101 Helpful Hints for IELTS
WRITING TASK 2
UNDERSTAND WRITING TASK 2
Writing Task 2 is more important than Writing Task 1. Writing Task 2 counts more towards your
overall IELTS Writing Test Band Score than Writing Task 1. However, you must complete both
tasks to get an accurate Band Score. You are strongly advised to spend only 20 minutes on Writing
Task 1 before turning your attention to Writing Task 2. It is a mistake to spend longer than the advised
time on Task 1. You will definitely need 40 minutes on Writing Task 2, and you should leave some
time at the end of the hour to check your work in both tasks. (See Writing Hints 65 and 81.) Note
that you do not have to attempt Task 1 first. You can answer Task 2 first, if you wish.
The task requirement for Task 2 is that you write an essay or report of not less than 250 words on
a given topic of general interest. An essay is a literary composition on a particular subject. A report
is a formal account made after investigation of a subject, but for the purposes of the IELTS Writing
Test, a report can be written in the style appropriate for an essay. Therefore, in Task 2, an essay or
report can be either an argument regarding a topic, or an account of a situation regarding a topic.
This task assesses not only your ability to write, but also your ability to think about and discuss an
issue of some kind. It is, therefore, important that you have ideas and opinions on a wide range of
subjects of general interest, which means that you should be well-read and informed about most of
the popular and controversial issues that are debated in the media these days. Sometimes, the IELTS
Writing Task 2 topics are of educational interest, in which case your personal knowledge and
experience of the topic may be relevant, but be careful not to write about your personal experiences;
use them instead to talk generally and objectively about the topic. In addition, you will need to
present your thoughts in an organised and orderly way.
There are five steps in the process of writing an essay for the IELTS Writing Test:
STEP 1. ANALYSE THE QUESTION (approx. 1 minute)
The Writing Task 2 questions are of 2 basic types. In this book we will refer to them as Type A and
Type B questions.
Type A Questions
Firstly, there are questions requiring an argument as an answer. Essays that contain an argument
are those in which your opinions regarding a topic are essential, as is your understanding and
presentation of conflicting opinions. You should consider the argument as having two sides (usually

TEST Describe some of the problems that overpopulation causes, and suggest at least one
TWO possible solution.
TEST Discuss the causes and some effects of widespread drug use by young people in modern
THREE
day society. Make any recommendations you feel are necessary to help fight youth drug
abuse.
TEST To what extent is nuclear technology a danger to life on Earth? What are the benefits and
FOUR
risks associated with its use?
Consideration of the Question
It will help when planning your answer to consider the Writing Task 2 questions as being written in
either wh/how, or yes/no question form. The latter is especially helpful when considering a Type A
(argument) question because it makes it easier to determine the opposing sides of the argument.
• Look at the Task 2 questions for Writing Tests One to Four below:
TEST ... becomes a yes/no question:
ONE
Studying the English language in an English-speaking country is the best, but is it the only
way to learn the language?
TEST ... becomes a wh question:
TWO
What problems does overpopulation cause? Can you suggest at least one possible solution?
TEST ... becomes two wh questions:
THREE
What are the causes and effects of widespread drug use by young people in modern day
society. What recommendations do you feel are necessary to help fight youth drug abuse?
TEST ... becomes a yes/no question (and the original wh question):
FOUR
Is nuclear technology a danger to life on Earth? What are the benefits and risks associated
with its use?
65

High-School fUni/
Students- muust work/ hard-
Study and/living-costs-
grcwnmar - skM/ good/ for later
reasonable level of English
possible in home country if:
- student is gifted and
dedicated
do not have to worry about:
- accommodation costs
- study and living costs
- daily survival stress
HIGH SCHOOL /UNI
EDUCATION IN
HOME COUNTRY
STUDENT'S
SKILLS
TOPIC
Studying English in
an English-speaking
country: is it the
only way?
LESS STRESS IN
HOME COUNTRY
- spoken English not good
- grammar often advanced
- skill useful later overseas
ADVANTAGES OF
ENGLISH-SPEAKING
COUNTRY

(approx. 40 words)
BODY:
PARAGRAPH 1:
(approx. 60 words)
PARAGRAPH 2:
(approx. 60 words)
PARAGRAPH 3:
(approx. 60 words)
CONCLUSION:
(approx. 30 words)
It is the best, but
(NO + REASONS)
(NO + REASONS)
(BEST WAY
+ REASONS)
(NO + REASONS)
250 words (minimum)
is (the topic) the only way?
= there are advantages of English study (in Britain?)
BUT my opinion -»NO, not the only way + REASONS
= students can learn English at high school (and university)
- grammar skills often advanced, but speaking poor
- good grammar will assist later (in Britain?)
= English study at home less stressful and fewer problems:
- with accommodation
- with study and living costs
- with daily survival in foreign country
= advantages of English study in Britain
- can practise listening to / speaking with native speakers
- can experience the culture (assists language study)

3:
Overpopulation
What problems does
(PROBLEMS:
CAUSES/EFFECTS)
(PROBLEMS:
CAUSES/EFFECTS)
(SOLUTIONS)
PLAN
(the topic) cause?
(Test Two)
Suggest at least one possible solution
TOPIC:
TYPE
INTRO:
PARA.
B
0
PARA.
D
PARA.
CONC:
1:
2:
3:
Widespread drug use by
What are the causes and
(CAUSES)
(CAUSES)
(EFFECTS)

ONE therefore, a good idea to study English in a country such as Britain. However. I believe
it is not the only way to learn the language.
TEST In most countries of the world the population is increasing alarmingly. This is especially
TWO true in poor, undeveloped countries. Overpopulation causes a considerable number of
problems.
TEST Youth drug abuse is a serious problem nowadays in many cultures. Not only is illegal
THREE
drug use on the rise , but the children as young as ten years old are experimenting with alcohol
and tobacco. The reasons for this behaviour are unclear, but certain sociologists blame the
examples set by their elders.
TEST These days, many people are afraid of nuclear technology because of the dangers
FOUR
associated with its use. In my opinion, although it is true that nuclear weapons pose the
greatest threat to life, the use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes also carries some
serious risks.
The topic sentence of each introduction (shown in bold print) states the main idea of the paragraph,
and introduces the theme of the essay itself. The ideas within the paragraphs are joined together with
connective or linking words (shown underlined). In all these examples, the topic sentence is the first
sentence of each paragraph. It does not always need to be the first sentence, but it makes the
paragraph easier to write. (See also Reading Hint 42.) Notice how the topic sentences are clear,
simple, interesting and informative. (See also Writing Hint 62.)
Tests One and Four are answers to Type A questions (argument essays). Note that the writer's
opinion is given in the introduction.
In all introductions the sentences following the topic sentence give the reader an idea of how the rest
of the essay is constructed. They function similarly to a "map" of the essay, although, as in the
examples above, the map need not be complete in a short IELTS essay. (See also Writing Hint 68.)
The final sentence of the introduction leads naturally into the first body paragraph
The Body
• Look at the first body paragraphs of the Task 2 model answers for Writing Tests One to Four:
TEST In the first place, most students in non-English-speaking countries learn English at