IELTS Writing Task 2: Complete Guide for Band 7+ (2026)
Short answer: IELTS Writing Task 2 is a 40-minute essay of at least 250 words that counts for two-thirds of your Writing score. Band 7+ requires fully answering every part of the question, clear four-paragraph structure, varied vocabulary, and controlled grammar — not longer essays or memorised templates.
Last updated: June 17, 2026
Table of Contents
- What Is IELTS Writing Task 2?
- The Four Essay Types
- Band 7 Essay Structure
- How Task 2 Is Scored
- Step-by-Step: 40 Minutes
- Common Mistakes at Band 6
- How to Practice Effectively
- FAQ
IELTS Writing Task 2 is the single highest-impact section for most candidates targeting Band 7. Whether you need Writing 7.0 for a UK university, Canadian PR, or Australian skilled migration, this 40-minute essay often decides your result.
This pillar guide covers format, all major question types, a Band 7 structure that works across topics, how examiners score your work, a minute-by-minute writing plan, and how to practise with feedback. For a deeper dive on moving from Band 6 to 7, see our Band 6 to 7 guide.
What Is IELTS Writing Task 2?
Task 2 is a formal academic essay of at least 250 words, written in 40 minutes, on a general topic. It accounts for roughly two-thirds of your total Writing band score (Task 1 is one-third).
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Time | 40 minutes (recommended: 5 min plan, 30 min write, 5 min check) |
| Minimum length | 250 words (Band 7 essays usually 280–320) |
| Register | Formal academic English — no contractions, slang, or personal stories |
| Topics | Education, environment, technology, health, society, work — no specialist knowledge required |
| Modules | Same Task 2 format for Academic and General Training |
You are not marked on factual accuracy of examples. Examiners assess how you argue, organise, and control language — not whether your statistics are real.
The Four Main Task 2 Essay Types
Most Task 2 prompts fall into four types: opinion, discuss both views, problem-solution, and advantages/disadvantages. Identify the type in the first 30 seconds — it determines your structure.
1. Opinion (Agree / Disagree)
Example: Some people believe university education should be free. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- State a clear position in the introduction
- Body 1: main reason supporting your view
- Body 2: second reason or concession + rebuttal
- Conclusion: restate position
2. Discuss Both Views (+ Opinion)
Example: Some think children should start school at age 4; others believe 7 is better. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
- Body 1: first view + explanation
- Body 2: second view + explanation
- Introduction or conclusion: your opinion (required — do not skip)
3. Problem–Solution
Example: Traffic congestion is increasing in cities. What are the causes and what solutions can you suggest?
- Body 1: causes (2–3, developed)
- Body 2: solutions matched to causes
- Both parts required for Band 7 Task Response
4. Advantages / Disadvantages
Example: Do the advantages of remote work outweigh the disadvantages?
- Discuss both sides
- Make a judgment if the question asks outweigh or more positive/negative
Tip: Underline command words (discuss, agree, causes, outweigh) before planning. Missing one part caps Task Response at Band 6.
More structures: Task 2 essay structure templates.
Band 7 Essay Structure: The 4-Paragraph Model
A reliable Band 7 structure is: Introduction → Body 1 → Body 2 → Conclusion, with one main idea per body paragraph fully developed.
Introduction (~40–50 words)
- Paraphrase the question (do not copy verbatim)
- State your thesis / outline your approach
Avoid: broad hooks like “Since the dawn of time” — examiners dislike memorised openers.
Body Paragraph 1 (~90–100 words)
Topic sentence → Explain → Example → Link
Body Paragraph 2 (~90–100 words)
Same formula; different main idea
Conclusion (~30–40 words)
Summarise main points; no new ideas
See Band 7 sample essays for full examples with scoring breakdowns.
How Task 2 Is Scored (TR, CC, LR, GRA)
Each criterion contributes 25% to your Task 2 score. Examiners do not average impressions — they mark each criterion independently using the official band descriptors.
| Criterion | What examiners look for |
|---|---|
| Task Response (TR) | All parts answered; clear position; ideas extended and supported |
| Coherence & Cohesion (CC) | Logical paragraph order; clear progression; varied cohesive devices |
| Lexical Resource (LR) | Range and precision; collocations; few errors in word choice |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy (GRA) | Mix of sentence types; mostly error-free |
Your Task 2 band is the average of four criterion scores, rounded to the nearest 0.5. One weak criterion at 6 can pull a 7 down to 6.5 overall.
Want instant TR/CC/LR/GRA sub-scores? Try EssayGradeWise free — unlimited Task 2 scoring.
Step-by-Step: Writing a Task 2 Essay in 40 Minutes
| Minutes | Action |
|---|---|
| 0–2 | Read prompt twice; underline all parts |
| 2–7 | Plan: thesis + 2 body ideas + 1 example each |
| 7–12 | Write introduction |
| 12–22 | Body paragraph 1 |
| 22–32 | Body paragraph 2 |
| 32–37 | Conclusion |
| 37–40 | Check: word count, question coverage, article errors |
Under exam pressure, candidates who plan for 5 minutes write faster and score higher Task Response than those who start immediately.
Common Task 2 Mistakes at Band 6
- Incomplete answer — discussing only one view or ignoring causes in problem-solution
- Under 250 words — automatic penalty under Task Response
- One-sentence paragraphs — no development
- Memorised templates — “It is undeniable that…”
- Off-topic examples — personal anecdotes in formal essays
- No clear position — especially in opinion questions
- Listing ideas — five points with no explanation
Full list: 10 mistakes that keep you at Band 6.
How to Practice Task 2 Effectively
Quality beats quantity: 2–3 essays per week with criterion feedback outperforms 7 essays with no review.
| Practice type | Frequency | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Outlines only | 3× / week | Task Response speed |
| Single body paragraphs | Daily (Week 2 style) | Coherence |
| Full timed essays | 2× / week | Integration |
| AI / tutor feedback | After every full essay | Identify weak criterion |
Structured option: 20-day IELTS Writing study plan — 30 min/day with adaptive tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should IELTS Writing Task 2 be?
Aim for 280–320 words. Under 250 loses Task Response marks; over 350 rarely helps unless every sentence develops your argument.
Is Task 2 the same for Academic and General Training?
Yes — same timing, length, and scoring criteria. Only Task 1 differs.
Can I use personal examples?
Brief, general examples are fine (“In many countries…”). Avoid long personal stories; keep tone academic.
How important is handwriting?
For paper-based tests, legibility matters. Computer-delivered tests use typing — focus on paragraph breaks and spelling.
Should I write Task 1 or Task 2 first?
Most coaches recommend Task 2 first (more points at stake), then Task 1 in the remaining ~20 minutes.
Conclusion
Task 2 rewards clarity, complete answers, and controlled language — not complexity for its own sake. Master the four question types, use the 4-paragraph model, plan before you write, and review every essay against TR, CC, LR, and GRA.
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