Welcome to the Active IELTS page for Writing Task 2
Writing Task 2 is almost the same for General Training and Academic IELTS tests. You are given a point of view, problem or
an opinion to discuss. You need to write at least 250 words and you should use about 40 minutes to do this. You have to
write in a semi-formal or neutral style - not formal or informal.
In Task 2 you need to:
You must try to write an accurate, well-organised answer with lots of ideas and language. Your opinion should be very clear
and you should use examples from your own experience and evidence.
What are the questions?
The topics in Task 2 are things that are discussed in newspapers and on TV. They are often important and serious subjects
such as globalisation, crime, development, changing roles of men and women, or education issues. The question is often an
opinion or a belief.
A General Training question looks like this:
Write about the following topic
Crime is on the increase in most countries of the world. What do you think are some of the main reasons for this
and how should the government address the problem?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your experience
You should write at least 250 words
And an Academic question will look like this:
Present a written argument or case to an educated reader with no specialist knowledge of the
following topic
Crime is on the increase in most countries of the world. What do you think are some of the main reasons for this
and how should the government address the problem?
You should write at least 250 words
You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with
examples and relevant evidence
Practising
Try to find time to talk and think about serious issues and topics with friends and family. Think about your own opinions -
how can you explain them and justify them?
Read as much as possible - especially newspapers and websites - and watch programmes on TV that discuss serious issues.
Pay attention to the ideas and the language people use.
Practise writing answers to the question first without thinking about the time and then with a time limit of 40 minutes. When
you are practising without timing your answer make sure you don't write more than 250 - 260 words. This is a waste of time
and won't help you in the test.
Practise planning answers. This is important and difficult. You can just practice planning if you don't have much time - you
don't need to always write the complete answer.
Practise writing by hand. If you have bad handwriting, be careful! This will cause problems in the test. Also learn what 250
words looks like for you. How many lines is it? If you know you won't waste time counting words.
In the exam
PLAN YOUR ANSWER. You have time. Decide on your position, find ideas and think of examples. If you try to do this when
you are writing, you will find it very difficult.
Use paragraphs always. Remember that each one must have one central idea. Don't mix them up, and don't write
paragraphs which are one sentence. Leave a line between each paragraph so it is very clear.
Use examples from your own life or evidence that supports your ideas. You can invent anything you need but make sure it
is convincing.
Don't start "This is a very important topic which is discussed by many people in newspapers, on TV etc". Everybody does
this and it is not useful.
Remember that if you copy the question in your answer then it won't count in your word total.
Don't use bullet points. This is not accepted. You must write in normal full sentences.
Write an introduction and a conclusion. Make sure you have time to do this.
Keep to the topic. Check the question again and again as you write to make sure you are answering it.
Remember that you are writing this answer for an educated reader with no specialist knowledge. If you have specialist
knowledge you want to use then make sure it is very clear what you are talking about.
Try to leave five minutes at the end of the test to check spelling and grammar. This can make a real difference.
Ready to practise? Go straight to the IELTS practice pack
Writing Task 2 is almost the same for General Training and Academic IELTS tests. You are given a point of view, problem or
an opinion to discuss. You need to write at least 250 words and you should use about 40 minutes to do this. You have to
write in a semi-formal or neutral style - not formal or informal.
In Task 2 you need to:
- give an opinion or state your position on the question
- Explain why you think this, by talking about your reasons
- Use examples and evidence to support these reasons
You must try to write an accurate, well-organised answer with lots of ideas and language. Your opinion should be very clear
and you should use examples from your own experience and evidence.
What are the questions?
The topics in Task 2 are things that are discussed in newspapers and on TV. They are often important and serious subjects
such as globalisation, crime, development, changing roles of men and women, or education issues. The question is often an
opinion or a belief.
A General Training question looks like this:
Write about the following topic
Crime is on the increase in most countries of the world. What do you think are some of the main reasons for this
and how should the government address the problem?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your experience
You should write at least 250 words
And an Academic question will look like this:
Present a written argument or case to an educated reader with no specialist knowledge of the
following topic
Crime is on the increase in most countries of the world. What do you think are some of the main reasons for this
and how should the government address the problem?
You should write at least 250 words
You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with
examples and relevant evidence
Practising
Try to find time to talk and think about serious issues and topics with friends and family. Think about your own opinions -
how can you explain them and justify them?
Read as much as possible - especially newspapers and websites - and watch programmes on TV that discuss serious issues.
Pay attention to the ideas and the language people use.
Practise writing answers to the question first without thinking about the time and then with a time limit of 40 minutes. When
you are practising without timing your answer make sure you don't write more than 250 - 260 words. This is a waste of time
and won't help you in the test.
Practise planning answers. This is important and difficult. You can just practice planning if you don't have much time - you
don't need to always write the complete answer.
Practise writing by hand. If you have bad handwriting, be careful! This will cause problems in the test. Also learn what 250
words looks like for you. How many lines is it? If you know you won't waste time counting words.
In the exam
PLAN YOUR ANSWER. You have time. Decide on your position, find ideas and think of examples. If you try to do this when
you are writing, you will find it very difficult.
Use paragraphs always. Remember that each one must have one central idea. Don't mix them up, and don't write
paragraphs which are one sentence. Leave a line between each paragraph so it is very clear.
Use examples from your own life or evidence that supports your ideas. You can invent anything you need but make sure it
is convincing.
Don't start "This is a very important topic which is discussed by many people in newspapers, on TV etc". Everybody does
this and it is not useful.
Remember that if you copy the question in your answer then it won't count in your word total.
Don't use bullet points. This is not accepted. You must write in normal full sentences.
Write an introduction and a conclusion. Make sure you have time to do this.
Keep to the topic. Check the question again and again as you write to make sure you are answering it.
Remember that you are writing this answer for an educated reader with no specialist knowledge. If you have specialist
knowledge you want to use then make sure it is very clear what you are talking about.
Try to leave five minutes at the end of the test to check spelling and grammar. This can make a real difference.
Ready to practise? Go straight to the IELTS practice pack
Other useful pages
Ready to practise?
How is the IELTS writing test marked?
Links and tips to help you
What does my score mean?
What if I am not happy with my score?
On the day of the exam
Ready to practise?
How is the IELTS writing test marked?
Links and tips to help you
What does my score mean?
What if I am not happy with my score?
On the day of the exam
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