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Writing Task 2 Sample
IELTS Writing Task 2 ( also known as IELTS Essay Writing ) is the second task of your IELTS Writing test. Here, you will be presented with an essay topic and you will be scored based on your ability to respond to the topic.
You need to write at least 250 words and justify your opinion with arguments, discussion, examples, problem outlining, proposing possible solutions and supporting your position. You will have approximately 40 minutes to finish your Essay Writing. IELTS Writing Task 2 carries more weights than Writing Task 1.
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IELTS practice Academic Writing test - Task 2
Write about the following topic:
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
You have now reached the end of your Writing test; download the answers and see how well you have done.
IELTS Preparation with Liz: Free IELTS Tips and Lessons, 2023
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IELTS Writing Task 2: Tips, Lessons & Models
Success in IELTS writing task 2 is based on using the right techniques. These free tips, model essays, lessons, videos and information will help develop the skills for writing task 2. This page will teach you how to maximise your IELTS writing task 2 score.
All lessons are on this page are for both GT and Academic writing task 2.
On this page, you will find for free:
- Test Information for Writing Task 2
- Practice essay questions
- Essential tips for IELTS writing task 2
- Free video lessons
- Model essays
- Practice lessons to improve your IELTS essay writing (paraphrasing, skills, ideas, spelling etc
Although some lessons are dated from years ago, all lessons and tips are 100% relevant to IELTS writing task 2 today.
1. IELTS Writing Task 2 Test Information
Learn about your IELTS writing task 2 test.
- IELTS recommend you spend no more than 40 mins on writing task 2. However, the time is yours to manage as you wish.
- You should write over 250 words. In the lessons below you will learn about word count and essay length.
- Learn how your total writing score is calculated: Total Writing Score Calculations
- Task Response (25%)
- Coherence & Cohesion (25%)
- Vocabulary (25%)
- Grammar (25%)
- For band score tips and details, see this page: IELTS Writing Task 2 Band Scores
- Academic writing task 2 is a formal essay. 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 way and the scoring is the same. The only difference is that GT essay questions are often easier and topics are simpler.
- All words will be counted, even small or repeated words. See this page: How Words are Counted
- COMPUTER DELIVERED IELTS: See the following link to read Pros and Cons of Computer Based IELTS :
- For more information about IELTS test rules and info, see this page: IELTS Test FAQ
2. IELTS Practice Essay Questions
Practice essay questions to help you prepare ideas for topics in IELTS writing task 2. These questions have been written based on questions reported by IELTS students. They are not IELTS tests.
Over 100 IELTS Essay Questions
3. Essential IELTS Writing Task 2 Tips
The most important writing tips for a strong IELTS essay in writing task 2. Learn about the recommended essay length, how to plan your essay, when to give your opinion and how to write an introduction etc.
How many paragraphs for an IELTS essay? : Essay structure
Key Linking Words List : Academic Vocabulary
Types of IELTS Essays : Main Essay Types in Writing Task 2
Video: How to write an introduction paragraph : Complete lesson
Essay Planning Tips : How to plan your IELTS essay
Common Essay Topics : 20 Most Common Essay Topics
Video: Essay Length Advice : How long should your essay be?
Video: Official Writing Answer Sheet Tips : Using the answer sheet
When to give your opinion : Opinion Essay Tips
Video Using the last 5 minutes : Exam technique tips
Video: Paraphrasing Tips
Finding Ideas : Developing ideas for essay topics
4. More Video & Tips for Writing Task 2
- Deleting Words in your Essay
- Should I indent the first word of my paragraphs?
- 10 sentences to avoid in your IELTS essay
- Video: How to add examples to your essay
- Tips: Under Words Penalty
- Do advantages outweigh disadvantages tips?
- Video: How to give your opinion
- Can you use quotes, idioms or proverbs in your essay?
- Handwriting: Using cursive writing or not
- Essay Questions from 2016
- Writing a Long Introduction: Good or Bad?
- Video : Single-sex & Mixed Schools
- Video : Grammar – How to Add a Clause
- Video : Grammar – Connecting Sentences
- Video : Conclusion Linkers
- Video : Discussion Essay Useful Language
- Video : Using the Last 5 Minutes Tips
- Video : Should Ideas be Interesting?
All Free IELTS Writing Task 2 Videos Lessons
5. Model Essays
Sample essays for IELTS writing task 2. These high score model essays will help you understand how to answer the essay questions and how to structure your writing.
- Agree Disagree Opinion Essay: Health
- Advantages & Disadvantages Essay: Language
- Cause Solution Essay: Crime & Punishment
- Direct Questions Essay: Happiness
- Opinion Essay: Social Media
- Discussion Essay: Work
- Direct Questions Essay: Family
- Direct Questions Essay: Art
- Positive or Negative Development: Social Media
- 2 Model Essays about Economy & Money /Buildings
- Model Essay & Question for Topic of Education
6. Practice Lessons for Writing Task 2
Develop your IELTS writing skills and get useful ideas for many essay questions. Lessons are in order of date and new lessons will be added over time.
- IELTS Essay Topics Prediction 2022
- Grammar Test : Using “the” with countries and nationalities
- Paraphrasing Practice 1
- Paraphrasing Practice 2
- Paraphrasing Practice 3
- Essay Questions for 2017 – questions reported in the test this year.
- Using Passive Voice for Giving Opinions
- Essay Ideas: Employment Competition
- Writing Skills: Paraphrasing Practice
- Writing Skills: Improving Sentences (2)
- Essay Ideas: The Importance of History
- Essay Ideas: Housing & Trees
- Essay Ideas: International Aid
- Essay Ideas: City Transport
- Essay Ideas: Salaries
- Essay Ideas: Function of Schools
- Essay Ideas: Female Staff in Senior Positions
- Writing Skills: Punctuation Practice
- Writing Skills: Linking Word Practice
- Essay Ideas: Littering in Cities
- Listen and Write Dictation: Natural Disasters
- Discussion Essay with Feedback: Music Topic
- Writing Skills: Improving Sentences: Ebooks Topic
- Essay Ideas: Banning Mobile Phones
- Two Question Essay with Feedback: Judging Business Success
- Essay Ideas: Tourism and Local Communities
- Essay Ideas: Traffic & Pollution
- Writing Skills: Improving a Thesis Statement
- Writing Skills: Improving Sentences (1)
- Essay Ideas: Handwriting Skills
- Essay Ideas: Promoting to Children
- Essay Ideas: Older or Younger Leaders
- Writing Skills: Introduction Feedback
- Writing Skill: Opinion Essay Introduction Feedback
- Writing Skills: Opinion Essay Body Paragraphs
- Writing Skills: Opinion Essay Introduction
- Writing Skills: Opinion Essay Finding Main Points
- Writing Skills: Thesis Statement
- Essay Ideas: Public Services .
………………
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Writing Task 2 Advanced Lessons & E-books. Target 7, 8 & 9. CLICK HERE: VISIT LIZ'S STORE

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IELTS Writing task 2 recent questions
In this article, we outline over 250 recent IELTS Writing task 2 sample questions.
What is the basic structure for IELTS writing task 2 in the IELTS exam?
In your IELTS exam , the writing task is split into two parts and task 2 is worth 66% of your score. So, you should allocate 40 minutes to writing it. On the official British Council site there are pdfs that state it must contain at least 250 words, however in the official criteria there is no mention of 250 words.
For a FREE ebook PDF of our top 10 sample essays, click here!
Take a look at some common essay topics for IELTS task 2 test below:
Below are past essay questions from previous years as seen by students in their exams. These sample questions will help you prepare and better know what to expect in your task 2 exam. Feel free to send us your task 2 questions if you have recently taken the IELTS exam:
Band 9 essay about education (includes ex-ielts examiner commentary)
Recent Writing Task 2 Questions: January 2023
Recent writing task 2 questions: october 2022, recent task 2 questions: july 2022, january to march 2022 recent task 2 questions, october to december 2021 sample task 2 questions, september 2021 sample task 2 questions, february / march 2021 sample task 2 questions, january 2021 sample task 2 questions.
Take a look at some of our IELTS vocabulary to help you write about the above topics.
October/November 2020 task 2 sample questions
Latest ielts writing task 2 topics : august 2020 .
2. Governments in many countries have recently introduced special taxes on foods and beverages with high levels of sugar. Some think these taxes are a good idea while others disagree. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
5. Most people prefer shopping in supermarkets nowadays. How does this affect the local shops? What are the positive and negative impacts of this development?
8. Many people argue that eating junk food has led to an unhealthy lifestyle. This problem has become more common among young people these days. Do you agree or disagree that junk food is the cause of the issue?
March 2020 task 2 questions
1. Some people think that young people should go to university to further their education while others think they should be encouraged to work as car mechanics or builders etc.to serve society. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
4. Many people believe that countries should produce food for the whole population and import as little food as possible. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
7. Countries with long average working hours are economically more successful than those countries which do not work long hours. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
10. Some people think that music plays an important role in society. Others think it is simply a form of entertainment. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

January 2020 task 2 essay questions
October 2019 recent exam task 2 questions, september 2019 task 2 sample questions, august 2019 task 2 questions, june 2019 task 2 questions, january 2019 task 2 questions, writing task 2 questions (december 2018), task 2 questions (november 2018), task 2 questions (october 2018), writing task 2 questions (september 2018), writing task 2 questions (august 2018), latest writing task 2 questions (july 2018) (education), latest writing task 2 questions (july 2018), video: recent 2022 questions and sample answers for ielts writing task 2, frequently asked questions (faq), how to write ielts writing task 2, how to generate ideas for writing task 2, for more help with your ielts tutorials, take a look at our tutorials here:.
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IELTS Writing Samples
One of the most misunderstood aspects of IELTS preparation is how to use IELTS writing samples.
IELTS Writing Sample Answers: How should I use them?
IELTS Writing sample answers are great because they provide a good model for comparing your writing. However, reading lots of them will not make you a better writer.
Think about it this way, how many millions of people watch world-class footballers like Messi and Ronaldo every week? Does it improve their football skills? Maybe if they go and practice what they learned, but not a bit if they do nothing.
To really improve, you have to actively use the Writing Task 2 sample answer below, not passively read them and then expect to magically improve. Follow the plan of action below.
Plan of Action
- Read the questions, but DO NOT read the sample answers. Even taking a brief look at the question will influence your answer.
- Attempt the answer under exam conditions.
- Compare what you have with the sample answer.
- Think about the ideas, structure, organisation, vocabulary, and grammar. It is important that you really think deeply about how the author used each of the elements above.
- Don’t worry if your answer is very different. There are many different ways to answer a Task 2 question.
- Go back and improve your original answer with some of the IELTS Task 2 sample answer elements.
100 Task 2 Sample Questions
If you don’t want IELTS Writing sample answers and want to look at lots of practice questions, here is a list of over 100 of them:
You can find some more sample questions on the official IELTS website and the British Council site .
Answers with Examiner’s Reports
To give you an insight into how the examiner marks your test, here are some Task 2 answers with the examiner’s comments at the end.
Student’s Band 9 Answer
Childcare Discussion Essay and Examiner’s Report
Student’s Band 6 Answer and Examiner’s Report
Agree or Disagree Samples
In these questions, you are given a statement and asked if you agree or disagree with it. They are also sometimes called ‘Opinion’ questions.
Task Two Agree or Disagree Sample Essays
Every Year Several Languages Die Out- Task 2 Sample Answer
Student’s Essay on Voluntary Service
An Essay Most Students Got Wrong
Languages Agree or Disagree Essay
Compulsory Voluntary Work in High School
To what extent do you agree or disagree?- Technology
Agree or Disagree- Arts at Primary School Level
Agree or Disagree- Online Lectures
Positive or Negative Development- Shopping
Environmental Essay with Short Introduction and Conclusion
Railway vs Road Essay
Every Year Several Languages Die Out
Discussion Samples
In these questions, you are given two opposing points of view and asked to discuss both of them and give your opinion.
Balanced Approach
Some people say that the best way to improve public health is by increasing the number of sports facilities.
Discussion and Opinion (University Education)
Discussion Essay- Student Rewards
Childcare Discussion Essay Good and Bad Example
Discuss Both Views- Mixed Schools
Discuss Both Views Sample Answer- Changing Jobs
Teenage Years – IELTS Task 2 Essay
Aim of Education – IELTS Task 2 Sample Answer
Yumiko’s Band 9 Essay
Advantages and Disadvantages Samples
In these questions, you are normally given one issue and asked to discuss the positive and negative sides of that issue.
Advantages and Disadvantages Essay- Multinational Companies
Surveillance Essay
Problem/Causes and Solutions Samples
Sometimes you are asked about the problems that a certain issue causes, and sometimes you are asked about the causes of a certain problem. An important distinction, as you will see below.
Causes and Solutions- Health and Fitness
Good and Bad Example- Old and Young People in the Job Market
A Problem Solution Essay
IELTS Task 2 Band 9 Sample Essay- Student Behaviour
Double Questions
An increasingly common question gives one issue and then asks two separate questions about it.
Double Questions Sample Answer- Technology
Physical Appearance
Self-Driving Cars
Free Study Plan

Video Lesson: How THIS student scored a Band 8.5 in IELTS Writing
In this video, my student will reveal how she scored a Band 8.5 in IELTS Writing, sharing the EXACT answer she wrote on her exam day.
We’ll break down her essay step-by-step, talking about the ways she used vocabulary to score high, came up with strong ideas and much more:

Need more help with IELTS Writing Task 2?
No problem – scroll down or visit our Writing Task 2 page for more resources to help you get ready for your exam.
I recently posted a video lesson which covers the key things I’ve learned from marking 10,000+ IELTS essays over the years. Watch a Writing Task 2 lesson or visit our youtube channel for more video lessons like this one.
The articles below contain some of our most comprehensive guides to Writing Task 2:
- Writing Task 2: 8 Steps to Success
This article is unique to anything we’ve published before. Read it now to access our 61-page Task 2 strategy.
- How to Plan an Essay
Making a good plan actually saves you time when you write your essay. If you don’t plan, you are more likely to get lost halfway through your essay, and the result is normally a very confusing piece of writing that is difficult to read. This guide will show you how to write a clear essay every time.
- How to Think of Relevant Ideas
Thinking of good ideas is one of the most challenging parts of the test for some people. This guide provides 5 different methods to help you quickly think of relevant ideas that are directly linked to the question.
- How to Write a Complex Sentence
Complex sentences help you boost your score for grammar. Complex sentences are very simple to write and not complex in this article; we show you how.
- How to Paraphrase
Paraphrasing is one of the essential IELTS skills, not just in Writing Task 2 but in all parts of the IELTS test. You should paraphrase the question in every essay, and I recommend doing this in the very first sentence to help boost your vocabulary score.
- How to Write a Supporting Paragraph
Supporting paragraphs are the main body paragraphs and are the meat in the sandwich. This is where you provide the detail the examiner is looking for in the form of explanations and examples.

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.

TOTAL-IELTS Preparation : Free information, lessons, strategies, tips and sample answers.
Writing task 2 sample answers.
In this section I will discuss the common question types for task 2: The requirements and structure for each task, along with sample answers. You can also download a PDF sample answer for each question type.
Click on the question types
Agree or Disagree
The questions “Do you agree or disagree?” and “To what extent do you agree?” are exactly the same and can be answered in the same way. Downloadable PDF sample answer.
Advantages and Disadvantages
This popular question requires you to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a statement. You are NOT asked for your opinion or position and you should never give it in your answer. Downloadable PDF sample answer.
Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
The task requires you to give your opinion (level of agreement) about a statement. The key word here is “outweigh” . This means you are expected to take a position (give your opinion). Downloadable PDF sample answer.
Discuss both points of view and give your opinion
This essay combines discussion with opinion. You are required to discuss both views and state your own opinion all with supporting details. Downloadable PDF sample answer.
Causes and Solutions
This question type requires you to identify causes or reasons of an issue and offer solutions. The topics are usually social and nothing controversial. The wording of the questions can vary. Downloadable PDF sample answer.
Causes and Effects
This question type is very similar to causes and solutions and requires you to identify causes or reasons of an issue or problem and discuss the effects it has. Downloadable PDF sample answer.
Multiple Questions
The task requires you to answer questions about a statement. There are usually 2 questions and the topics are usually social. You might be required to answer 3 questions but this is very rare. Downloadable PDF sample answer.
Positive or Negative Development
The task requires you to give your opinion in response to a statement. There are 2 possible positions to take which you should state clearly in your introduction and expand in your body paragraphs. Downloadable PDF sample answer.
Mixed Questions
Mixed questions are tasks that combine the instructions from the main types above. They are very common in task 2 but candidates often get confused because they don’t conform to the main question types. Downloadable PDF sample answer.

english course, online writing courses, online english speaking for IELTS
Ielts writing task 2 (ielts sample essays).
IELTS Writing Task 2 requires you to write at least 250 words. You will be presented with a topic and will be tested on your ability to respond by giving and justifying an opinion, discussing the topic, summarizing details, outlining problems, identifying possible solutions and supporting what you write with reasons, arguments and relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. The assessment of Task 2 carries more weight in marking than Task 1. Writing scripts are marked by trained and certificated IELTS examiners, who all hold relevant teaching qualifications and are recruited as examiners by the test centres and approved by British Council or IDP: IELTS Australia.
Exam Preparation
Ielts preparation, ielts sample charts (ielts writing task 1).
The Writing Task 1 of the IELTS Academic test requires you to write a summary of at least 150 words in response to a particular graph (bar, line or pie graph), table, chart, or process (how something works, how something is done). This task tests your ability to select and report the main features, to describe and compare data, identify significance and trends in factual information, or describe a process.
IELTS Sample Letters (IELTS Writing Task 1)
The purpose of this section is to help you with the Writing Task 1 of the IELTS General test. In Task 1, candidates are asked to respond to a given problem with a letter requesting information or explaining a situation. It is suggested that about 20 minutes is spent on Task 1, which requires candidates to write at least 150 words. Depending on the task suggested, candidates are assessed on their ability to:
- engage in personal correspondence - elicit and provide general factual information - express needs, wants, likes and dislikes - express opinions (views, complaints etc.)
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- Academic practice
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- Task 1 Academic
- Task 1 General
- Task 2 (essay)
Common IELTS Writing task 2 questions
- Remember the ideal answer structure;
- Overcome your writing weaknesses (such as grammar mistakes);
- Remember some key ideas and vocabulary for each topic, so you don’t get confused on the exam.
Questions are divided by themes.
Task 2 questions by theme:
Art (3 questions)
Education (8 questions)
Environment (10 questions)
Friends and family (7 questions)
Government and society (7 questions)
Health (6 questions)
Jobs and Employment (7 questions)
Relationships (5 questions)
Science and technology (5 questions)
Sport (4 questions)
Travel and tourism (5 questions)
TV, music and media (6 questions)

IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Writing Task 2 Sample IELTS Writing Task 2 ( also known as IELTS Essay Writing) is the second task of your IELTS Writing test. Here, you will be presented with an essay topic and you will be scored based on your ability to respond to the topic.
Task 2 Write about the following topic: Learning English at school is often seen as more important than learning local languages. If these are not taught, many are at risk of dying out. In your opinion, is it important for everyone to learn English? Should we try to ensure the survival of local languages and, if so, how?
Sample essays for IELTS writing task 2. These high score model essays will help you understand how to answer the essay questions and how to structure your writing. Agree Disagree Opinion Essay: Health Advantages & Disadvantages Essay: Language Cause Solution Essay: Crime & Punishment Direct Questions Essay: Happiness Opinion Essay: Social Media
Task 2 statements are often a paraphrasing of the initial question. Support your opinion: Once you have made your opinion clear, you have to provide facts to justify your choice State the opposing point of you. You do not have to persuade the examiner about the opposing opinion, but it is important to state what it is. Summarise your opinion.
Task Two Agree or Disagree Sample Essays Every Year Several Languages Die Out- Task 2 Sample Answer Student’s Essay on Voluntary Service An Essay Most Students Got Wrong Languages Agree or Disagree Essay Compulsory Voluntary Work in High School To what extent do you agree or disagree?- Technology Agree or Disagree- Arts at Primary School Level
Band 8 and 9 sample answers for all the IELTS Writing Task 2 essay types. Learn the structure and requirements for all IELTS essays.
The assessment of Task 2 carries more weight in marking than Task 1. Writing scripts are marked by trained and certificated IELTS examiners, who all hold relevant teaching qualifications and are recruited as examiners by the test centres and approved by British Council or IDP: IELTS Australia. Exam Preparation IELTS Writing Task 2 #247 Social media
Overcome your writing weaknesses (such as grammar mistakes); Remember some key ideas and vocabulary for each topic, so you don’t get confused on the exam. Questions are divided by themes. Task 2 questions by theme: Art (3 questions) Education (8 questions) Environment (10 questions) Friends and family (7 questions) Government and society (7 ...