📘 IELTS Writing Task 2
Complete High-Scoring Study Notes (Band 7–9)
1. What is IELTS Writing Task 2?
IELTS Writing Task 2 requires candidates to write a formal academic essay responding to a
given question.
Key Facts
● Minimum word count: 250 words
● Recommended time: 40 minutes
● Weighting: ~⅔ of the Writing score
⚠️ Writing fewer than 250 words results in an automatic band penalty, regardless of essay
quality.
Task Requirement
You must respond to:
● a point of view
● an argument
● or a problem
Your response must be relevant, fully developed, and clearly structured.
2. Understanding the Question (CRITICAL SKILL)
Before writing, underline:
● Topic words (what the essay is about)
, ● Instruction words (discuss, agree, explain, evaluate)
● Limiting words (some, many, in certain countries, nowadays)
📌 Ignoring limiting words leads to an off-topic essay → lower Task Response score.
3. Essay Types (Identify Correctly or Lose Marks)
Choosing the wrong essay type is one of the most common reasons students score Band 6 or
lower.
Main Essay Types
Opinion Essay
● Clearly agree or disagree
● Opinion must be consistent throughout
Discussion Essay
● Discuss both views
● Give your own opinion clearly
Problem–Solution Essay
● Explain causes
● Suggest realistic solutions
Advantages–Disadvantages Essay
● Evaluate both sides
● May or may not require an opinion
Double Question Essay
● Answer both questions fully
● Missing one question = major penalty
Complete High-Scoring Study Notes (Band 7–9)
1. What is IELTS Writing Task 2?
IELTS Writing Task 2 requires candidates to write a formal academic essay responding to a
given question.
Key Facts
● Minimum word count: 250 words
● Recommended time: 40 minutes
● Weighting: ~⅔ of the Writing score
⚠️ Writing fewer than 250 words results in an automatic band penalty, regardless of essay
quality.
Task Requirement
You must respond to:
● a point of view
● an argument
● or a problem
Your response must be relevant, fully developed, and clearly structured.
2. Understanding the Question (CRITICAL SKILL)
Before writing, underline:
● Topic words (what the essay is about)
, ● Instruction words (discuss, agree, explain, evaluate)
● Limiting words (some, many, in certain countries, nowadays)
📌 Ignoring limiting words leads to an off-topic essay → lower Task Response score.
3. Essay Types (Identify Correctly or Lose Marks)
Choosing the wrong essay type is one of the most common reasons students score Band 6 or
lower.
Main Essay Types
Opinion Essay
● Clearly agree or disagree
● Opinion must be consistent throughout
Discussion Essay
● Discuss both views
● Give your own opinion clearly
Problem–Solution Essay
● Explain causes
● Suggest realistic solutions
Advantages–Disadvantages Essay
● Evaluate both sides
● May or may not require an opinion
Double Question Essay
● Answer both questions fully
● Missing one question = major penalty
