Writing Task 2: FULL COURSE FREE

Task 2 Writing fundamentals

Timing

40 minutes

Length

  • Minimum: 250 words
  • Penalty: If you write under 250 words, you’ll lose marks in Task Response.
  • Ideal length: 260–280 words — enough to develop ideas, not so long that you lose control.

Common IELTS Task 2 Topics

These repeat often across test centers and years:

  1. Education
  2. Environment
  3. Health
  4. Government & Society
  5. Globalisation
  6. Crime & Punishment
  7. Technology
  8. Culture & Tradition
  9. Media
  10. Family & Children

Each of these themes includes question types like:

  • Opinion (Do you agree or disagree?)
  • Discussion (Discuss both views)
  • Advantages/Disadvantages
  • Problem/Solution
  • Two-part question

Sample Question

Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school education.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Example Introductions and Body Paragraphs by Band Level

Band 5 Introduction

Some people think community service should be mandatory in high school. I will explain my views in this essay.

❌ Too short. No clear opinion. No signposting. Vague.

Band 6 Introduction

It is argued that community service should be a required part of high school education. I agree to some extent, but I also believe that it should not be forced on students. This essay will explain both sides.

✅ Has a position.
⚠️ Slightly unclear structure, and overuses generic phrasing.

Band 7+ Introduction

Many people believe that volunteering in the local community should be mandatory for high school students. I mostly agree with this view, as it builds responsibility and benefits society, though it must be implemented carefully. This essay will explore both benefits and potential drawbacks.

✅ Strong opinion
✅ Clear scope
✅ Formal, academic tone
✅ Signals development

Band 5 Body Paragraph Example

Students can learn things. They help other people. It is good for society and students. If students help people they learn something. This is good for them.

❌ Repetitive. Lacks explanation. Poor grammar. No example.

Band 6 Body Paragraph Example

Doing community service helps students learn about society. For example, when they work with elderly people or clean the park, they learn to care. This can make them better people. However, if it is forced, it might not work.

✅ Has examples.
⚠️ Development is shallow. Some vague phrases (“better people”).

Band 7+ Body Paragraph Example

Mandatory community service can foster a strong sense of social responsibility among teenagers. For instance, students who volunteer at local shelters or environmental clean-ups often gain insight into real-world problems that textbooks cannot teach. This practical exposure helps them develop empathy and a deeper understanding of civic duty.

✅ Clear point
✅ Relevant, developed example
✅ Logical progression
✅ Academic style

6 IELTS Writing Task 2 Tips

We can expand each of these into an article or lesson later:

  1. Use a Clear Essay Structure
    → Intro, 2 Body Paragraphs, Conclusion. Every time.
  2. Answer Every Part of the Question
    → Task Response = 25% of your score. Missing a part = Band drop.
  3. Plan Before You Write
    → 5 minutes to plan = clearer ideas, better logic, fewer mistakes.
  4. Avoid Overusing Fancy Vocabulary
    → “Precise and natural” is better than “forced and rare.”
  5. Support Every Point with an Example
    → Real-world, logical, or personal — but keep it relevant.
  6. Leave Time to Check Your Work
    → Fixing one grammar error could be the difference between 6.5 and 7.