A Complete Guide for IELTS Writing Task 2
There is total four modules in IELTS (International English Language Testing System). As IELTS is a language test, these four modules (reading, listening, writing and speaking) are essential to evaluate the understanding of candidates that how well they fulfil the requirements of multiple tasks.
Furthermore, IELTS writing is divided into two tasks – IELTS writing task 1 and IELTS writing task 2. In this article, I am here to share a complete guide for IELTS writing task 2 that will prepare you for writing task 2 in the best possible way.
Facts and figures about IELTS writing task 2
The purpose to add such type of task in IELTS writing is to analyze you regarding the use of strategies while writing. In fact, IELTS writing task 2 is an essay writing task. In this type of task, you are required to write an essay consisting of minimum 250 words. There is just 40 minutes duration in which you have to complete this writing task.
IELTS writing task 2 is same for both kinds of IELTS – IELTS academic and IELTS general training. You are assigned to write an essay at specific topic which can be any problem and solution essay, opinion essay, or any comparison etc., and you have to provide your answer.
Summary of A Complete Guide for IELTS Writing Task 2
An overview of IELTS writing task 2 is essential to know, if you start to prepare IELTS writing task 2. This one IELTS writing a starter guide help you to learn all about the basic information of writing task 2.
IELTS writing task 2 is a test of essay in which you have to provide the answer according to the question given in the test. Your essay must covers whole requirements of the question. You are required to write your essay in 40 minutes containing at least 250 words. All facts and figures are provided in the article to learn all about IELTS writing task 2. Procedure to write an essay, question types, marking criteria and tips for IELTS writing task 2 are very helpful in terms of writing task 2.
Types of questions in IELTS writing task 2
If I talk about IELTS writing task 2 question types, there are five types of questions in writing task 2. These are:
- Agree or Disagree
- Discussion and Both views
- Problem and Solution or Causes & Solutions
- Advantages & Disadvantages
- Double Question Essays
Types of essays in IELTS writing task 2
In IELTS writing task 2, there are 5 types of essays that are mentioned below:
- IELTS Opinion Essay
- IELTS Discussion Essay
- IELTS Advantages and Disadvantages
- IELTS Problem Solution Essay
- Direct Question Essay
IELTS Opinion Essay
It is also called argumentative essay. In this type of essay, you have to provide opinions or views regarding question. It is also necessary to add that you either agree or disagree in this type of essay.
IELTS Discussion Essay
In this type of essay, you have to discuss about the given topic in question statement.
IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay
It is one of the most important types of essays in the test of IELTS writing task 2. You have to provide advantages and disadvantages about specific topic given in the question.
IELTS problem solution essay
In this essay type, you have to provide the data of problem and their solution in your essay by your level of best to get good bands in IELTS writing task 2.
Direct question essay
You face a question in the test and you need to provide answer of that specific question in the form of essay.
How to prepare for IELTS writing task 2
Turning to preparation method, when you start your preparation, first of all, you should learn how to analyze the question. Write its answer to the point without adding extra information. Most of the candidates use advanced vocabulary in their essay which can be effective if used properly. Write your answer in the language you know. Your ideas and language should be logically interlinked with question.
The main point of examiner to check your answer is about the content, structure and language that you used in the essay. Give your best regarding these points in order to get good bands in IELTS writing task 2. Do not forget to make a structure containing introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion. Because your structure of IELTS writing task 2 essay is essential to decide before writing.
In IELTS writing task 2 structure, you have to provide introduction in the first paragraph of your essay. After the introduction, add body paragraphs and in the end, you have to write conclusion in your essay.
Introduction tells the examiner that what you are to write in your essay or what an essay is about. Some of the people say that you can paraphrase the question statement while writing an introduction. It is good idea for band 5 or 6, but if you want to get higher bands, understand the question that what the main topic is and write the introduction by your own.
While in main body paragraphs, you need to write supporting sentences and provide all information that is asked in the question statement.
Turning to conclusion, you have to sum up whole information you provided above. You have to write 2 – 3 sentences in conclusion. Provide your sentences logically covering the whole discussion of your body paragraphs. This is a complete guide for IELTS writing task 2 in terms of knowing the procedure to write an essay in IELTS writing task 2.
Marking areas in IELTS writing task 2
It is important to learn about IELTS writing assessment criteria in order to understand the marking procedure. There are four marking areas through which IELTS writing task 2 is assessed. These four areas are:
- Task Achievement (TA)
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC)
- Lexical Resource (LR)
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GR)
An expert examiner will check your answer by these four criterions. All of these criterions are equally marked by the percentage of 25.
In order to talk about task achievement, you have to analyze the question statement and your answer must meet all the requirements and aspects of the question. If the question is about advantages and disadvantages, you have to provide both to get full marks in task achievement. If you are assigned to provide points with examples, then write both of them. Along with this, you have to meet the word limit.
Coherence and cohesion mean your sentences and ideas both are interlinked with each other. Write your answer in clear paragraphs, and connectivity and flow are also important to get good bands in IELTS writing task 2. Your essay should be well organized.
Turning to lexical resource, your essay should be correct in terms of spellings. You need to use proper vocabulary at proper place. A wide range of words should be used in your essay to get higher bands in IELTS writing task 2.
While in case of grammatical range and accuracy, your answer must be accurate using compound and complex sentences. Do not make any mistake regarding punctuation. Try to avoid any mistake in IELTS writing task 2.
Following all these things will help you securing high bands in writing.
Tips for IELTS writing task 2
In order to know that how to improve writing in IELTS task 2, you have to apply some strategies and tips. It can be possible to get good bands in IELTS writing if you practice at the best possible level. Some of the very helpful tips are mentioned below; apply them to get your desired bands.
- Your writing must be neat to be easily understandable. You can try to write each alphabet separate for understandable words.
- First of all, read the question and understand it well, after it make a structure in your mind and start writing.
- Do not write too much in your essay, because it may consume more time.
- You have just 40 minutes to solve this task; keep in mind while attempting IELTS writing task 2.
- Make your ideas clear and simple; do not add a lot of ideas.
- Use correct grammar and do not make any grammatical or punctuation mistakes.
- You must use linking words in order to make your writing effective.
- The marks of IELTS writing task 2 are double as compared to IELTS writing task 1, so attempt this one first.
- Practice a lot with different question types to get good bands in IELTS writing task 2 and also familiarize yourself by IELTS writing answer sheet because you have to write your answer on these answer sheets.
- Always save 3 – 4 minutes for proofreading of your answer.
- Make sure that you have covered all the aspects of the question in writing task 2.
In a nutshell: a complete guide for IELTS writing task 2
IELTS writing task 2 is a test of your writing skills that you have to provide in the form of essay by answering the question given in the task. You have to write your essay by completing all requirements of the question. You will be awarded band scores according to IELTS writing assessment criteria. A complete guide for IELTS writing task 2 help you to know all the facts and figures regarding task 2.
