IELTS Writing Task 2: Sample Essays, Scoring, and Common Mistakes to Avoid

What Is IELTS Writing Task 2?

IELTS has 2 types: Academic and General Training. Both have a Writing section with 2 tasks.

Task 2 is the same in both types:

• You are given a point of view, argument, or problem.
• You must write an essay discussing it.
• You must write at least 250 words.
• You get 40 minutes to complete it.

Check the difference between IELTS Academic and General Training tests, and which one should you take?

Why Is Task 2 More Important Than Task 1?

This is something most students miss. The IELTS Writing Task 2 carries twice the weight of Task 1 in your final Writing band score.

So even if you do well in Task 1, a weak Task 2 can pull your score down. Always give Task 2 your best effort.

What Kind of Essay Do You Write?

In Academic IELTS, you write in an academic or semi-formal style. In General Training IELTS, you write a semi-formal or neutral essay.

The topic will be of general interest. Examples from the official IELTS sample tasks include:

• Whether children from less wealthy families handle adult life better.
• Whether the disadvantages of international tourism outweigh the advantages.
• Whether children's leisure activities should be educational.
• How environmental problems can be solved.

You must write a full, connected essay — not notes or bullet points.

What Skills Does Task 2 Test?

The examiner checks if you can write a clear, relevant, well-organised argument. You must support your ideas with evidence or examples.

Depending on the question, you may need to:

• Present a solution to a problem.
• Present and justify your opinion.
• Compare and contrast different views.
• Evaluate and challenge ideas or arguments.

How Is Task 2 Scored?

Trained and certified IELTS examiners mark your essay. They use 4 criteria to give you a score:

Scores are reported as whole bands or half-bands (e.g., 6.0, 6.5, 7.0).

Know more about the IELTS results and scoring here.

What Will Get You Penalised?

The official IELTS guidelines are clear about this. You will lose marks if:

• Your essay is too short (below 250 words)
• Your content is off-topic (not related to the question)
• You use bullet points or notes instead of full sentences
• You copy text from the question paper — this is treated as plagiarism and leads to severe penalties

Quick Facts to Remember

• Time: 40 minutes
• Word count: Minimum 250 words
• Weight: Counts double compared to Task 1
• Format: Full sentences only — no bullet points, no notes
• Scoring: 4 criteria — Task Response, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource, Grammar
• Penalty: Plagiarism leads to severe score reduction

IELTS Writing Task 2 is a key part of your IELTS score. Understanding the format, scoring, and rules before you prepare will save you time and help you target the right band score for your university application.