WT2 Idc

WRITING TASK 2
format: essay
style: formal, academic
min. 250 words
extend your ideas – justify your opinion, give specific examples
Things to consider:
 You need to spend more time on Writing Task 2 (40 mins
vs. 20 mins)
 This is because Task 2 is worth 2/3 of your total score
 This means that your score for Task 2 will be the main
determining factor in your overall score
 If you get a higher score for Task 1and lower score for Task 2,
you will get an overall lower score
 The reverse is true for a higher score in Task 2
 So you need to do many practice essays
More things to consider:
 Many candidates find Task 2 more difficult than Task 1
 This is because you must quickly come up a set of coherent
ideas about any topic that is on the test
 Many candidates say: “I didn’t know what to write because I had never
thought about that issue/topic before” OR “I don’t know anything about
global warming because I didn’t study science at university”
 Firstly, as an informed global citizen you need to keep up to date
with issues both national and internationally (ie, read
newspapers and topical magazines)
 Secondly, all the topics on the IELTS test are specifically chosen to
be relevant to candidates around the world and do not require
specialist knowledge
 Thirdly, try to read model essays and get a sense of the kinds of
topics that come up regularly
IELTS Writing Task 2 Descriptors
Band 7
Task Response
• addresses all parts
of the task
•Presents a clear
position throughout
the response
•Presents, extends &

supports main ideas
Band 7
Task Response Coherence
& Cohesion
• addresses all parts • logically
of the task organizes
information & ideas
•Presents a clear
position throughout •Uses a range of
the response cohesive devices
appropriately
•Presents, extends &
supports main ideas •Presents a clear
central topic within
each paragraph
Band 7
Task Response Coherence Lexical Resource
& Cohesion
• addresses all parts • logically • uses a sufficient
of the task organizes range of vocabulary
information & ideas to allow some
•Presents a clear flexibility & precision
position throughout •Uses a range of
the response cohesive devices • uses less common
appropriately lexical items with
•Presents, extends & some awareness of
supports main ideas •Presents a clear style & collocation
central topic within
each paragraph • occasional errors
in word choice,
spelling, word
formation
Band 7
Task Response Coherence Lexical Resource Grammatical Range
& Cohesion & Accuracy
• addresses all parts • logically • uses a sufficient • uses a variety of
of the task organizes range of vocabulary complex structures
information & ideas to allow some
•Presents a clear flexibility & precision • produces frequent
position throughout •Uses a range of error-free
the response cohesive devices • uses less common sentences
appropriately lexical items with
•Presents, extends & some awareness of • has good control
supports main ideas •Presents a clear style & collocation of grammar &
central topic within punctuation
each paragraph • occasional errors
in word choice,
spelling, word
formation
Analyse the question
In most countries multinational companies and their products are
becoming more and more important. This trend is seriously
damaging our quality of life.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
In pairs, identify:
1. The topic of the question
2. The background of the topic
3. The issue/view that you have to contend with
4. The actual task type
Analyse the question
In most countries multinational companies and their products (1)
are becoming more and more important (2). This trend is seriously
damaging our quality of life (3).
To what extent do you agree or disagree (4)?
1. The topic of the question

2. The background of the topic
3. The issue/view that you have to contend with
4. The actual task type
INTRODUCTION
composed of one paragraph with two parts
1) A general statement
introduces the topic and interests the reader
1) A thesis statement
tells the reader the plan of your essay by giving your opinion clearly
WITHOUT specific reasons.
What do you think is the difference between these two sentences?
Main Body
Composed of 2-3 body paragraphs
Structure of a body paragraph

Topic sentence:
signals the main subject that will be developed in the rest of the paragraph
Supporting sentences:
these develop the main idea through supporting ideas and examples
Summary sentence:
summarises the ideas in the paragraph (can also link to the next paragraph)
Conclusion
composed of one paragraph with two parts
In brief, multinational companies can be very damaging because they can
reduce product variety, can harm local cultures, and can cause problems if
people their jobs at multinational companies.
re-state your opinion & briefly paraphrase the main ideas in your essay
Therefore, as voters, we should pressure governments to monitor the opening

of multinational companies more strictly.
give a final recommendation – only use ideas that have already been mentioned
(no new ideas!)
Essay planning
1. Brainstorm ideas (pros and cons of alternative medicine).
2. Erase irrelevant ideas (if necessary).
3. Divide the Pros and Cons into clear categories.
4. Choose your position/opinion.
5. Order the categories from most to least important.
Example Question Task 2
Currently, there is a trend towards the use of alternative forms
of medicine. However, at best these methods are ineffective,
and at worst they may be dangerous.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Give reasons for your answer and include any important data
you may know.
Example Question Task 2
Some people feel that education should be provided
exclusively by the state and that private education
should be prohibited.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this

opinion?
You cannot ‘learn IELTS’,
so learn English!

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WRITING TASK 2

•Presents, extends &

1. The topic of the question

Structure of a body paragraph

Therefore, as voters, we should pressure governments to monitor the opening

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this

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