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Writing Task 2
Teacher Ivy

IELTS Academic Module: Course Overview

Part/timing Content Test focus
Writing • Two compulsory tasks • Candidates are expected to write
1 hour a factual summary and a
• Task 1: a 150-word summary of information presented in discursive essay.
graphic or diagrammatic form. • Candidates are assessed on a
• Task 2: a 250-word essay presenting an argument on a given nine-based scale for content,
topic coherence, vocabulary and
grammar.

Candidates are advised to spend 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40

minutes on Task 2, which is worth twice as many marks as Task
1.

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Writing Task 2

Advances in technology and automation have reduce the need for manual labor. Background fact
Therefore, working hours should be reduced. Opinion
To what extent do you agree? Task

Writing Task 2
1. Advantages and disadvantages
2. Causes and solutions/ Problems and solutions
3. Mixed
4. Opinion
5. Discussion
6. Others (A) Advantages and Disadvantages: Opinion Version
(B) Two-parts (Expository and Opinion)

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Writing Task 2

1. Advantages and Disadvantages

In some countries young people are encouraged to work or travel for a
year between finishing high school and starting university studies.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who
decide to do this.
(Cambridge 5, Test 2)

Writing Task 2

2. Causes and Solutions / Problems and Solutions

In some countries, the average weight of people is increasing and their
levels of health and fitness are decreasing. What do you think are the
causes of these problems and what measures could be taken to solve
them? (Cambridge 8, Test 4)

Nowadays, the older people who need a job have to compete with
younger people. What problems can this create? What are some
solutions? (11th April 2015,AC)

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Writing Task 2

3. Mixed
Today more people are travelling than ever before. Why is this the
case? What are the benefits of travelling for the traveler? (Cambridge
8)

Writing Task 2

4. Opinion
A: The question states an opinion then asks you whether you agree or
disagree.
Some people argue that capital punishment is good for a country. To what
extent do you agree or disagree?

B: The question states a fact then asks you if you think this is a positive or
negative
Nowadays, many people go shopping in their free time. This has replaced
many other activities that people choose as their hobby. Is this a positive or
negative development?

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Writing Task 2

5. Discussion
Some people think that a sense of competition in children should be
encouraged. Others believe that children who are taught to co-operate
rather than compete become more useful adults. Discuss both views
and give your own opinion. (Cambridge 5, Test 3)

Writing Task 2

6. Others (A) Advantages and Disadvantages : Opinion Version

In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a
year between finishing high school and starting university studies. Do
the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for young people who
decide to do this

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 Writing Task 2

6. Others (B) Two part : Expository and Opinion (EO)

Nowadays, the way many people interact with each other has changed
because of technology. In what ways has technology affected the
types of relationships people make? Do you think this is a positive or
negative trend? (Cambridge 8, Test 2)

IELTS Writing Task 2

1. How much time are you supposed to spend on this task?
2. Is there a minimum and maximum number of words that you should write?
3. What types of questions might you be asked?
4. What percentage of your score does grammar account for?
5. Is it better to answer the question in your introduction or save your answer for the conclusion?
6. What proportion of your writing score does writing task 2 give you?

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 4 Assessment Criteria (Task 2)

Coherence Grammatical
Task Lexical
and Range and
Achievement Resource
Cohesion Accuracy

Task Achievement

IELTS Band Descriptors What do you need to do in practice

1. Address all parts of the task - Write more than 250 words (aim for 260-280
words)
- Give a balanced answer that looks at both sides
- Write a conclusion
2. Presents a clear position throughout the - Give a clear opinion on the topic
response
3. Presents, extends and supports main - Choose only relevant ideas
ideas - Talk about things mentioned in the task
- Find enough ideas and support them with
evidence and examples

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 4 Assessment Criteria (Task 2)

Coherence Grammatical
Task Lexical
and Range and
Achievement Resource
Cohesion Accuracy

Task Achievement

Coherence All the parts of your essay fit together well

A smooth transition between sentences and

Cohesion paragraphs

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 Coherence and Cohesion

IELTS Band Descriptors What do you need to do in practice

1. Logically organizes information and ideas - Your essay should be easy to understand
- Your essay should have a clear structure
2. There is clear progression throughout - Your essay should have a clear structure

3. Presents a clear central topic within each - 1 topic per paragraph

paragraph
4. Uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately

Coherence and Cohesion

IELTS Band Descriptors What do you need to do in practice

1. Logically organizes information and ideas - Your essay should be easy to understand
- Your essay should have a clear structure
2. There is clear progression throughout - Your essay should have a clear structure

3. Presents a clear central topic within each - 1 topic per paragraph

paragraph
4. Uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately - Ideas should be linked together with
transitional words and phrases

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 Coherence and Cohesion
Example:

The internet has made it easy to communicate and do business with

people all over the world. For example, most people use Whatsapp and
send emails everyday. These benefits of the internet have become an
indispensable part of our lives.

4 Assessment Criteria (Task 2)

Coherence Grammatical
Task Lexical
and Range and
Achievement Resource
Cohesion Accuracy

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 Lexical Resource

IELTS Band Descriptors What do you need to do in practice

1. Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary - Use formal style. Do not use informal
language or contractions
- Avoid word repetition
2. Uses less common lexical items

3. May produce occasional errors in word choice,

spelling or word formation

Use formal style

It’s OK to use formal exams to assess It is appropriate to use formal exams to

students’ performance at school. assess students’ performance at school.
I’m gonna cover these points in my I will cover these points in my essay.
essay.
In a nutshell, the benefits far outweigh To summarize, the benefits far outweigh
the drawbacks. the drawbacks.

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 Avoid word repetition

❌ Avoid using words from the question

❌ Avoid repeating the same word several times

✅ Use pronouns
Large cities suffer from different types of pollution. One of the types of pollution is air
pollution.

Large cities suffer from different types of pollution. One of these/those is air
pollution.

✅ Use synonyms
Car – vehicle advantage – benefit new – modern

Lexical Resource

IELTS Band Descriptors What do you need to do in practice

1. Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary - Use formal style. Do not use informal
language or contractions
- Avoid word repetition
2. Uses less common lexical items - Insert more complicated words or
expressions
3. May produce occasional errors in word choice,
spelling or word formation

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 Use less common words

A big house à an enormous mansion

New information à up-to-date information

Use collocations

Rich history regular exercise

To commit a crime a plane takes off
A fast train give a presentation
Completely satisfied to vaguely remember

Lexical Resource

IELTS Band Descriptors What do you need to do in practice

1. Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary - Use formal style. Do not use informal
language or contractions
- Avoid word repetition
2. Uses less common lexical items - Insert more complicated words or
expressions
3. May produce occasional errors in word choice, - Choose only appropriate words
spelling or word formation - Choose words you know well to avoid
mistakes

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 4 Assessment Criteria (Task 2)

Coherence Grammatical
Task Lexical
and Range and
Achievement Resource
Cohesion Accuracy

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

IELTS Band Descriptors What do you need to do in practice

1. Produces frequent error-free sentences - Many sentences should be grammatically

correct
- Do not write sentences that are too long
2. Has good control of grammar and punctuation - Clearly separate sentences with a full stop (.)
but may make a few errors - Try to use commas (,) appropriately
3. Uses a variety of complex structures - Use different types of sentences and
grammatical structures

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 Uses a variety of sentences structures

A car is a convenient means of transport. Large numbers of cars cause air pollution.

A car is a convenient means of transport. However, the air in cities is polluted by large numbers of
cars.

Although a car is a convenient means of transport, large numbers of cars cause air pollution.

Although a car is a convenient means of transport preferred by most people in the USA, large
numbers of cars cause air pollution.

Preferred by most people in the USA, a car is a convenient means of transport. However, large
numbers of cars pollute the air.

IELTS Band Descriptors (Band 7)

Coherence & Lexical Resource Grammatical

Task Response
Cohesion Range and
Accuracy
Logically organizes May produce Produces frequent
Addresses all parts
information and occasional errors error-free
of the task
ideas in word choice, sentences
There is clear spelling and/or
Presents a clear word formation Has good control
position progression
of grammar and
throughout the throughout
Uses a sufficient punctuation but
response Presents a clear range of may make a few
central topic within vocabulary errors
each paragraph
Presents, extends
and supports main Uses less common Uses a variety of
Uses a range of
ideas lexical items complex structure
cohesive devices
appropriately

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 GSM Method

The GSM Method in the Introduction (When you write your Thesis)
GSM : General, Specific or Mixed
General Method: mentions what you’re going to discuss generally
Specific Method: mentions the specific main points that you’re going to discuss in the body
paragraph.
Mixed Method: mention the main points for one part, general statement for the other part.

*Mixed method only works if there are two parts to a question.

GSM Method
In some countries young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high
school and starting university studies. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people
who decide to do this.
General Method: While this offers a few advantages, there are also some disadvantages which are
worth considering.

Specific Method: While this enables people to gain a deeper understanding of the world and learn
to become more thrifty, they could also experience homesickness and end up giving up their
studies.

Mixed method: While this enables people to gain a deeper understanding of the world and become
more prudent with their finances, there are also some disadvantages which are worth considering.

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 GSM Method

The GSM Method in the Conclusion (When you summarize the points)
General Method: In conclusion, if students take a gap year, the positive outcomes can be
anticipated as well as the drawbacks.

Specific Method: In conclusion, if students take a gap year, they could gain invaluable experience
and learn to become more independent in relation to money. However, they may also become
homesick and end up not continuing their studies.

Mixed Method: In conclusion, while students may experience many benefits when travelling
abroad, they may also miss home and end up not pursuing their university studies.

Recommendation/Suggestion Sentence
“Given this situation, it is (recommended/vital/important/crucial/imperative/a good idea) that + CL.”
The clause used here uses “subjunctive mood”.
”Subjunctive mood”: when the clause does not contain ‘objective facts’; when the clause contain a
desire, an intention, a belief, a recommendation or a suggestion.
üWe need to use the “Base” form of the verb in this clause if we use the above generic sentence.

“Given this situation, it is recommended that the government should/could impose stricter
regulations on advertising.”

In a normal sentence, we would write: “the government imposes” but the Clause here is in
“subjunctive mood” and therefore we use the “base” verb “impose” instead.

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