The document outlines the essential structures for writing high-scoring IELTS Task 2 essays, detailing different question types such as opinion, advantages and disadvantages, and problem and solution. It emphasizes the importance of a logical essay structure including introductions, main body paragraphs, and conclusions tailored to each question type. Additionally, it provides strategies for analyzing essay questions by identifying keywords, micro-keywords, and action words to clarify the topics to be addressed.

1. IELTS Writing Task 2
Essay Structures

2. In order to get a great score on the
IELTS Writing Exam, you need to be
able to structure your essay logically.
Fortunately, this is easy.
Here is the basic structure:

3. Choosing a Structure
You can’t just learn one basic structure, but there are a
limited number that you need to learn.
The five most common IELTS Writing Task 2 questions are:
 Opinion (Agree or Disagree)
 Advantages and Disadvantages
 Problem and Solution
 Discussion (Discuss both view)
 Two-part Question
We will look at each of these in turn.

4. Common Question Words
 What is your opinion?
 Do you agree or disagree?
 To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Example Question
Maintaining public libraries is a waste of time since
computer technology is now replacing their functions.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

5. Structure
Introduction
Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question
Sentence 2- Thesis Statement (This essay will argue that…)
Sentence 3- Outline Sentence (This essay will discuss….)
Main Body Paragraph 1
Sentence 1- Topic Sentence
Sentence 2- Explain Topic Sentence
Sentence 3- Example
Sentence 4- Concession
Main Body Paragraph 2
--Same as Para 1--
Conclusion
Sentence 1- Summary
Sentence 2- Recommendation or Prediction

6. Typical Question Words
 Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
 Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your
own opinion.
Example Question
People now have the freedom to work and live anywhere in
the world due to the development of communication
technology and transportation.
Do the advantages of this development outweigh the
disadvantages?

7. Structure
Introduction
Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question
Sentence 2- Outline Sentence
Main Body Paragraph 1
Sentence 1- State One Advantage
Sentence 2- Expand/Explain Advantage
Sentence 3- Example
Sentence 4- Result
Main Body Paragraph 2
--Same as Para 1--
Conclusion
Sentence 1- Summary
Sentence 2- Opinion

8. Typical Question Words
 Discuss both sides of this argument…
 Discuss both points of view...
Example Question
Some people believe that higher education should be
funded by the government. Others, however, argue that it
is the responsibility of individuals to fund their higher
education.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.

9. Structure
Introduction
Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question and/or state both view
points.
Sentence 2- Thesis Statement
Sentence 3- Outline Sentence
Main Body Paragraph 1
Sentence 1- State first viewpoint
Sentence 2- Discuss first viewpoint
Sentence 3- Reason why you agree or disagree with viewpoint
Sentence 4- Example to support your view
Main Body Paragraph 2
--Same as Para 1--
Conclusion
Sentence 1- Summary
Sentence 2- State which one is better or more important

10. Typical Question Words
 Problem and solution.
 Cause and solution.
Example Question
Students are becoming more and more reliant on
computers.
What are some of the problems associated with reliance on
computers, and what are some of the possible solutions?

11. Structure
Introduction
Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question
Sentence 2- Outline Sentence
Main Body Paragraph 1
Sentence 1- State Problem
Sentence 2- Explain problem
Sentence 3- Result
Sentence 4- Example
Main Body Paragraph 2
Sentence 1- State Solution
Sentence 2- Explain Solution
Sentence 3- Example
Conclusion
Sentence 1- Summary
Sentence 2- Recommendation or Prediction

12. Typical Question Words
 There will normally be a statement and they will then
ask you to answer two separate questions.
Example Question
Happiness is considered very important in life.
Why is it difficult to define?
What factors are important in achieving happiness?

13. Structure
Introduction
Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question
Sentence 2- Outline Sentence (mention both questions)
Main Body Paragraph 1
Sentence 1- Answer first question directly
Sentence 2- Explain why
Sentence 3- Further explain
Sentence 4- Example
Main Body Paragraph 2
--Same as Para 1--
Conclusion
Sentence 1- Summary

14. So what next….?

15. Plan
 Take your time to read the
question.
 Think carefully about your
answer.
 Brainstorm lots of ideas.
 Cull to the best ideas.

17. Analysing the Question
Take your time to think about three important things:
 keywords
 micro-keywords
 action words
Keywords tell us the main topic.
Micro-keywords refine the main topic to a few specific
ideas or areas that we should talk about.
Action words tell us what we should do.

18. Analysing the Question
Let’s look at an example question.
Global warming is one of the biggest threats humans
face in the 21st Century and sea levels are continuing
to rise at alarming rates.
What problems are associated with this and what are
some possible solutions.
What are the keywords, micro-keywords, and action words?

19. Analysing the Question
 The keywords are ‘global warming‘. This is our general
topic. We are going to write about this, but we cannot
write about just any problems associated with global
warming.
 The micro-keywords are ‘humans‘ and ‘sea level rise‘.
So instead of writing just about the huge topic of global
warming and any problems associated with that, we
have to talk about how sea level rises will
affect humans.
 The action words are problems and solutions. Our task
is therefore to write about that and only that. It does not
ask our opinion or about the disadvantages and
advantages or about the causes, just the problems and
solutions.

20. Some ideas
 Problem: flooding of people’s homes and businesses
 Solution: build flood barriers or move to higher areas
 Problem: loss of agricultural land and starvation
 Solution: switch to more suitable crops
 Problem: displacement of millions of people
 Solution: move people in a planned and orderly way
before the floods
 Problem: ground water undrinkable
 Solution: build desalination plants

21. Making Notes
How to plan your ideas before writing

22. Use the Hamburger Method

23. But… keep it
simple. Don’t
get too
complicated…
Remember,
you only have
to write 250
words.

24. Practice
Make a plan for the following topic:
 Some people say that excessive noise should be a
criminal offence, while others say they should be free to
make noise without limitation.
 Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

25.  Some of the material contained in this document has
been adapted from here.
 Check out this site for other IELTS resources.