IELTS Writing Task 2
Information & Grading
Information
In task 2 for General Training and Academic modules you are asked to write an academic essay, giving your opinion or discussing a topic, in response to a task.
The topics of task 2 are social and academic and no specialized knowledge is needed.
Try to aim for 250 – 270 words in task 2 and keep in mind that even though there is no IELTS restriction on the number of words you can write, writing 300 + words is really not necessary and is not effective time management.
However, answers under the word count are penalized in the Task Response criterion. When the examiner sees that your answer is short, they will count the number of words and must follow the IELTS rules for word count.
240+ words = No penalty
210 - 239 words = minus 1 band in Task Response
Under 210 words = minus 2 band in Task Response
Click on the following link for how words are counted.
Understanding the Question
Before you start writing anything it is vital that you fully understand exactly what the task requires. Candidates who fail to understand the question usually discuss the topic generally rather than answering the task or the fail to follow the instructions.
Highlight the key words in the statement first of all and then analyze the instructions.
Grading
Task 2 is worth 67% of your overall writing band score.
You are graded in 4 criteria – Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource and Grammatical range & accuracy. Click on the PDF link to view the official IELTS band descriptors (public version).
IELTS Writing Band Descriptors
The criteria are equally weighted with 25% awarded for each category and the overall writing band score is the average of the four. For example…
Task Response 7, Coherence & Cohesion 7, Lexical Resource 6, Grammatical range & accuracy 6, Overall 6.5
If you want to calculate your overall band score…
Task Response
Even though each criterion is equally weighted at 25% each, Task Response is the most important category as it is possible to get a lower band score than the other criteria if you do not answer the question.
The sub categories (bullet points) in Task Achievement are…
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Addressing the prompt.
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Appropriate format
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Stating a clear position.
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Extending and supporting your relevant main ideas.
Addressing the prompt
Basically, this means - Did you answer the question? It sounds like common sense but you'd be surprised how often students don't actually answer all parts of the question.
For example, the instructions say, "Discuss both views and give your own opinion" and the student discusses both views but doesn't include their own opinion. This would mean...
Band 5 - The main parts of the prompt are incompletely addressed.
When you answer all three parts of this task would get a minimum of...
Band 6 - The main parts of the prompt are addressed.
Appropriate format
This refers to the essential parts of the essay. Specifically, your answer must include an introduction, main body paragraphs and a conclusion. It also means that you should not format your essay with bullet points or sub headings. Answers that don't have the three main parts and/or have incorrect formatting would mean...
Band 5 & 4 - The format may be inappropriate (in places)
While essays that include all parts would get a minimum of......
Band 6 - An appropriate format is used.
Developed and relevant main ideas:
The instructions in the prompt are there to help you... "Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience"
Listing ideas in your body paragraphs isn’t sufficient. Your main ideas must include supporting details and, put simply, these are examples of your and/or others' experiences and background knowledge of the topic. If your answer doesn't include these, it would mean...
Band 5 - Some main ideas are put forward, but they are limited and are not
sufficiently developed.
When your main ideas are fully supported this would mean a minimum of...
Band 7 - Main ideas are extended and supported.
Relevant ideas mean staying on topic. Your main ideas should only be about the statement in the prompt. When your answer goes off topic, it becomes irrelevant and would mean...
Band 5 - Some main ideas are put forward but... there may be irrelevant details.
When your ideas are relevant (on topic), this would mean a minimum of...
Band 6 - Main ideas are relevant...
Stating a clear position
For the task types that require you to give your opinion (position) you must state clearly what your opinion is and stick with it throughout your answer. Your opinion is best started in the thesis statement of the essay and developed in your body paragraphs.
If your opinion isn't clearly stated, this would mean...
Band 4 - A position is discernible, but the reader has to read carefully to find it.
If your opinion is clearly stated but not consistent in your body paragraphs this would mean...
Band 5 - The writer expresses an opinion but the development is not always clear.
For example, when you 100% agree with the prompt but your body paragraphs include ideas why you both agree AND disagree.
When your position is clearly stated and consistently developed in your body paragraphs and conclusion, this would mean a minimum of...
Band 7 - A clear and developed position is presented.
Tips & Strategies:
Understand the Question:
Before you start writing anything it is vital that you fully understand exactly what the task requires. Candidates who fail to understand the question usually discuss the topic generally rather than answering the task. Follow the instructions carefully. For sample answers and strategies for each task type, follow the link.
https://www.total-ielts.com/ielts-writing-task-2-sample-answers
Plan Your Essay:
Planning your task 2 answer is essential for success. Planning your answer will…
Manage the time effectively.
Organize your ideas.
Keep you on topic.
Enable you to address all parts of the task
For more strategies on planning task 2, follow the link.
https://www.total-ielts.com/ielts-writing-task-2-planning
Include Specific Examples and knowledge:
Examples and knowledge in your body paragraphs strengthen your arguments. Use specific scenarios, statistics, or personal experiences that relate to your points. The more concrete your examples, the more persuasive your writing becomes.
Stay on topic:
Keep your answer relevant. After you have analyzed the topic and instructions (task type), only include ideas on the topic.
For strategies on writing body paragraphs, follow the link.
https://www.total-ielts.com/ielts-writing-task-2-body-paragraphs
Include a conclusion:
A clear conclusion is as important as all the other elements of your answer. Examiners like to see a concise conclusion where you restate (paraphrase) your position and main ideas from the body paragraphs. Don't include any new information or ideas.
https://www.total-ielts.com/ielts-writing-task-2-conclusion
Get Constructive Feedback:
Sharing your drafts with teachers or fellow students is always a good strategy. They can help you identify areas for improvement in task response.
Coherence and Cohesion
The Coherence and cohesion criterion is exactly the same for General Training and Academic tasks 1 and task 2.
Click on the following link for detailed a discussion of Coherence and cohesion.
Click on the following link for a list of cohesive devices.
The only exception in the band descriptors for task 2 is the sub category of “paragraphing”.
Task 2 is an academic essay and you are expected to have distinct paragraphs that include an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion.
Coherence and cohesion:
Band 7: the sequencing of ideas within a paragraph is generally logical.
Band 5: Paragraphing may be inadequate or missing
Lexical Resource
Lexical resource is the range of your vocabulary, your awareness of style and collocation and spelling ability.
For a more detailed discussion and tips for Lexical resource, follow the link
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
The Grammatical range and accuracy criterion is exactly the same for General Training and Academic tasks 1 and task 2.
Click on the following link for a detailed discussion of Grammatical Range and Accuracy.