IELTS Writing Task 2: Everything You Need to Know

When it comes IELTS exam, Writing Task 2 is usually the task that stresses students out the most. IELTS Writing Task 2 requires the student to present an argumentative essay that responds to a query. It assesses students' subtlety of grammar and vocabulary, plus their ability to express ideas, develop argumentation, and keep things coherent in a written format. Furthermore, IELTS Writing Task 2 will account for the majority of your overall writing band score, meaning that to have an achievable result, you will need to have an understanding of the task and how to complete it successfully. 

In this post, we will cover all aspects of IELTS Writing Task 2- the format, common essay types, and expert tips on how to write high-scoring responses to questions.

Whether you are looking for a band 7 or band 9, we hope this blog will help you gather the information you need to look at IELTS essays with greater clarity and confidence.

IELTS Essay Writing Test Format 2025

The IELTS Writing section assesses your ability to communicate ideas clearly, make and develop arguments, and write using suitable academic language. The section is graded using a band scale of 0–9 and lasts 60 minutes total. You will complete two writing tasks: Task 1 (descriptive/analytical writing) and Task 2 (essay writing).

You will be graded on task achievement, cohesion and coherence, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy.

Common IELTS Essay Topics for Writing Task 2 Practice

In IELTS Writing Task 2, the candidates will be expected to discuss an argument, consider a question, or express their opinion about a topic. The question usually addresses a global issue related to subjects such as education, environment, technology, health, or society. For IELTS writing Task 2, you should practice to attempt this in a 40-minute time frame. 

Following you will find the most frequently examined IELTS Essay topics, along with sample Task 2 questions to practice:

IELTS Writing Task 2: Sample 1

Question: Some people think an international car-free day is an effective way of reducing air pollution, while others think there are other ways. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

You should write at least 250 words and spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Solution: The ubiquity of cars is often considered a major culprit in air quality degradation in many countries. To combat atmospheric pollution, many suggest that car-free days should be held internationally. However, these events may achieve little success, and there are more effective methods to preserve the atmosphere.

Advocates of organising global car-free days may argue that the absence of cars promotes the use of public transport and activities such as cycling and walking, which all contribute considerably to the reduction of traffic emissions. This argument, from my perspective, is flawed because of two facts. The first is that a few days without cars out of 365 days of the year may help cut down as little as one per cent of the annual amount of traffic fumes, so the assertion that this short-term reduction is significant is a mere exaggeration. The second is that this solution does not limit the massive amount of air contaminants being released from industrial zones. It is, therefore, a one-sided approach and arguably not an effective way to address the problem of air pollution.

However, there are better measures to minimise air pollution. One of them is constructing dedicated lanes for public means of transport. These lanes guarantee that public transport is relatively faster than individual vehicles in rush hours, which may encourage a majority of commuters to eschew their personal vehicles in favour of mass transit. The implication is that motor vehicle use may be reduced throughout the year, which exerts a longer-lasting impact on minimising traffic fumes than international car-free days may do. Another measure is levying a tax on carbon usage in all areas, including transport and industrial production. This measure has been adopted in several countries, including the United Kingdom, and has proven its effectiveness as a holistic approach to curtail emissions in all fields.

To conclude, I believe the organisation of world car-free days may produce little effect on protecting the atmosphere. Other solutions, namely building designated lanes for public vehicles and taxing all industries on carbon usage, produce more sustainable effects on a larger scale.

IELTS Writing Task 2: Sample 2

Question: Many working people get little or no exercise either during the working day or in their free time and have health problems as a result. Why do so many working people not get enough exercise? What can be done about this problem?

You should write at least 250 words and spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Solution: Working people devote less time to exercise, and as a result, they develop many health problems, such as obesity and heart disease. This is mainly because they do not have enough time during their weekdays and feel tired working on weekends. Moreover, compulsively watching television programmes and video games also discourages them from getting physically active during their leisure time. This essay will discuss the reason behind this issue and how to manage it substantially.

There are several reasons behind this, and the major ones are a sedentary working lifestyle and fatigue after work. People are working hard to fulfil their personal and professional commitments so they hardly have time to relax or exercise. In this cutthroat, competitive world, everyone is running a rat race to earn money. Hectic work schedules and long working hours are primary reasons working people neglect fitness exercises, leading to low productivity. Another reason is that digital devices have a strong influence on the daily life of individuals. Since these devices are pretty addictive, once they open their social media account or start searching online, they tend to spend long hours on the screen. Thus, it leaves no time for them to do exercise.

Shifting towards what can be done about this problem, there are some effective methods to tackle how people get fit and work more effectively. Creating awareness about the risks of physical inactivity is the first step to counter this issue. In addition, bosses who require their employees to work overtime should be penalised. What’s more, companies should be emboldened to set up gyms and sports courts within their premises, and employers should be permitted to access them during their recreation time. Studies have shown that even a simple stretch will enable people to shake off their lethargy and enhance their productivity.

To recapitulate, it is clear that working individuals do not engage in exercises due to modern work pressure. Still, self-motivation and constant willingness are high priorities for leading a healthy life. We can all achieve this shared goal by adopting the ways mentioned above.

Top 10 Tips to Write Effectively in the IELTS Writing Task 2

Earning a high band score in IELTS Writing is about strategy, structure and practice, not just good English. Here are 10 best practices to help you improve your writing and score band 9:

1. Read the question: Make sure you answer every part of the task; otherwise, you will lose marks.

2. Word count: Task 1 must be at least 150 words, and Task 2 must be at least 250 words. If you are under the word count, you automatically lose marks.

3. Plan of Action: Before writing your answer, plan your answer for three to five minutes. Planning will help you respond to the task in a clear and organised way.

4. Paragraphing: Make sure you write new or different main ideas in separate paragraphs. Paragraphs help the logical flow and coherence.

5. Make clarity a priority: Clear and organised responses score higher than longer, more complicated responses.

6. Read over your grammar: You shouldn't make many mistakes, because grammatical accuracy counts for many marks.

7. Don't use bullet points: Don't write a list. Write complete sentences and connect your ideas to make paragraphs.

8. Stay on topic: Don't drift away from the task. Examiners evaluate your scores based on your response to the task.

9. Spelling and vocabulary: You can use American, British, or Australian spelling, but be consistent.

10. Practice: When you do practice tests, you should do them under exam conditions and time your tests for accuracy, speed, and efficiency.

IELTS Sample Papers for the Writing Section

Writing can often be the most challenging part, but with the right practice, it can become easier. Task 1 requires you to describe visual data, while Task 2 asks you to write an essay on a given topic. Both tasks assess your ability to organise ideas and present them clearly. 

Take a look at the following sample papers to see examples of how to approach these tasks effectively:

From the Desk of Yocket

The IELTS writing task requires clarity, good structure and strong language skills. The main focuses should be on time management, understanding the requirements of each task, and developing a breadth of vocabulary. Remember, practice test conditions are the best way to increase your IELTS score! 

Yocket Prep offers all of the above, including guidance from expert tutors, writing feedback from a team of professionals and personalised recommendations to successfully crack IELTS, all in one place.