IELTS Writing Task 2: a band-7 essay

Hi! In this lesson you'll learn how to build a Task 2 essay that examiners can score highly. Not by using fancy words, but by giving them exactly what the marking criteria ask for.

The task in numbers

Here's the task in numbers. You have about forty minutes. You must write at least two hundred and fifty words. And Task 2 counts twice as much as Task 1, so this is where your writing score is decided.

What the examiner scores

The examiner scores four things, each worth a quarter. Task Response: did you actually answer the question. Coherence and Cohesion: is it logically organised. Lexical Resource: your range of vocabulary. And grammar: range and accuracy. Most students lose points on the first one without realising it.

• Task Response: Did you answer the question?
• Coherence & Cohesion: Is it organised?
• Lexical Resource: Range of vocabulary
• Grammar: Range and accuracy

Spend your 40 minutes like this

Here's how to spend your forty minutes. The first five: read carefully, decide your opinion, and plan two main ideas. The next thirty: write. The last five: check for small mistakes like articles, verb forms and spelling. Planning feels slow, but it's what stops you from running out of ideas halfway.

Four paragraphs, every time

Use four paragraphs every time. An introduction that paraphrases the question and states your position. Two body paragraphs, each with one main idea. And a short conclusion that restates your position. Simple, predictable structure is exactly what scores well.

• Introduction: Paraphrase + your position
• Body 1: First main idea
• Body 2: Second main idea
• Conclusion: Restate your position

Today's question

Let's use a real question. Some people think university students should study whatever they like. Others believe they should only study useful subjects, like science and technology. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Notice the task has three parts: view one, view two, and your opinion.

Writing the introduction

Your introduction needs just two sentences. First, paraphrase the question in your own words. Don't copy it. Second, state your position clearly. Here the opinion is: students should follow their interests, as long as they also build practical skills. Now the examiner knows exactly what you're going to argue.

Body paragraphs: PEEL

For each body paragraph, use PEEL. Point: one clear topic sentence. Explain: why it's true. Example: something specific, even a short scenario. Link: connect it back to the question. One idea, fully developed, is worth more than three ideas mentioned in passing.

• Point: One clear topic sentence
• Explain: Why it's true
• Example: Something specific
• Link: Back to the question

Find the weak sentence

Here's a student's introduction. One sentence is empty and costs marks. Tap it.

Your turn

Your turn. The question says: discuss both views and give your own opinion. What exactly must you do?

Put the essay in order

Put the parts of the essay in the right order. Tap two items to swap them.

Fill the gaps

A quick recap. Fill in the gaps.

You can now

Great work! You can now plan and time a Task 2 essay, write a sharp two-sentence introduction, and build body paragraphs with PEEL. Practise with one question a day and it becomes automatic.

• Plan and time a Task 2 essay
• Write a two-sentence introduction
• Build body paragraphs with PEEL