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2. IELTS Writing

3. Task 2 –
General
Info

4.  Task 2 General Info.
 Recommended time for Task 2 is 40 minutes.
 You must write at least 250 words. You will be penalised if the answer is too short.
 Task 2 contributes twice as much to the final Writing band score as Task 1. It will greatly
reduce your chance of achieving a good band if you fail to attempt to answer Task 2.
 You should make sure that you read the task carefully and provide a full and relevant
response. For example, if the topic is a particular aspect of computers, you should focus on
this aspect in your response. You should not simply write about computers in general.
 You must write your answers on the answer booklet preferably using a pencil.

5.  Task 2 Assessment Criteria – Important Notes.
 Task response:
(1)Presents a clear position throughout the essay.
(2) Ideas should be supported by evidence, and examples may be
drawn from your own experience.
(3) Sufficiently addresses all parts/issues of the task.
(4) Responses must be at least 250 words in length.

6.  Coherence and cohesion:
(1) Logical organization of information.
(2) Coherence refers to the linking of ideas through logical
sequencing.
(3) Cohesion refers to the varied and appropriate use of cohesive
devices for connecting sentences and paragraphs (for example,
logical connectors, pronouns and conjunctions).
 Task 2 Assessment Criteria – Important Notes.

7.  Lexical resource:
Wide range of vocabulary for precise meaning. Use of less
common words. Correct spellings
 Grammatical range and accuracy:
Wide range of sentence structures (simple and complex sentence
structures). Propper use of tenses. No grammatical errors.
 Task 2 Assessment Criteria – Important Notes.

8. Task 2 -
Question
Format

9. Task 2 has a standard question format.
There will be a topic. The topic will be either a
point of view, an argument or a problem
followed by a question asking for your response.

10. Question format: There will be a topic. The topic will be
either a point of view, an argument or a problem
followed by a question asking for your response.
Topic
Question
Example of Task 2 question format.
Examples are taken from Cambridge IELTS books.

11. Topic
Question
Example of Task 2 question format.
Examples are taken from Cambridge IELTS books.
Question format: There will be a topic. The topic will be
either a point of view, an argument or a problem
followed by a question asking for your response.

12. Task 2-
Question
Types

13. Identifying the question
type correctly is a crucial
step in Task 2 essay because
if you do not analyse the
question correctly, you
could end up writing a
completely different essay.

14. 1. Discuss both views and give your opinion. (Discussion)
2.To what extent do you agree or disagree ? (Argument)
3. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages. (Discussion)
4. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? (Argument)
5. Problem and solution essay. (Discussion)
6 Direct question essay (Discussion).
7. Double question essay. (Discussion – DoubleQuestion)
Here is the list of Task 2 question types.
In the next few
slides, you will see
examples of these
question types as
they appear in the
actual test.

15. Question type: 1
“Discuss both these views and give your opinion” essays.

16. In this essay type, you will be given a
statement, mostly of two opposing views,
and will be asked to discuss both and add
your opinion.
It is not difficult to identify this type of essay
because the question will clearly say that:

17. Example of “Discuss both these views and give your
opinion” essays.
A statement of two opposing views
Question

18. A statement of two opposing views
Question
Example of “Discuss both these views and give your
opinion” essays.

19. A statement of two opposing views
Question
Example of “Discuss both these views and give your
opinion” essays.

20. Question type: 2
“To what extent do you agree or disagree?” essays.

21. In this type of question you will
have a statement – a general/
popular belief or an opinion - and
you will be asked:
*Sometimes, the question is followed by an additional question and sometimes, the
question will include part of the statement.

22. Example of “To what extent do you agree or
disagree?” essays.
Statement – a kind of a general/ popular belief or an opinion
Question

23. Example of “To what extent do you agree or
disagree?” essays.
Statement – a kind of a general/ popular belief or an opinion
Question

24. Example of “To what extent do you agree or
disagree?” essays.
Statement – a kind of a general/ popular belief or an opinion
Question

25. Example of “To what extent do you agree or
disagree?” (with additional question) essays.
Additional question

26. Example of “To what extent do you agree or
disagree?” (with additional question) essays.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Additional question

27. Example of “To what extent do you agree or disagree?”(the
question includes part of the statement). essays.
The question includes part of the
statement

28. Question type: 3
“Advantages and disadvantages” essays

29. In this essay type, you will have a short question
statement describing some kind of situation and you
will be asked to comment on the advantages and
disadvantages of the given situation.

30. IELTS Writing Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between
finishing high school and starting university studies.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your
own knowledge or experience.
You should write at least 250 words.
In this essay type you will have a short question
statement describing some kind of situation
The question.
Example of “Advantages and disadvantages” essays.

31. Question type: 4
“Do the advantages of this outweigh the
disadvantages?” essays.

32. In this type of essays, you will be given a
short question statement describing a
situation and you will be asked to
comment on the given situation, whether
its advantages are stronger (outweigh) or
its disadvantages are stronger.

33. Example of “Do the advantages of this outweigh the
disadvantages?” essays.
Statement
Question

34. Example of “Do the advantages of this outweigh the
disadvantages?” essays.
Statement
Question

35. Question type: 5
“Problem – Solution” essays.

36. In this type of essays, you will see a very
short description of a problem (mostly it will
start with a general problem and then move
to a specific problem)and then you will have
two parts question asking to discuss its
causes and suggest possible solutions.

37. Example of “Problem- solution” essays.
Short description of a problem
Two parts question asking to discuss its
causes and suggest possible solutions.

38. Question type: 6
“Direct Question” essays

39. In this essay type often
you will see a tag line
followed by a direct
question.

40. Example of “Direct Question” essays.
A tag statement
Followed by a direct question

41. Example of “Direct Question” essays.
A tag statement
Followed by a direct question

42. Question type:7
“Double Questions” essays

43. In this essay type often you will see a
tag line or a situation followed by a set
of two questions. Sometimes, the first
question will be more general and
abstract while the second will ask you a
more specific aspect.

44. Tag line
1st question.
2nd question.
Example of “Double Question” essays.
Notice in this example the first question is general and abstract while
the second is on more specific aspect.

45. IELTS Writing Task 2.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Happiness is considered very important in life.
Why is it difficult to define?
What factors are important in achieving happiness?
You should give reasons for your answer using your own ideas
and experience.
You should write at least 250 words.
Example of “Double Question” essays.
A situation and two independent question based on the situation.

46. Example of “Double Question” essays.
A situation and two independent question based on the situation.

47. Example of “Double Question” essays.
A situation and two independent question based on the situation.

48. Argument &
Discussion
Essays.

49. Argument Essays Vs Discussion Essays.
 Basically there are two types of essays in Task 2; argument essays
and discussion essays.
 The discussion essays will ask you to discuss a given situation and
add your opinion. Discussion essays sometimes do have multiple
questions to handle.
 Argument essays will ask asks you to choose one side of the
argument and support it with reasons. In these essays, you must
clearly state your point of view and maintain it throughout the
essay.

50. Argument Essays.
 These kind of questions usually ask you to choose one side of
the argument and support it with reasons. In this type, you must
take one side and maintain it throughout the essay.
o Examples of argument essays:
• Do you agree or disagree?
• Is this positive or negative?
• To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

51. Discussion Essays.
 This is one of the common IELTS writing task 2 essay questions. In
these type of essays, you are required to discuss two opinions given in
the question statement and also you have to give your personal
opinion.
o Examples of discussion essays:
• Discuss the advantages(positive) and disadvantages (negative) of …….
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.
• Discuss both sides of this argument and then give your own opinion.
• What are the causes of this problem and what are solutions?

52. for watching
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