Types

Posted by David S. Wills | Nov 29, 2021 | IELTS Tips , Writing | 0

For IELTS writing, you will have to do two different tasks, called task 1 and task 2. For task 1, you are required to describe one of 7 different types of visual data:

A combination of the above
Process diagram

In this article, we will look at what you would be required to do for those different task 1 types.

Understanding IELTS Writing Task 1

First of all, before we look in detail at any of the above types of data, it is important that we understand what the purpose of IELTS writing task 1 is. I think people normally overlook this, which causes them to make a range of mistakes.

Basically, this part of the exam tests your ability to convey specific information based upon something that you can see. For that reason, you are given different types of visual data to describe.

You can see from the above selection that there are 7 different types of data. Line graphs, bar charts, pie charts, and tables are all relatively similar, requiring you to comprehend and then explain numbers and trends. However, process diagrams and maps are quite different, requiring you to sequence information or explain layouts and describe changes over time.

Importantly, you are not required to talk about your opinion or give any general knowledge. That is something you may have to do for task 2. This is important to know because understanding task 1 puts you in a good position to succeed at it.

Now, let’s look at the different IELTS writing task 1 types.

1. Line Graphs

Probably the most common type of IELTS writing task 1 data is a line graph. As a result, many textbooks, teachers, courses, and classes focus on teaching this above all else, and so most IELTS candidates feel more confident when presented with a line graph than any other kind of data.

However, you should not be complacent. It carries its own challenges and can be difficult to describe. The important thing is to identify the key idea, then recognise and compare (if appropriate) the most important parts.

Most notably, line graphs show changes over time . You can use language like “increase,” “decrease,” “rise, “fall,” and so on to show how values change as time progresses.

Here is a video about IELTS line graphs:

And here are some useful links:

How to Describe Line Graphs
Sample Line Graph Description
The Most Difficult IELTS Line Graph

2. Bar Charts

Perhaps the next most common type of IELTS writing task 1 question asks you to describe a bar chart. This is not the same as describing a line graph, yet many people make the mistake of tackling it in the same way.

Notably, bar charts quite often do not show changes over time and could indicate different values within one month or year. Thus, you must be careful to avoid using inappropriate language when describing these.

As with line graphs, you should look for the highest and lowest values, comparing big differences and focusing on the most significant parts rather than describing all data points.

How to Describe a Bar Chart
Sample Answer #1
Sample Answer #2

3. Pie Charts

These are also quite common in IELTS writing task one. Sometimes you will be given two or more pie charts to compare and sometimes you will be given a pie chart and another kind of data, like a table. The important thing is to figure out what the pie chart reflects, what its values mean, and then convey this accurately to your reader.

Pie charts are often very simple to understand because of the easy way that they convey data. However, they also can be extremely challenging. I have seen some that are quite hard to understand and very hard to describe with any degree of accuracy.

Remember that pie charts are almost always presented as percentages . This is because the whole pie chart adds up to 100%. Approach these carefully by taking a reasonable amount of time to analyse the chart before describing it.

How to Describe Pie Charts

Tables often look simple but pose hidden challenges. For one thing, most IELTS task 1 tables contain far more information than other kinds of chart, so it is tempting to include more figures in your description. However, keep in mind that this is an English test so you should not cram your essay full of numbers.

As tables are also not a visual medium of conveying ideas, they can require you to think a lot more to draw comparisons. Whereas a bar chart will be easy in terms of finding the highest and lowest value, it is possible to overlook these in a table.

How to Describe Tables

5. Combinations

It is important to note that you will not always be given a line graph, bar chart, pie chart, or table. In fact, these could appear in any combination. The most common ones that I have seen are tables mixed with pie charts.

This sort of task can be daunting. Where do you begin in describing such mixed data? Well, it totally depends upon the information that you are given. There is no set formula and you will have to think carefully and make choices when it comes to grouping information and creating a task 1 structure.

Sometimes you will need to bring all the information together, but sometimes it is quite clear that the table, for example, should be described as one set of data and the pie chart for another. This will require careful consideration.

Here is an example:

6. Process Diagrams

The next type of task 1 question is a process diagram, which you may also see called a flow chart. I don’t call them “flow charts” because often that is an inaccurate description, although sometimes they are actually flow charts.

Anyway, this will basically be a visual depiction of some sort of process and you will need to describe it. This will be quite different from describing any kind of chart for a few reasons:

You will not really select things because you will need to describe everything.
Passive voice is important here to reflect the fact that we don’t know who or what is doing the actions.
There is no set language here. The vocabulary will depend 100% on the images shown.

For these reasons and more, many IELTS candidates fear process diagrams, but honestly they are easier to do than line graphs and bar charts. The supposedly difficult vocabulary is almost always given to you in the images and you just have to turn it from a noun into a verb, then convert it into passive voice.

How to Describe a Process Diagram
3 Ways to Prepare for Process Diagrams
2 Sample Answers

Finally, we come to perhaps the most feared part of IELTS writing task 1 – describing maps! Many people hate this because it requires perhaps the greatest flexibility in English skill. You cannot just say “X increases” or “There was a change in X.”

For maps, we need to have a pretty good vocabulary, as well as highly accurate verb tenses. This latter part is because IELTS maps typically come in pairs, with each map showing a different point in time. If you make a verb tense error, you will convey the wrong meaning.

However, with a little practice, it is actually not that difficult to prepare to describe maps. Fundamentally, there will be nothing outrageously difficult to do here and you just need to provide a coherent description that clearly gives an overview of each map with some important changes highlighted.

How to Describe Maps
Advice on Describing Locations
A Very Difficult Map (video)

For IELTS writing task 1, there are 7 different types of question that you could be given. Whilst some are more common than others, you should be prepared to answer all of them because any of them could be given to you. Do not panic if you see a map or process diagram because, despite what some people say, they are not necessarily more difficult than the others.

Remember the purpose of this part of the test: to ensure that you can give clear descriptions of something that is presented in front of you. You are not being asked to do anything more than that, and it is important to keep that task at the forefront of your mind if you want to succeed.

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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Types of essays to expect in your IELTS Writing Task 2

Preparing for IELTS Writing? Read this article on the different types of essays you are likely to encounter in your IELTS Writing Task 2.

Content Tags

What is asked in ielts writing task 2.

In Task 2 of the IELTS Writing test, you are asked to write an essay of at least 250 words in both the Academic and General Training modules. However, should you use the same approach to all essay questions? The answer to this question is ‘ no ’ as there is more than one question type to consider when writing your answer.

The task instructions give you information about the question telling you how to discuss the topic in your essay. You may be asked to provide factual information, outline and present solutions, justify an opinion or evaluate evidence and ideas. It's important to understand what the task requires from you because you may lose marks unnecessarily, even if you have good grammar and vocabulary. Let’s have a look in more detail.

Book IELTS today

Opinion Essay

Here is a sample opinion essay question:

Introduction

IELTS Writing Task 2: How to write a good introduction

Body Paragraphs

Paragraph A

Paragraph A addresses the question, but it does have some issues:

1. There is no topic sentence.

2. There are too many ideas. It is better to have one core idea which is expanded or extended rather than making a list of separate items.

Paragraph B

Paragraph B is better developed than Paragraph A because:

It has a clear central topic (money)

The topic is extended with:

A concession

A consequence

IELTS Writing 2 - how to organise your response

IELTS Writing Task 2: How to write a good conclusion

Discussion Essay

Here is a sample discussion essay.

The main thing to understand in a task like this is that there are 3 parts to the answer:

Discuss both of these views (1st and 2nd part)

and give your own opinion (3rd part)

When it comes to your introduction, it is important to mention both of these views, plus indicating your position can also be a good approach. For example:

Given that the world has become more globalised, the need to be able to use foreign languages has increased. As a result, there are those who believe that a child’s kindergarten years should be when another language is introduced, while the opposing view is that it's ideal to wait for when a youngster reaches adolescence. This essay will reflect on both of these viewpoints before concluding with why the infancy argument is more valid.

When you ‘discuss both of these views in your body paragraphs, make sure you avoid mentioning your personal view. This can avoid any confusion between what you think and what the views of others are. Here are some introductory parts to the body paragraphs when discussing both views:

Looking at the kindergarten perspective firstly, the key reason why some claim this is a beneficial approach is …

With regards to waiting for the teenage years, supporters of this view argue that …

On balance, my personal view is to support the former view because …

Weighing up both sides of the issue, despite the confusion a second language can cause youngsters in their development, I am of the belief that...

IELTS Writing Task 2: 8 steps towards a band 8

Two-part Questions

Another question type you may see in your IELTS Writing test is one where you have two separate prompts you need to answer. Here are a few examples:

These days, many cities have problems when they grow quickly, such as accidents and traffic jams. Why do these problems occur? How do these problems impact people who travel for work or study?

Task Type Sample Question

1. Cause + opinion: A, B or C?

2. Cause + effect: A, B or C?

3. Cause + solution A, B or C?

We can look at these sample questions in more detail now:

Why do these problems occur? = cause

How do these problems impact people who travel for work or study? = effect

Therefore, this matches Type 2.

What problems does this cause for the worker? = effect

What can be done to reduce the impact of these problems? = solution

Therefore, this matches Type 3.

Why are more students choosing this way of learning? = cause

Is this a positive or a negative development? = opinion

Therefore, this matches Type 1.

We hope you found this article useful in helping you better prepare for the different types of essays you are likely to encounter in the IELTS Writing.

Achieve your desired band score in IELTS Writing

IELTS Writing Task 2: How to understand IELTS question prompts

How to paraphrase and boost your IELTS Writing Score

Top 10 tools to improve your written English

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Published on March 10, 2023

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IELTS Academic test format

Every detail you need for each part of your ielts test., jump to section.

You can take the IELTS Academic at a test centre or remotely online. The test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes, and the format is the same wherever it is taken.

Choose the IELTS Academic test if you wish to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, or if you are seeking professional registration, e.g. doctors and nurses. Use the information below to find out more about the different sections of the test.

In IELTS, there are four papers: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The Speaking and Listening tests are the same in both the Academic and the General Training tests, but the Reading and Writing tests are different.

(Please visit our other pages for in-depth guides to the IELTS General Training test or Life Skills test.)

What’s in the IELTS Listening paper?

The paper has four parts, with ten questions in each part. The questions are in the same order as the information in the recording, so the answer to the first question will be before the answer to the second question, and so on.

Parts 1 and 2 deal with everyday, social situations . There is a conversation between two speakers in Part 1 (for example, a conversation about travel arrangements). Only one person speaks in Part 2 (for example, a speech about local facilities).

Parts 3 and 4 deal with educational and training situations . In Part 3 there is a conversation between two main speakers (for example, two university students in discussion, perhaps guided by a tutor). In Part 4 only one person speaks on an academic subject.

You will hear the recordings once only. Different accents, including British, Australian, New Zealand and North American, are used.

You will need to transfer your answers to an answer sheet. You will have 10 minutes at the end of the test to do this. You should be careful when writing your answers on the answer sheet because you will lose marks for incorrect spelling and grammar.

Time allowed: Approximately 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes to transfer your answers to an answer sheet)

Number of parts: 4

Number of questions: 40

Marking: Each correct answer receives 1 mark. Your final score is given as a band score in whole or half bands, e.g. 5.5 or 7.0.

Types of question

Listening question type 1 – multiple choice, what's involved.

This type of question may be a question with three possible answers or the first half of a sentence with three possible sentence endings. You have to choose one correct answer, A, B or C, then write the correct letter on the answer sheet.

Sometimes you are given a longer list of possible answers and you have to choose more than one answer. You should read the question carefully to check how many answers you need to choose.

What skills are tested?

This type of question tests many listening skills, e.g. a detailed understanding of specific points, or general understanding of the main points of the recording.

How many questions are there?

Listening question type 2 – matching.

In this type of question, you have to match a list of items from the recording to a list of options on the question paper, then write the correct letter on the answer sheet.

This type of question tests your ability to:

listen for detailed information. For example, whether you can understand information about the type of hotel or guest house accommodation in an everyday conversation
follow a conversation between two people
recognise how facts in the recording are connected to each other.

Listening Question Type 3 – Plan/map/diagram labelling

In this type of question, you have to complete labels on a visual which may be:

a diagram (e.g. a piece of equipment)
a set of pictures
a plan (e.g. of a building)
a map (e.g. of part of a town).

You may have to:

select your answers from a list on the question paper, then write the correct letter on the answer sheet
select words from the recording which fit into gaps on the question paper. In this case, you will need to keep to the word limit given in the instructions. You do not have to change the words in the recording in any way.

You should read the instructions very carefully as the number of words or numbers you may use to fill the gaps can change. A word limit is given, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER’. You will lose the mark for writing more than the word limit. Contracted words such as ‘they’re’ will not be tested. Hyphenated words such as ‘check-in’ count as single words.

Write the words that fit into the gap on the answer sheet.

This type of question tests your ability to understand, for example, a description of a place, and how this description relates to the visual. It may also test your ability to understand explanations of where things are and follow directions (e.g. straight on/through the far door).

Listening Question Type 4 – Form/note/table/flow chart/summary completion

In this type of question, you have to fill in gaps in an outline of part or all of the recording. The outline will focus on the main ideas/facts in the recording and may be:

a form: often used for facts, such as names
a set of notes: used to summarise information and show how different points relate to one another
a table: used to summarise information that can be divided into clear categories, e.g. place/time/price
a flow chart: used to summarise the stages in a process, with the direction of the process shown by arrows.

This type of question focuses on the main points the person listening would naturally write down.

Listening Question Type 5 – Sentence completion

In this type of question, you have to read sentences that summarise important information from either all of the listening text or from one part of it. You have to fill in a gap in each sentence using information from the recording.

This type of question focuses on your ability to identify the important information in a recording. You may also need to understand relationships between ideas/facts/events, such as cause and effect.

Listening Question Type 6 – Short-answer questions

In this type of question, you have to read a question and write a short answer using information from the recording.

Write your answer on the answer sheet.

Sometimes you are given a question which asks you to write two or three different answers.

This type of question focuses on your ability to listen for facts, such as places, prices or times, heard in the recording.

What’s in the IELTS Academic Reading paper?

Texts come from books, journals, magazines, newspapers and online resources, written for a non-specialist audience. All the topics are of general interest to students at undergraduate or postgraduate level . The texts may be written in different styles, for example, narrative, descriptive or discursive/argumentative. At least one text contains detailed logical argument. Texts may also contain diagrams, graphs or illustrations. If texts use technical vocabulary, then a simple dictionary definition is provided.

You will need to transfer your answers to an answer sheet. You must transfer your answers during the hour you are given for the Reading test. Unlike the Listening test, no extra transfer time is given. You should be careful when writing your answers on the answer sheet because you will lose marks for incorrect spelling and grammar.

Time allowed: 60 minutes (including transfer time)

Number of sections: 3; the total text length is 2150–2750 words

Marking: Each correct answer receives 1 mark. Your final score is given as a band score from 1–9 in whole or half bands, e.g. 4 or 6.5.

Academic Reading Question Type 1 – Multiple choice

This type of question may be a question with four possible answers or the first half of a sentence with four possible sentence endings. You have to choose one correct answer (A, B, C or D), then write the correct answer on the answer sheet.

The questions are in the same order as the information in the text: that is, the answer to the first question will be before the answer to the second question, and so on.

This type of question tests many different reading skills including: detailed understanding of specific points or general understanding of the main points of the text.

Academic Reading Question Type 2 – Identifying information (True/False/Not given)

In this type of question, you are given a number of statements and are asked: ‘Do the following statements agree with the information in the text?’ You have to write ‘True’, ‘False’ or ‘Not given’ in the boxes on your answer sheet. It is important to understand the difference between ‘False’ and ‘Not given’. ‘False’ means that the statement contradicts the information in the text. ‘Not given’ means that the statement neither agrees with nor contradicts the information in the text. You must be careful not to use any information you already know about the topic of the text when choosing your answer.

This type of question tests your ability to recognise specific information given in the text.

Academic Reading Question Type 3 – Identifying writer’s views/claims (Yes/No/Not given)

In this type of question, you are given a number of statements and asked: ‘Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer?’ or ‘Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer?’ You have to write ‘Yes’, ‘No’ or ‘Not given’ in the boxes on your answer sheet. It is important to understand the difference between ‘no’ and ‘not given’. ‘No’ means that the statement contradicts the writer’s view or claim. ‘Not given’ means that the statement neither agrees with nor contradicts the writer’s view or claim. You must be careful not to use any information you already know about the topic of the text when choosing your answer.

This type of question tests your ability to recognise opinions or ideas.

Academic Reading Question Type 4 – Matching information

In this type of question, you have to find specific information in the paragraphs (or sections) of a text. The paragraphs (or sections) are identified by letters (A, B, C, etc.). You will need to write the letters of the correct paragraphs (or sections) in the boxes on your answer sheet. Not every paragraph (or section) may be used and some paragraphs (or sections) may be used more than once. When the paragraphs (or sections) may be used more than once, the instructions will say: ‘You may use any letter more than once’.

This type of question assesses your ability to scan a text in order to find specific information. Unlike Task Type 5 (Matching headings), it focuses on specific information rather than the main idea. You may have to find: specific details, an example, reason, description, comparison, summary or explanation.

Academic Reading Question Type 5 – Matching headings

In this type of question, there is a list of headings which are identified by Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, etc.). A heading summarises the main idea of a paragraph or section of the text. You must match the heading to the correct paragraph or section. The paragraphs (or sections) are identified by letters (A, B, C, etc.). You will need to write the correct Roman numerals in the boxes on your answer sheet. There will always be more headings than paragraphs or sections, so some headings will not be used. It is also possible that some paragraphs or sections may not be included in the task. One or more paragraphs or sections may already be matched with a heading as an example on the question paper. No heading may be used more than once.

This type of question tests your ability to identify the general topic of a paragraph (or section) and to recognise the difference between the main idea and a supporting idea.

Academic Reading Question Type 6 – Matching features

In this type of question, you have to match a set of statements or pieces of information to a list of options. The options are a group of features from the text, and letters (A, B, C, etc.) are used to identify them. Write the correct letter on the answer sheet. You may, for example, have to match descriptions of inventions to the people who invented them. It is possible that some options will not be used, and that others may be used more than once. When it is possible to use any option more than once, the instructions will say: ‘You may use any option more than once’.

This type of question tests your ability to recognise relationships and connections between facts in the text and your ability to recognise opinions and theories. You need to be able to skim and scan the text to find the information quickly so that you can then read that part more carefully for detail.

Academic Reading Question Type 7 – Matching sentence endings

In this type of question, you are given the first half of a sentence based on information in the text and you have to choose the best way to complete the sentence by choosing from a list of possible endings. The endings are identified by letters (A, B, C, etc.). There will be more sentence endings than beginnings, so you will not use all of them. You must write the letter you choose on the answer sheet. The sentence beginnings are in the same order as the information in the text.

This type of question tests your ability to understand the main ideas in the text.

Academic Reading Question Type 8 – Sentence completion

In this type of question, you have to fill in a gap in each sentence by choosing words from the text. You must write the words you choose on the answer sheet.

The questions are in the same order as the information in the text.

This type of question tests your ability to find detail/specific information in a text.

Academic Reading Question Type 9 – Summary/note/table/flow-chart completion

In this type of question, you are given a summary of a part of the text, and have to complete it using words taken from the text. Note that the summary is not normally of the whole text. The summary may be in the form of:

a continuous text (called ‘a summary’ in the instructions)
several notes (called ‘notes’ in the instructions)
a table with some parts of it left empty or partially empty (called ‘a table’ in the instructions)
a series of boxes or steps linked by arrows to show the order of events, with some of the boxes or steps empty or partially empty (called ‘a flow chart’ in the instructions).

The answers may not come in the same order as in the text. However, they will usually come from one part of the text rather than the whole text.

There are two variations of this task type. In the first variation, you need to select words from the text which fit into gaps on the question paper. You must write the words you choose on the answer sheet.

In the second variation, you have to choose from a list of words to fill the gaps. The words are identified by letters (A, B, C, etc.).

You must write the letter you choose on the answer sheet.

This type of question tests your ability to understand details and/or the main ideas of a part of the text. When completing this type of question, you will need to think about the type of word(s) that will fit into a gap (for example, whether a noun is needed, or a verb, etc.).

Academic Reading Question Type 10 – Diagram label completion

In this type of question, you have to complete the labels on a diagram. The diagram is based on a description given in the text. The diagram may be a type of machine, part of a building or of other information in the text that can be shown through pictures. Write the words that fit into the gap on the answer sheet.

This type of question tests your ability to understand a detailed description in the text, and then relate that description to information given in a diagram.

Academic Reading Question Type 11 – Short-answer questions

In this type of question, you have to answer questions about factual details in the text. You must write your answers in words or numbers on the answer sheet.

Answers must be taken from words in the text. A word limit is given, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER’. You will lose the mark for writing more than the word limit. Numbers can be written using figures (1, 2, etc.) or words (one, two, etc.). Contracted words such as ‘they’re’ will not be tested. Hyphenated words such as ‘check-in’ count as single words. The answers come in the same order as the information in the text.

This type of question tests your ability to find and understand specific information in the text.

What’s in the IELTS Academic Writing paper?

There are two Writing tasks and BOTH must be completed.

In Task 1, you have to describe some visual information in your own words (a graph, table, chart or diagram). You need to write at least 150 words in about 20 minutes.

In Task 2, you are given a point of view, argument or problem which you need to discuss . You need to write at least 250 words in about 40 minutes.

You must write your answers using full sentences. You must not write your answers as notes or bullet points. You must write your answers on the answer sheet. You are allowed to write notes on the question paper, but these will not be seen by the examiner.

Certificated IELTS examiners assess your performance on each Writing task. There are four assessment criteria (things which the examiner thinks about when deciding what score to give you):

Task achievement/response
Coherence and cohesion
Lexical resource
Grammatical range and accuracy.

Task achievement (in Task 1) and Task response (in Task 2) assess how accurately, appropriately and relevantly your response covers the task requirements, using the minimum of 150 words for Task 1 and 250 words for Task 2.

In Task 1, all the information you require is given in the diagram.

In Task 2, Task response includes how well you develop your argument in response to the task, giving evidence and examples which may be from your own experience.

Coherence and cohesion assesses how clear and fluent your writing is, and how you organise ideas and information. It includes giving your ideas in a logical order, and using a range of cohesive devices (for example, linking words, pronouns and conjunctions) appropriately.

Lexical resource assesses the range of vocabulary you use, and how accurately and appropriately you use it.

Grammatical range and accuracy assesses the range of grammar you use and how accurately and appropriately you use it.

Time allowed : 60 minutes

Number of tasks : 2

Marking : Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score.

Tasks 1 and 2

Academic writing – task 1.

In Academic Writing Task 1, you may be asked to describe:

one or more graphs, charts or tables
a diagram of an object, device, process or event; you have to include the most important points in the diagram, but some minor points or details may be left out.

You should write in an academic or semi-formal/neutral style.

You should spend no more than 20 minutes on this task. You must write at least 150 words and will be penalised if your answer is too short. While you will not be penalised for writing more than 150 words, you should remember that a longer Task 1 answer may mean that you have less time to spend on Task 2, which contributes twice as much to your Writing band score.

You should remember that you will be penalised if what you write does not relate to the topic. You will also be penalised if your answer is not written as a whole piece of connected text (i.e. you must not use notes or bullet points). You will be severely penalised if your writing is plagiarised (i.e. copied from another source).

You must write your answer on the answer sheet.

This task tests if you can give a well-organised overview of the visual information using language that is appropriate in its register and style.

Depending on the task type, you will be assessed on your ability to:

organise, present and possibly compare data
describe stages of a process or procedure
describe an object, event or sequence of events
explain how something works.

How much do I have to write?

A minimum of 150 words.

Academic Writing – Task 2

In Academic Writing Task 2, you are given a topic to write about. Your answer should discuss the most relevant issues. You must read the task carefully so that you can write a full answer that is relevant. For example, if the topic is a particular aspect of the wider topic of computers, you should focus on this aspect only in your answer. You should not simply write about computers in general.

You should write in an academic or semi-formal/neutral style. You will need to organise your ideas clearly and make sure you use relevant examples (which can be from your own experience, if relevant) or evidence.

You should spend no more than 40 minutes on this task. You must write at least 250 words and will be penalised if your answer is too short. While you will not be penalised for writing more than 250 words, if you write a very long answer you may not have time for checking and correcting at the end, and some ideas may not be directly relevant to the question. You may also produce handwriting which is unclear.

You should remember that you will be penalised if what you write is not related to the topic. You will also be penalised if your answer is not written as a whole piece of connected text (i.e. you must not use notes or bullet points). You will be severely penalised if your writing is plagiarised (i.e. copied from another source).

This task tests if you can write a clear, relevant, well-organised argument, giving evidence or examples to support your ideas, and use language accurately.

present a solution to a problem
present and justify an opinion
compare and contrast evidence, opinions and implications
evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or an argument.

You must write a minimum of 250 words.

What’s in the IELTS Speaking paper?

The Speaking test is a face-to-face interview between the test taker and an examiner. The Speaking test is recorded.

There are three parts to the test, and each part follows a specific pattern of tasks in order to test your speaking ability in different ways.

Certificated IELTS examiners assess your speaking performance throughout the test. There are four assessment criteria (things which the examiner thinks about when deciding what score to give you):

Fluency and coherence
Grammatical range and accuracy
Pronunciation.

Fluency and coherence assesses how well you can speak at a normal speed without too much hesitation. It also includes putting your sentences and ideas in a logical order and using cohesive devices (including linking words, pronouns and conjunctions, etc.) appropriately so that what you say is not difficult to follow.

Lexical resource assesses the range of vocabulary you use and how accurately and appropriately you use vocabulary to express meaning. It also includes the ability to express yourself using alternative vocabulary when you don’t know a particular word.

Pronunciation assesses your ability to speak in a way which can be understood without too much effort.

Time allowed : 11–14 minutes

Number of parts : 3

Speaking Part 1 – Introduction and interview

In this part, the examiner introduces him/herself and checks your identity. Then the examiner asks you general questions on some familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies or interests.

Part 1 is 4–5 minutes long.

This part tests your ability to give opinions and information on everyday topics and common experiences or situations by answering a range of questions.

Speaking Part 2 – Long turn

Part 2 is the individual long turn. The examiner gives you a task card which asks you to talk about a particular topic. The card tells you what points you should include in your talk and instructs you to explain one aspect of the topic. You have one minute to prepare your talk, and the examiner will give you a pencil and paper to make notes.

By using the points on the task card and making notes during the preparation time, you should be able to think of appropriate things to say, and have time to structure your talk so that you keep talking for 2 minutes.

The examiner will then ask you to begin talking and will stop you when the time is up. They may then ask you one or two questions on the same topic.

Part 2 lasts 3–4 minutes, including the preparation time.

This part tests your ability to speak at length on a given topic, using appropriate language and organising your ideas logically. You will need to think about your own experiences to complete the long turn.

Speaking Part 3 – Discussion

In Part 3, you and the examiner discuss issues related to the topic in Part 2 in a more general and abstract way and, where appropriate, in greater depth.

Part 3 lasts 4–5 minutes.

This part tests your ability to explain your opinions and to analyse, discuss and speculate about issues.

Ways to prepare

Sample questions

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Most popular 50+ Essay Topics of 2024

Updated On April 24, 2024
Published In IELTS Preparation 💻

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) writing section is a 1-hour test that comprises two questions: task 1 and task 2, which assess your vocabulary, grammar, word count, collocations, and ability to construct complex sentences with moderation and without repetition.

Table of Contents

To begin, it is pivotal to understand that the IELTS essay topics vary for IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training Tasks. In Task 1 of IELTS Academic, you must write a report on a graph, diagram or chart, whereas, for IELTS General Training Task 1, you must write a letter. Task 2 of the General and Academic modules is essay writing; while the topics for essays in both modules may differ, the essay writing strategy remains the same.

Examiners use the following criteria to calculate Academic IELTS Writing Task 1 and Task 2 scores: Task Achievement, Task Response, Coherence, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Lexical Resource.

IELTS Writing Task 2 for Academic

The IELTS Academic Writing section consists of two tasks that must be completed in one hour:

Writing Task 1

In Task 1, you are assigned a graph, visual information, table or chart, which you are required to describe in your own words. You must write a report in 150 words, accurately describing what the information in the graph or picture represents. The IELTS writing task 1 marking criteria accounts for 33% of the total IELTS writing evaluation score, and you should try to finish this part in 20 minutes or less because IELTS writing task 2 is more difficult and will take at least 40 minutes to complete.

Crack IELTS Exam in first attempt

IELTS Writing Task 2: Most popular 50+ Essay Topics of 2024

Attend Leap’s free masterclass to get tips, tricks and advance strategies to crack IELTS exam in first attempt

Writing Task 2

IELTS writing task 2 marking criteria has a 66% weightage, where you must complete a 250-word essay in 40 minutes. Candidates must respond to a problem, a point of view, or an argument in this task, with a curated response. The essay’s content should be written with perfect grammar and focused solely on the topic. As task 2 holds more weight, candidates should devote significant time to it and ensure a properly curated essay for a good band score.

Let us now review some fundamentals of IELTS essay structure that you can apply to this task. A typical writing piece includes an introduction, the main body consisting of a few paragraphs, and a conclusion. In the introduction, you should write the context of your issue and a thesis statement representing the main idea of your text.

The central section of your essay will discuss various facts and arguments that support or oppose the thesis statement. Finally, restate the thesis statement, bolstering it with new details from the main body.

Here’s a list of the latest IELTS essay topics and sample questions to help you efficiently prepare for task 2 of the IELTS Writing section.

Latest IELTS Essay Topics for 202 4

IELTS essay writing topics are usually based on current events and world affairs. You will find a series of essay writing topics for IELTS in the following listicles. Also, one of the most effective ways to prepare for answering essays in the Writing section of IELTS is to work on the sample essay questions. The topic categories and essay writing samples to help students looking for the latest IELTS essay topics are stated below:

Environment

Environmental Crisis: One of the most common topics in IELTS is the environment essay IELTS band 9. Many students, however, do not see the need to prepare for this because it is one of the most specific topics resulting in a loss of marks.

Click here for the Environmental Crisis essay sample and answers for practice.

Global Warming: It is common for IELTS speaking and writing sections to include questions about broad discussion topics, such as climate change, the greenhouse effect, global warming, and deforestation.

Click here for the Global Warming essay format, sample and answers for practice.

Sustainable Energy: If you are unfamiliar with the framework and concepts of an essay, it can be a daunting task. All of the sentences must be related and formed in such a way that they provide a clear view and information. You may be penalised if you veer off-topic while writing your essay. Sustainable energy and nuclear power topics are debated topics; hence practising them will give you an edge over your peers.

Click here for the Sustainable Energy essay structure, sample and answers for practice.

Fossil Fuels: The IELTS essay topics for writing task 2 are usually based on common themes frequently discussed in the average aspirant’s daily life. One such theme is the use of renewable energy sources in place of nonrenewable resources such as fossil fuels.

Click here for the Fossil Fuels essay sample and answers for practice.

Personality

Importance of First Impression: IELTS examiners have a short attention span and read hundreds of essays daily. Hence, it is pivotal for you to get the start right and make a good first impression in your First Impression is Important IELTS essay.

Click here for the Personality essay sample and answers for practice.

Hobbies: ‘Hobbies’ is a common theme in both the IELTS Writing Task 2 and the Speaking section. This is a simple, mark-fetching topic with few challenges for students taking the exam.

Click here for the Hobbies essay sample and answers for practice.

Fashion: Fashion is a recurring topic with global themes and one of the best topics to practise your public speaking skills.

Click here for the Fashion essay sample and answers for practice.

Importance of Leisure Activities and School Values: The IELTS Essay on Education is one of the most challenging tasks, with unpredictable questions in the exam. These education essay topics, like the Importance of leisure activities, are opinion-driven and assess students’ ability to express their knowledge and skills thoughtfully.

Click here for the Education essay sample and answers for practice.

Government and Society: As an IELTS exam candidate, you should review as many common topics for Writing Task 2 as possible. One such common IELTS test theme is government and society, with which you should be well-acquainted.

Click here for the Government and Society essay sample and answers for practice.

Ideal Society: Candidates should practise sample questions and answers for the Ideal Society IELTS essay to gain a firm grasp on writing and vocabulary and improve their overall band score.

Click here for the Ideal Society essay sample and answers for practice.

Social Media: Social media essays are a popular topic in IELTS writing task 2. For a social media IELTS essay band 9 and similar topics, the most straightforward approach is maintaining the proper word count and being aware of various approaches to the topic.

Click here for the Social Media essay sample and answers for practice.

Business & Global Consumerism

International Trade: Over the years, one of the topics covered in the IELTS exam has been global business. Your answer for such topics should contain everything; your responses, solutions, arguments, reasons, opinions, and evidence are critical to answering the question.

Click here for the International Trade essay sample and answers for practice.

Management and Leadership: In any organisation, leadership and management are critical roles. Your essay for such topics should always be pertinent to the question.

Click here for the Management and Leadership essay sample and answers for practice.

Foreign Languages: Foreign languages and language barriers are recurring themes in the IELTS writing task 2. Express your own opinions on such topics.

Click here for the Culture essay sample and answers for practice.

Sports and children: Sport is a recurring theme, and the essay content should not deviate from the main points at any point in the essay.

Click here for the Sports essay sample and answers for practice. Covid 19

Covid impact: The topics of IELTS Writing task 2 are usually drawn from current events worldwide, making Covid-19 an anticipated topic.

Click here for the Covid 19 essay sample and answers for practice.

Obesity: Overweight essays are among the most common topics in IELTS writing task 2. Obesity, recent trends in health among children and adults, and other similar topics may also be discussed in relation to overweight.

Click here for the Health essay sample and answers for practice.

Types of IELTS Essays

IELTS essay writing topics are usually classified under various sections. You can expect essays in the IELTS exam from any of the following types:

Opinion Essays

In this essay category, you must discuss your opinion on the given topic. Naturally, the best way to score high in such essays is to have prior knowledge of common topics that are popular in the IELTS exam.

Sample Questions:

Most teenagers today own a smartphone. Provide your opinion to discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
Crime novels and TV series have become quite popular in recent years. What is your opinion about these crime dramas?
Developing nations often require international assistance. Many believe that this assistance should be monetary, while some think practical help and advice would be more beneficial. Discuss both these views along with your opinion.
Many consider automobiles to be the biggest source of pollution in urban areas, while some believe industries are responsible for it. Explain both views and provide your opinion.
Many people believe individuals involved with creative arts should be financially supported by the government. Some others believe they should find separate resources. Discuss each of the views and give your opinion.
Some believe success in life comes from hard work, dedication, and motivation. While many believe success depends on other important factors like money and appearance. Discuss both views and provide your opinion.
Many think that governments should fund programs in search of life on other planets. However, others believe governments should focus on unresolved issues on the planet. Provide your opinion and discuss both views.

You can also check out this detailed guide on Opinion Essays to learn the appropriate structure for maximum scores!

Discussion Essays

In the case of discussion essays, the candidates need to put forward an explanation for or against any given topic. Such essays are the most common to appear in the IELTS exam.

Sample Questions:

Many believe living in big cities comes with more advantages than residing in the countryside. Do you agree or disagree with this?
The shopping habits of people depend more on their age group than on any other factors. Do you agree or disagree with this?
More and more children and minors are becoming overweight in developed nations. This is a major problem for most wealthy countries. Explain the causes and impacts of this issue.
The internet is a great invention that brings a host of advantages for the world population. However, there are several issues in terms of security and control of personal data. Do you agree or disagree with this?
Advertising prevents originality in people and makes them look the same and do the same. Do you agree or disagree with this?
Parents today often tend to organise extra classes on weekends or even after school. Do you believe this is at all useful? Or do you think the education provided in school is sufficient?
Some people believe that capital punishment should be done away with. Do you agree or disagree with this?

We have covered valuable tips & tricks to attempt Discussion Essays that can come in handy in your exam.

Solution Essays

For solution essays, you will have to provide a solution to a particular issue. At times, questions might be provided as to why a specific issue has occurred, and candidates have to provide their opinion on the answer.

The massive movement of people from agricultural areas to cities in search of employment can lead to serious problems in both places. What are the problems, and how can these be solved?

Check out our sample question and answer on Solution Essays for a more thorough explanation.

Advantage or Disadvantage Essays

In this type of essay, students have to write about a particular topic’s positive and negative sides. Such essays test your argument construction skills and how well you can use English to communicate your views as clearly and coherently as possible.

International tourism has greatly benefited many places. However, there have been major concerns about its impact on the local environment and inhabitants. Do the negative impacts of international tourism outweigh the benefits?
Some countries have recently passed laws to restrict the daily working hours of employees. Explain whether this will have a positive or negative impact.
More and more people today are visiting extreme places such as Antarctica or the Sahara desert. What are the advantages or disadvantages of such travels?
Social media is gradually replacing in-person face-to-face contact with many people worldwide. Do the benefits of social media outweigh the disadvantages?

Use the sample questions from the Advantage/Disadvantage Essay type to practise your writing skills.

Direct Question Essays

For this type of essay, the topics will be provided as direct questions, which students have to answer based on their experiences and thoughts.

Shopping used to be a routine domestic task in the past. However, today, it has become more of a hobby. Is this a positive trend?
You can get more information on these rare essay-type questions on our Direct question essay structure blog.

Preparation Tips for IELTS Writing Task 2

Many students believe they don’t need to prepare much because they speak English reasonably well. Well, the IELTS exam is not that easy. In fact, even native English speakers may find the test difficult. As a result, candidates should prepare for this section rigorously and methodically and start early preparation.

Begin your IELTS preparations at least 6 months before your intended test date, and ensure to devote some time daily to all 4 sections.
Choose writing topics for both tasks, especially writing task 2, and try to write about them daily. Time yourself; remember that you must complete both tasks in one hour.
Spend significant time learning new vocabulary and brushing up on your grammatical skills. Following that is structured thinking, allowing you to convey your ideas logically. While writing, pay close attention to lucidity, logic, and clarity.
You should expand your ideas because the IELTS writing task 2 could cover any topic. Go through all the resources like magazines, books, and online materials to expand your knowledge and vocabulary. Additionally, practice as many mock tests as possible.

As mentioned above it’s only practice that can get you the desire scores. But along with it you also need the best preparation materials and guidance. And the best solution we suggest is to register for the LeapScholar IELTS courses . Along with live classes from the best IELTS tutors, you’ll also have access to mock tests, speaking and writing evaluations and comprehensive study materials. As a reward you’ll also receive a course completion certificate.

How to Answer Task 2 Essays in IELTS Writing Section?

Students can employ the following steps to successfully enhance their ability to answer essays in the Writing section:

Step 1: Read and Understand the Question

The first step to nailing task 2 essays is to read and understand the question carefully. Most of the time, candidates answer the question without understanding what it demands. Candidates should carefully analyse the question, identify the question type and try to identify the keywords. Finally, they should clearly understand the instructions and then attempt to answer.

Step 2: Plan the Answer

Once students have understood the question, they need to plan the structure of the answer. This will allow candidates to organise their ideas and produce a clear and coherent response.

Step 3: Write a Solid Introduction

The introduction of the essay should give an idea of what the essay is all about. Make sure to write an appropriate introduction conveying the gist of the essay.

Step 4: Carefully Curate the Main Body

The main body is the essential part of the essay, where you must provide the necessary details. State your points accordingly and substantiate them with explanations, examples, and other relevant data. Once done, you need to give a proper conclusion.

Tips for IELTS Writing Task 2

Candidates can use the following tips to ace their IELTS Writing test:

Although IELTS is a difficult test to master, one can achieve a good score with systematic and consistent preparation. If you require assistance in acing your IELTS Writing Task 1 and 2, our Leap Scholar experts will provide the necessary guidance, tips, and tricks to help you pass your IELTS test with flying colours. If you are planning to prepare for the essay task in the Writing section, you can go through this comprehensive guide to get an idea about the latest IELTS essay topics. You can prepare for the essay task accordingly with the help of sample essay topics and questions provided in the above sections.

Still unclear about some portions of IELTS, then enrol for IELTS professional coaching. IELTS Prep app by Leap Scholar is a one-stop solution for your study abroad dream. You can access specially crafted lessons by experts accredited by IDP, British Council, and Cambridge. About 1M + students have trusted us with their IELTS prep journey. Join us, download our IELTS prep app and get access to the best resources!

Frequently asked questions

How can you score well in ielts writing task 2.

Ans. IELTS Writing Task 2 mainly has four performance descriptors: Task Response, Cohesion & Coherence , Lexical Resource, and finally Grammatical range and accuracy. The scoring happens on four parameters, so follow these and prepare with the correct books and practice questions.

What are the most popular questions asked in IELTS Writing Task 2?

Ans. The different types of questions in IELTS Writing Task 2 include: Problem/ Causes questions, Opinion questions, Advantage/ Disadvantage questions, Discussion of views, etc.

What are the main themes on which IELTS Writing Task 2 questions are based on?

Ans. Some of the broad themes include Environment, Food, Health, Art, Business, Communication, Crime & Punishment and more. Ideas and topics are taken under these broad themes for question framing.

Is it necessary to use complex words in IELTS Writing section?

Ans. Having a good vocabulary is an added advantage. However, difficult words should not be forcefully put in sentences. Your sentences should be organic and should fit the meaning and the context of your essays.

How to develop ideas for IELTS Writing Task 2 2024?

Ans. The easiest ways to generate ideas for IELTS Writing Task 2 are by analyzing model essays, finding ideas on google, talking to experts, watching movies, asking yourself some questions about the topic, generating main ideas from specific examples.

How many mistakes are acceptable in IELTS Writing Task 2?

Ans. Making one or two mistakes is overlooked by the examiner if the overall essay is good. However, making more mistakes than that can lead to lower IELTS band score.

What are the basic topics in IELTS writing task 2?

Some of the common IELTS topics for Writing Task 2 are Art, Environment, Education, Health, Jobs and Employment, Sport, Science and Technology Friends and Family, Government and Society etc.

Know more about IELTS

Get free speaking practice samples.

Describe a Skill That you can teach other people
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Experienced IELTS prep trainer and education management industry veteran. Specializes in public speaking, international education, market research, mentoring, and management.

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Type Of Academic Writing: A Guide for Every Student

Think of academic writing like a large toolbox with different tools, each meant for a specific task. Just like you wouldn’t use a hammer to fix a leaky faucet, you don’t use the same writing style for every academic task. Whether you’re a high school student, a college undergrad, or a graduate researcher, understanding the type of academic writing can make a world of difference in your studies. So, let’s dive into this toolbox and explore the various writing styles you’ll encounter on your academic journey.

What Is Academic Writing And Examples?

Table of Contents

Academic writing is a fancy way of writing that’s used in schools and colleges. Its goal is to share information and ideas clearly and neatly. It’s common in schools, colleges, universities, and academic research. Here are some examples of academic writing:

Research Papers: Detailed studies on specific topics, presenting findings and analysis.
Essays: Structured pieces of writing with a clear thesis statement and supporting evidence.
Literature Reviews: Summaries and evaluations of existing research on a particular topic.
Case Studies: In-depth examinations of a specific situation or individual, often in psychology or sociology.
Theses and Dissertations: Extensive research projects culminating in a formal document for advanced degrees.
Reports: Formal documents presenting facts, analyses, and recommendations.
Annotated Bibliographies: Lists of sources with brief summaries and evaluations.
Lab Reports: Documents detailing scientific experiments and their results.

Each of these examples follows specific conventions of academic writing, such as citing sources, using formal language, and adhering to a particular structure.

What Are The 4 Main Types Of Academic Writing?

Descriptive writing, what is it.

Descriptive writing paints a vivid picture with words. Its goal is to describe a person, place, event, or object in detail, allowing readers to visualize it in their minds.

Characteristics

Rich in sensory details: Descriptive writing appeals to the senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell.
Use of vivid language: It employs colorful adjectives and adverbs to create a clear image.
Objective observation: Descriptive writing sticks to the facts without interpretation.
Scientific Observations: Think of a biologist describing the behavior of ants in intricate detail.
Literary Analysis: When an English student dissects the imagery in a poem, that’s descriptive writing in action.

Analytical Writing

Analytical writing involves breaking down complex ideas into smaller parts to understand them better. It’s about examining something closely and drawing connections.

Critical thinking: Analytical writing requires you to analyze, evaluate, and interpret information.
Comparison and contrast: Often involves comparing multiple viewpoints or pieces of literature.
Logical structure: Ideas are presented in a logical sequence with supporting evidence.
Critical Reviews: Movie critics use analytical writing to assess films, discussing what worked and what didn’t.
Comparative Essays: Comparing two historical events or two theories in psychology falls under analytical writing.

Persuasive Writing

Persuasive writing aims to convince readers of a particular viewpoint or idea. It’s about presenting arguments and supporting them with evidence.

Clear thesis statement: The writer states their position early on.
Appeals to emotions and logic: Persuasive writing uses both emotional and logical appeals to sway the reader.
Counter Arguments addressed: Acknowledges opposing views and refutes them.
Argumentative Essays: These essays argue a specific point, such as the importance of recycling or the benefits of a vegan diet.
Position Papers: When a politician writes a paper advocating for a new law, that’s persuasive writing in action.

Expository Writing

Expository writing is all about explaining and informing. It’s like being a tour guide for your reader, leading them through a topic step by step.

Clarity and conciseness: Expository writing is straightforward and to the point.
Research-based: Relies on credible sources to support the information presented.
Instructional tone: Often includes “how-to” guides or explanations of processes.
Research Papers: When a scientist explains their findings and their implications, that’s expository writing.
How-to Guides: Cooking recipes, DIY instructions, and academic guides on formatting papers are all examples of expository writing.

Narrative Writing

Narrative writing tells a story. It can be personal, fictional, or based on real events, but its essence lies in engaging the reader in a narrative arc.

Characters and plot: Narrative writing involves characters with goals and obstacles.
Chronological structure: Stories are often told in sequence, from beginning to end.
Descriptive elements: Like descriptive writing, narratives use vivid details to immerse the reader.
Personal Essays: Reflective pieces where the writer shares a personal experience and its significance.
Case Studies: In fields like psychology and sociology, researchers use narrative writing to present detailed case studies of individuals.

What Are The 6 Common Problems In Academic Writing?

In academic writing, several common problems can arise, leading to challenges in clarity, coherence, and overall effectiveness of the work. Here are six common problems encountered in academic writing:

Lack of Clarity and Precision
Issue: Unclear or vague writing can confuse readers and weaken the argument.
Solution: Define terms, use specific examples, and ensure each sentence contributes to the main point.
Poor Organization and Structure
Issue: Disorganized writing makes it difficult for readers to follow the flow of ideas.
Solution: Use clear introductions, topic sentences, and transitions between paragraphs to create a logical structure.
Weak Thesis Statements
Issue: A weak thesis can result in a lack of focus and direction in the paper.
Solution: Craft a strong, clear thesis that presents the main argument or purpose of the paper.
Issue: Using someone else’s ideas, words, or work without proper citation.
Solution: Always give credit to sources through proper citation and paraphrasing, and understand when to quote directly.
Inadequate Research
Issue: Insufficient or unreliable sources can weaken the credibility of the work.
Solution: Conduct thorough research using credible sources and critically evaluate the information.
Grammar and Punctuation Errors
Issue: Mistakes in grammar, punctuation, and spelling can distract from the message.
Solution: Proofread carefully, use grammar guides, and consider seeking feedback from peers or instructors.

What Is The Best Way To Learn Academic Writing?

Learning academic writing is a skill that improves with practice and guidance. Here are some steps to help you master academic writing:

Understand the Basics
Familiarize yourself with the different types of academic writing: descriptive, analytical, persuasive, expository, and narrative.
Learn about academic style guides (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) for formatting, citations, and references.
Read Academic Writing
Read widely in your field of study to understand the style and structure of academic writing.
Analyze how successful academic writers present their arguments, use evidence, and structure their work.
Practice Regularly
Start with simple exercises, such as summarizing articles or writing short essays.
Gradually tackle more complex tasks, such as research papers or critical analyses.
Seek Feedback
Share your writing with peers, professors, or writing centers for constructive feedback.
Use feedback to identify areas for improvement and refine your skills.
Master Citations and References
Learn how to properly cite sources according to the style guide used in your discipline.
Understand the differences between paraphrasing, summarizing, and quoting sources.
Focus on Clarity and Coherence
Ensure your writing is clear, concise, and logically organized.
Use topic sentences, transitions, and signposts to guide the reader through your argument.
Edit and Revise
Edit for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors.
Revise for clarity, coherence, and strengthening of arguments.
Utilize Writing Resources
Take advantage of writing workshops, online resources, and style guides.
Consider using writing software or apps to help with grammar checking and organization.
Stay Persistent and Patient
Academic writing is a skill that takes time to develop.
Don’t get discouraged by challenges; view them as opportunities to improve.
Immerse Yourself in Academic Discourse
Engage in discussions, seminars, and conferences related to your field.
Participate in writing groups or forums where you can discuss and learn from others.

Conclusion: Type Of Academic Writing

Understanding the type of academic writing is like having a versatile set of tools in your writing toolbox. Whether you’re crafting a research paper, arguing a point, or telling a story, choosing the right style enhances your message. So, next time you’re faced with an academic task, consider which tool—descriptive, analytical, persuasive, expository, or narrative—best suits the job. Happy writing!

In this journey through the world of academic writing, we’ve explored the purpose, characteristics, and examples of each type. Armed with this knowledge, you’re better equipped to tackle various assignments with confidence. Remember, the key to mastery is practice, so don’t hesitate to experiment with these styles in your own writing. Here’s to your success in the diverse landscape of academic writing!

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What are the types of Essays in the IELTS Exam?
Easy IELTS Writing Task 2 essay structures for any question
IELTS Essay Planning: 4 Step Approach
Understanding IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Types: Tips & Strategies
All You Need To Know About 5 Types of IELTS Task 2 Essays
IELTS Essay Question Types and Essay Structures

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IELTS Writing: 5 Types of Ielts Essays
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IELTS Writing Task 2: Opinion essay (5)| Language Barriers

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IELTS Essays: Five Types of IELTS Essays
There are 5 types of IELTS essays which can appear in IELTS writing task 2. These types of essays are for both GT and Academic writing task 2. Below you will find sample essay questions for each type of essay and links to model answers. Please note that IELTS teachers sometimes divide essays into different categories based on how they teach.
IELTS Task 2
There are 5 main types of IELTS Task 2 essays: 1) Opinion Essays. 2) Discussion Essays. 3) Problem Solution Essays. 4) Advantages & Disadvantages Essays. 5) Double Question Essays. Most questions fit one of these categories. However, questions can be written in many different ways, which can make it difficult to determine which type they are.
5 Types of IELTS Essays with Questions and Samples
In IELTS Writing Task 2 (both General and Academic), there are 5 different types of essays: . Discussion essay (Discuss both views essay) Agree/disagree essay (Opinion essay) Advantage/disadvantage essay; Problem/solution essay; Two-part question essay (Direct question essay)
How to Write an IELTS Essay: The key steps
Essay Types. It is important to learn about IELTS essays because there are different essay types, and these will require different ways to answer them. However, as you will see from the guidance on this page, they can all follow the same basic structure. These are some of the types of IELTS essays you can get in the test: Agree / disagree
Types of essays to expect in your IELTS Writing Task 2
Paragraph A addresses the question, but it does have some issues: 1. There is no topic sentence. 2. There are too many ideas. It is better to have one core idea which is expanded or extended rather than making a list of separate items. The reasons for not providing free public transport for urban residents are diverse.
PDF Writing Task 2 Essay structure and writing an introduction
Information about this section of IELTS In Writing Task 2, test takers will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. They will be expected to write at least 250 words and are advised to spend 40 minutes on this task. The essay should be written in formal, academic English. Time 45 minutes
How to Identify the 5 types of IELTS essays in writing task 2
See more here. The 5 types of IELTS essays. 1. Advantages and disadvantages essay. 2. Opinion essays (sometimes called an argument essay) 3. Discussion essay.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Types and Structures + Samples
Essay Structure: Introduction: Paraphrase the Question and outline the main points. Main Body Paragraph 1: Discuss two advantages, expand on each, and provide an example. Main Body Paragraph 2: Detail two disadvantages, delve deeper into each, and give an example. Conclusion: Summarize the main pros and cons discussed.
IELTS Writing Task 2: Tips, Lessons & Models
The common types of essays are: Opinion, Discussion, Advantage/Disadvantage, Direct Questions, Solutions. These categorisations will differ from teacher to teacher depending on how they like to teach. See below for 100 IELTS Essay Questions to practise at home. GT writing task 2 is the same as Academic IELTS. The essay is written in the same ...
Types of Essay in ielts Writing task 2
The IELTS Writing Task 2 consists of several essay types: Discussion Essays, Opinion Essays, Multi-part Essays, Multi-part and Opinion Essays, Positive/Negative Essays, Advantage/Disadvantage Essays, and Cause/Solution Essays. Immediately after reading the essay prompt, you must first decide your essay structure and points to be covered in each ...
IELTS Essays : Five Types of IELTS Essays
The IELTS exam's writing module's writing task 2 consists of writing an essay. This blog first discusses a general essay structure, then moves on to present five different types of essays. The blog also gives out how to write each essay type with a sample answer for one of the essay types.
Different Types of IELTS Essays
Learn the different types of essay questions in the IELTS test, so that you can respond better to the questions and structure your essays better. This will increase your score for task response and cohesion and coherence. I have six different structures to fit the six different types of questions that you're likely to encounter in your IELTS ...
IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Structures + Band 9 Essays
The five most common IELTS Writing Task 2 questions are: Opinion (Agree or Disagree) Advantages and Disadvantages. Problem and Solution. Discussion (Discuss both views) Two-part Question. Below I will outline examples and a structure approved by experienced IELTS teachers and examiners for each type of question.
35 Sample Band 9 IELTS Essays
35 Sample Band 9 IELTS Essays. Take a look at these 35 sample Band 9 IELTS essays for writing task 2 of the IELTS exam. Task 2 can cover a wide range of essay topics for the IELTS writing task section of the test, so preparation is key. Use the following samples when preparing your IELTS essays to see how close you are to a band 9!
IELTS opinion essay, model answer, structure, and analysis
As with all IELTS essays, it is crucial to spend a couple of minutes analysing the task and underling the keywords so that you are writing relevant points in the essay. If you go off-topic or write irrelevant points it will affect your score. This is the task question for my model answer below and it is clear that the essay is about having too ...
Types of Essays in IELTS
IELTS Writing Task 2 in both the IELTS Academic and General Training is a compulsory section with one essay writing question. The essay topics could be of any general interest based on environmental problems, improving educational activities for children, if smoking in public places should be banned, who should take financial care of old people, and many more.
IELTS Sample Essays
IELTS Sample Essays. Here you will find IELTS Sample Essays for a variety of common topics that appear in the writing exam.. The model answers all have tips and strategies for how you may approach the question and comments on the sample answer.. You can also view sample essays with band scores on this page.. Looking at IELTS essay topics with answers is a great way to help you to prepare for ...
IELTS Writing Task 2: Types of Essays
In IELTS Writing Task 2 (both General and Academic), there are 5 different types of essays you may be asked to write: Discussion essay (Discuss both views essay) Agree/disagree essay (Opinion essay) Advantage/disadvantage essay. Problem/solution essay. Two-part question essay (Direct question essay)
100 IELTS Essay Questions
100 IELTS Essay Questions. Below are practice IELTS essay questions and topics for writing task 2. The 100 essay questions have been used many times over the years. The questions are organised under common topics and essay types. IELTS often use the similar topics for their essays but change the wording of the essay question.
IELTS
We are excited to launch a series of videos to explain the key criteria for how the Writing tests are scored. This will help you achieve your IELTS goals sooner. Examiners use assessment criteria to award a score for each of the following four criteria: Task achievement (for task 1) and task response (for task 2) Coherence and cohesion.
IELTS
Speaking. The IELTS Academic test is designed to assess your English-language skills, especially those skills that are relevant when studying at undergraduate or postgraduate levels. Check which academic institutions accept IELTS and the scores they require for acceptance onto their degree programmes. The IELTS Academic test features vocabulary ...
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Types
Now, let's look at the different IELTS writing task 1 types. 1. Line Graphs. Probably the most common type of IELTS writing task 1 data is a line graph. As a result, many textbooks, teachers, courses, and classes focus on teaching this above all else, and so most IELTS candidates feel more confident when presented with a line graph than any ...
Types of essays to expect in your IELTS Writing Task 2
This essay will reflect on both of these viewpoints before concluding with why the infancy argument is more valid. When you 'discuss both of these views in your body paragraphs, make sure you avoid mentioning your personal view. This can avoid any confusion between what you think and what the views of others are.
IELTS
Reading. Writing. Speaking. You can take the IELTS Academic at a test centre or remotely online. The test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes, and the format is the same wherever it is taken. Choose the IELTS Academic test if you wish to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, or if you are seeking professional registration, e.g. doctors and ...
IELTS Writing Task 2: Most popular 50+ Essay Topics of 2024
IELTS Writing Task 2 for Academic . ... Types of IELTS Essays. IELTS essay writing topics are usually classified under various sections. You can expect essays in the IELTS exam from any of the following types: Opinion Essays . In this essay category, you must discuss your opinion on the given topic. Naturally, the best way to score high in such ...
Writing Tips for Academic Success in IELTS Task 2
Listen to this episode from IELTS podcast on Spotify. In this episode, we discuss writing tips for academic success in IELTS Task 2. We look at: How to clarify what is expected from you (the IELTS student) The four most common types of IELTS Task 2 questions The process for starting your IELTS essay The importance of feedback (from your friends and/or professionals) Learn more here: https ...
Type Of Academic Writing: A Guide for Every Student
Here are some examples of academic writing: Research Papers: Detailed studies on specific topics, presenting findings and analysis. Essays: Structured pieces of writing with a clear thesis statement and supporting evidence. Literature Reviews: Summaries and evaluations of existing research on a particular topic.

IELTS Task 2 Essays Understand the 5 Different Types

1) Opinion Essays

Essay Structure

2) Discussion Essays

3) Problem Essays

4) Advantages & Disadvantages Essays

5) Double Question Essays

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Types of essays to expect in your IELTS Writing Task 2

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Opinion Essay

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Band 9 Guide: IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Types and Structures + Sample Essays

1. Opinion Questions (Agree or Disagree)

Question Example:

Essay Structure:

Sample Essay:

Advanced Tips:

2. Advantages and Disadvantages Questions

3. Discussion (Discuss Both Views) Questions

4. Problem and Solution Questions

5. Two-Part Questions

6. Mixed Type (Advantages and Disadvantages + Opinion)

7. Double Question

8. Evaluation

9. Causes (Reasons) and Effects

Supplementary Skills and Tips

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IELTS Essay Types and Structure

What are the Learning Objectives of Essay Writing?

7 Types of Essays in IELTS Academic with Sample Questions

1. Discussion Essay

Sample Question:

How to Attempt:

2. Opinion Essay

3. Multi-part Essay

4. Multi-part and Opinion Essay

5. Positive/Negative Essay

6. Cause/Solution Essay

7. Advantage/Disadvantage Essay

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IELTS Essays : Five Types of IELTS Essays

Table of Contents

IELTS Essay – Different Types of Essays

Opinion – Agree/Disagree Type

IELTS Essay Structure for this Type

Advantages/Disadvantages Type

Problem and Solution Type

Discussion Type – Discuss both views