Basic IELTS Task 2 Writing Structures for Task 2 Questions.

Writing for school and for university are very different processes; the same can be said for writing for IELTS.

IELTS is often seen as somewhere in-between.

You need to show the educated level of writing developed in the classroom, but it’s unnecessary to write to the extent or in the manner needed for university.

In this post:

• I’ve provided more detail on the sentences that should be contained within each of these paragraphs,
• Examples based around this sample Task 2 Question
• Guidance on the different types of questions you might find in Task 2 Writing.

Outline of the Writing Structure

I generally recommend to my students that their Task 2 essays use the following structure:

So now you have a guide to an outline plan, I will show you how to break the task down in to individual parts.

Different Task 2 Questions

Showing you the different types of IELTS Task 2 questions will help you apply similar techniques to all the questions you might get.

Writing the Introduction

Here’s a basic , but genuine Task 2 question.

Government investment in the visual arts, the kind you often see in art galleries, is a waste of money. Governments are better to invest this money in public services instead. To what extent do you agree with this statement?

To understand how to approach the introduction, it’s a good idea to make a quick plan.

Making a plan requires you to consider the question.

Look at the suggested focus of the question below.

Doing this carefully means that you’re already planning your answer!

And here is an example for you to study – notice how I follow the structure provided at the beginning of this post.

• Sentence 1 –Paraphrase the Task.
• Eg. Many people feel that spending money on the arts is a bad use of resources and that this money is better invested in upgrading public services to improve the life of the government’s citizens.
• Sentence 2 – Explain why you hold that position.
• Eg. I disagree with the statement as the visual arts can also have an important impact on our quality of life.
• Sentence 3 – Give an academic example that backs up your idea.
• Eg. For example, recent studies agree that individuals that regularly visit art galleries are cited as being 20 per cent happier in terms of well-being than people who do not.
• Sentence 4 – Summarise the paragraph showing how your example links your idea/argument back to the main idea.
• Eg. Seeing the health benefits that many people get from the visual arts, it is important that the government assists such public institutions so that they can continue to provide pleasure to the public.

Here’s my final introduction for the question altogether.

Example

Different types of question

Remember the different types of questions?

Now let’s look at considering the body of the essay.

Task 2 Questions To What Extent

In these questions you need to take some position towards the question.

You can do this buy using phrases such as I agree or disagree. You can go further by using mostly agree/partially disagree but you should still consider both sides of the question.

Brainstorming, Planning and Organising your Task 2 Writing

Another Example IELTS Question

Parents should not put pressure on their children to choose a particular profession. Instead young people should have the freedom to choose their own career path.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Here’s where I’ve focussed on the parts of the question –  so I can make an effective plan!

Introduction – what is your position on the question?

Introduction

Body paragraph 1

First Paragraph

Body Paragraph 2

Final Paragraph

To What Extent Essay Example

Example

Task 2 Questions To What Extent Part 2

Here’s some further practice. Again, you need to take some position towards the question.

Brainstorming, Planning and Organising your Task 2 Writing

Genuine Example IELTS Question

Professional athletes in popular sports like football and basketball are overpaid.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Organisation:

• Organisation
  • You should have at least two paragraphs
  • Each paragraph should present one new reason to support in the Introduction.
  • Don’t argue against yourself
  • Your opinion doesn’t need to be strong
  • It’s better to write a balanced argument
  • And reiterate your overall opinion as to which argument is better (mentioned in the introduction)

   

Introduction

Introduction

Main Point 1 Paragraph  

Paragraph 1

Main Point 2 Paragraph

Paragraph 2

Here’s my example To What Extent Task 2 response to the question.

Example

Task 2 Questions Advantage and Disadvantage

In these questions you need to attempt to talk about both the advantages and disadvantages equally.

This might not always be easy, especially if you have your conclusion planned, but you need to consider all sides.

Brainstorming, Planning and Organising your Task 2 Writing

Genuine IELTS Example Question

An increasing number of students spend time away from school to live abroad or gain experience before attending university.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this decision?

Organisation:

Organisation

Here’s my example Advantage and Disadvantage Task 2 response to the question.

Example

Task 2 Questions Causes and Solutions

In these IELTS questions, it’s important to consider and discuss why something is so.

There are two types of these questions.

1. Solution to a problem
2. The Cause and the Solution

Brainstorming, Planning and Organising your Task 2 Writing

Example IELTS Question

Technology now performs many of the kinds of work that people once did. Many workers have lost their jobs and lack the required training to get a new job in the tech economy. What should be done to solve this problem?

Organisation

Organisation

Language for Cause and Solution Essays.

Language

Here’s my example Cause and Solution  Task 2 response to the question.

Example

Task 2 Questions Discuss Both Sides

These are much like advantage and disadvantage questions.

It is not necessary to support one side yet. You can do this at the end if required.

Brainstorming, Planning and Organising your Task 2 Writing.

Example Question

Some people prefer to save money. Others prefer to spend their money on things they will enjoy. What is the best approach towards money? Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

You will need three paragraphs.

Organisation

Here’s my example Task 2 response to the Discuss Both Sides question.

Example

Task 2 Questions Themed Questions

You need to read these questions very carefully to remain on task and topic. After the example there is normally more than one question in the task.

Brainstorming, Planning and Organising your Task 2 Writing

Example IELTS Question

Many children have access to the internet and devices like smart phones, even at a very young age. Do you think this is a good trend? What rules should children follow related to this?

You should write a paragraph for each question in the rubric (the instructions to complete the task) – here there are two questions.

It is possible to write an additional paragraph if you have more to say or you need to write for the word count.

Organisation

Here’s my example Task 2 response to the themed question.

Example

Writing a conclusion

If you planned well at the beginning you probably already have a conclusion for your essay in mind.

You probably decided on your conclusion in your plan.

To consider

• It’s important to remember the original question instructions (give your opinion or not)
• The point of a conclusion is to reiterate a point
• and not repeat too much detail
• Remember only GIVE your opinion if asked in the instructions.

Organisation

Concluding Points

Example Essay and Conclusion

Here’s an essay from the beginning of this post.

I’ve included the conclusion now.

Example

For more information, visit ielts-jonathan.com

Finally, you can  go over to my Facebook page and join other students who are working towards the test and  join my IELTS WRITING TASK 1 group for free practice.

All the Best,

Jonathan

Teacher Resources

By the way,

If you are an IELTS teacher, I have posted the essays below so you can print and use them in class.

To What Extent Task 2 Response

Professional athletes have often been criticised in the media for the increasingly higher salaries they receive for what many people view as simply a physical activity. While I mostly agree with this statement there are certain considerations to be taken into account to understand this question fully.

At first glance it might seem that the salaries of some sports people are excessively high, however it may have taken many years of practice, perseverance and self-sacrifice to reach a level to compete professionally, even if they have a natural talent.  In addition, success in competition will often put an athlete in the public eye or at the top of their game where they are able to take advantage of sponsorship deals and promotions and so they should be paid according to the market rate just like anybody else.

Unfortunately, some sports and teams are run as businesses and they demand the best sports people. In order to get the best teams, managers have to compete against others, and this competition inflates wages. Therefore, some sports people are paid too much but this is due to both talent, luck and inflation of wages.                                                                                                   

ielts-jonathan.com

Words 189

Advantage and Disadvantage  Task 2 Response

It is becoming more common for students to pause their educational career and take gap years to focus on living abroad or working before starting their university education. Generally, I think the advantages outweigh any possible disadvantages for the majority of these people.

University is often seen as the summative assessment of a developing individual before entering the workplace and the experience gained from living in another culture can make someone more worldly and understanding and benefit their final years of education. In addition, travel often broadens the outlook of individuals and this probably leads to more creativity and ability to solve problems, while the experience of work often prepares students with better informed choices about their career choices after university. 

For some students the experience away from education may place them in too much debt and these financial problems may lead to stress at university when they should be focussed on their studies and some students are unable to cope with this, however, the overall development of the individual, strengthening of character and increased employability means that gap years are a useful part of some students’ education.                                                            

ielts-jonathan.com

Words 186

Cause and Solution Task 2 Response

Increasingly some groups of people are finding it more difficult to find work due to the automation of their work and find they lack the skills to compete in the modern-day job market.

One reason for this loss of jobs might be that as computers, robotics and modern materials are becoming more advanced, they are better able to replace the repetitive or manual work that workers once did. This might be an advantage to a company as it improves efficacy, increases production and lowers costs, but obviously it makes a worker redundant. In some countries there are laws that encourage companies to find alternative work or opportunities within the company for employees whose work is replaced by machines.

For countries where this is not the case there are a number of solutions that could alleviate the experiences faced by workers who lose their jobs due to automation. I would also suggest that governments actively encourage investment by companies in their workforce when a worker’s position ends. One possible path is for companies to offer up skilling to suitable employees so that they can work in other areas of the company, for example in different departments. Another alternative is to offer retraining in the skills needed in the tech economy, for example, basic IT training.   This could increase a person’s employability, not just to the existing company, but to the economy as a whole.

 ielts-jonathan.com

Words 231

Discuss Both Sides  Task 2 Response

In some cultures and traditions saving money is highly valued by its citizens. Both governments and parents encourage their young to follow a pattern where money is saved and invested in the long term and where value is placed on the importance of planning for the future and security. In many cases, this planning is related to providing a family house, education for future children and security for the country.

In contrast some cultures and some individuals tend to take a short term view and place an emphasis on enjoying the moment. While there is no evidence that these people value property, education or security any less than others, they are more likely to purchase consumer items that satisfy their personal needs and are more likely to borrow money for larger items such as holidays or new cars rather than save.

While I tend to prefer the idea of saving rather than borrowing, I am not against the idea of spending money to satisfy a personal need if a person is in control and can manage their money.  I strongly believe that a balance between the two is required, one where debt does not place undue stress or pressure on the individual and the second where thrift does not deny any enjoyment in life. It is important to plan for the future but it is also important to treat one’s self occasionally.        

ielts-jonathan.com

Word 237

Theme Task 2 Response

Now that technology has entered almost every part of modern life, it is important that children gain an understanding of the internet and technology from an early age, provided the activities are monitored carefully by their parents.

There are many benefits to be aware of in the technology around us and encouraging children to use technology from a young age is generally a good trend.  Often younger people can astound older people with their skills and knowledge when using technology. Younger people it seems learn easier and are more open to new things. As technology is likely to dominate a child’s life more in the future, it is important that children are able to keep pace with the trends in technology and it is best to learn about this from an early age. 

However, while using technology can be seen as developmental it should not be used as a replacement for good parenting or education or as an excuse for parents to shun responsibilities as numerous medical evidence points to the harmful effects and dependency of too much screen time. I believe that children should always have rules and there should be strict guidelines on the use of technology, for example, parents should limit the amount of screen time a child has and decide when children should take breaks. In my opinion, there should even be technology free days to discourage dependence on such devices and encourage a balance between traditional education and play.

ielts-jonathan.com

Word 242

Best Wishes, Jonathan

The Best Approach to Task 2 Writing

Paragraphing in Task 2 Writing

Strong Arguments for Task 2

Writing the Introduction

Writing a Line of Argument

Cohesion for Task 2 Writing

Writing – Benefits of a Foreign University Education