This document provides information about IELTS Writing Task 2, including common topics, question types, and the structure and steps for writing an effective essay response. It outlines the four criteria used to evaluate essays: task response, coherence/cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range/accuracy. Some common IELTS Writing Task 2 question types are discussed, along with frequent topics. Guidelines are provided for understanding the question, planning a response, and constructing an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

1. IELTS WRITING TASK 2

2. Criteria Evaluation
1. Task Response: Your ability to answer the question,
support and develop your ideas and present a clear
position.
2. Coherence and Cohesion: Your ability to logically
organize your essay and the ideas within the essay,
and to use appropriate cohesive devices to do this.
3. Lexical Resource: Your ability to use a range of
vocabulary and your ability to use it accurately.
4. Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Your ability to use a
range and variety of sentence structures and the
accuracy you have with your grammar.

3. The five most common IELTS Writing Task 2
questions are:
1. Opinion (Agree or Disagree)
2. Advantages and Disadvantages
3. Problem and Solution
4. Discussion (Discuss both views)
5. Two-part Question

4. Common Topics
• Environment
Global warming
Deforestation
Pollution
• Health
Obesity
Stress
Diet
• Science & Technology
Computers
Internet
Space exploration
• Animals
Blood sports
Animal experiments
Pets
• Media
Advertising
TV
Fame
• City & Countryside
Urbanisation
Migration
Quality of life
• Education
Assessment
IT in the classroom
School leaving age
• Family
Size
Parenting
Child discipline
• Employment
Retirement
Telecommuting
Automation
• Law & Order
Rising crime
Teenage crime
Capital punishment
• Globalisation
Transport of food
Loss of identity/culture
Poverty & wealth
• Sport & Recreation
International sporting events
Dangerous sports
Competitive sport at school

5. STEPS IN WRITING IELTS TASK 2
1. Understand the question.
2. Plan your answer.
3. Write an introduction.
4. Write the main body paragraphs.
5. Write a conclusion.

6. TASK 2 COMMON STRUCTURE

7. Understanding IELTS Essay Questions
1. Analysing the Question
Underline Key Words in the Question
Identify the topic
Focus on the detail in the question (and any
restrictions)
Identify the task
Rephrase the question

8. Identifying the task
• These are common tasks to see:
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of …(topic)...?
2. Do the benefits of this trend outweigh the drawbacks?
3. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
4. Discuss both opinions and give your opinion?
5. What are the causes of …(topic)… and what measures can
governments and individuals take to respond to this problem?
6. What are some of these problems? What can be done to reduce
…(topic)…?
7. How important is it for individual countries to think about the
future rather than focusing on the present? (in this example, the
task is the whole question)

9. Children are generally more successful in foreign
language studies than adults. Thus, it is better to learn
languages in childhood.
• Do you agree or disagree?
Nowadays genetically modified food is widespread all
over the world. While proponents of GM crops ensure
that these foods are safe for human consumption and
help to increase food supplies, others argue that their
effects on health have not been studied long enough.
• Describe pros and cons of genetically modified foods.

10. Some people say that teenagers should work
part-time and earn money. This way they will
learn basic lessons about work and become
more disciplined. Others argue that teenagers
shouldn't sacrifice their rest and after-school
activities to work.
• Discuss both views and give your opinion.

11. Thesis Statement
“A thesis is an idea put forward for consideration,
especially one to be discussed or analysed.”
Question: There is a good deal of evidence that
increasing car use is contributing to global warming
and having other undesirable effects on people’s
health and well-being.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Thesis statement : This essay agrees that increasing
use of motor vehicles is contributing to rising global
temperatures and certain health issues.

12. IELTS Conclusion Quick Tips
1. Never write any new ideas in your
conclusion.
2. Make sure you answer the question in the
conclusion.
3. Vary your language.
4. Do not try to include everything.
5. Always write one.

13. Example
Government investment in the arts, such as
music and theatre, is a waste of money.
Governments must invest this money in public
services instead.
• To what extent do you agree or disagree with
this statement?

14. In some countries, an increasing number of
people are suffering from health problems as a
result of eating too much fast food. It is,
therefore, necessary for governments to
impose a higher tax on this kind of food.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with
this statement?

15. Sample Answer
It is argued that governments should levy a tariff on junk food because the number
of health risks associated with consuming this kind of food is on the rise. This essay agrees that
a higher rate of tax should be paid by fastfood companies.
Firstly, alcohol and tobacco companies already pay higher taxes and secondly, higher
taxes could raise prices and lower consumption. Higher excise on liqueur and cigarettes has
proven to be successful at curbing the harm caused by these substances. This revenue has been
used to treat health problems associated with these products and has proven useful in
advertising campaigns warning people about the dangers of alcohol and tobacco abuse. Tax
from fast food could be used in the same way. The United Kingdom is a prime example, where
money from smokers is used to treat lung cancer and heart disease.
Increasing taxes would raise prices and lower consumption. Fast food companies
would pass on these taxes to consumers in the form of higher prices and this would lead to
people not being able to afford junk food because it is too expensive. Junk food would soon
become a luxury item and it would only be consumed occasionally, which would be less
harmful to the general public’s health. For instance, the cost of organic food has proven
prohibitively expensive for most people and that is why only a small percentage of the
population buy it regularly.
In conclusion, junk food should be taxed at a higher rate because of the good
precedent set by alcohol and tobacco and the fact that the increased cost should reduce the
amount of fast-food people buy.