IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 asks you to write a discursive essay of at least 250 words in approximately 40 minutes. The essay prompt is identical for Academic and General Training candidates, the only difference is that Academic candidates are typically expected to use slightly more sophisticated vocabulary and discuss topics in more abstract terms. Task 2 contributes two-thirds of your overall Writing band, making it the single most important piece of writing in the IELTS test.
Task 2 Academic at a glance
Academic Task 2 demands a 250-word essay in 40 minutes - see the official IELTS Academic Writing format.
The five Task 2 question types
Every Task 2 prompt falls into one of five recognisable types. Identifying the type correctly within the first 30 seconds is the most important strategic decision you make on the entire Writing test. Getting it wrong means writing the wrong kind of essay.
Opinion (Agree/Disagree)
The question states a position. You take a clear stance and defend it throughout. Often phrased "To what extent do you agree or disagree?"
Discussion (Both views + opinion)
Two opposing views presented. You discuss both before giving your own opinion. "Discuss both views and give your opinion."
Problem / Solution
A problem described. You discuss causes and propose solutions. "What problems does this cause and what solutions exist?"
Advantages / Disadvantages
You weigh pros and cons. Sometimes asks if benefits outweigh drawbacks. Requires balanced analysis.
The fifth type is the Two-part question: two distinct questions in one prompt that you must answer separately. Example: "Why is environmental damage increasing? What can be done about it?" Treat each question with its own paragraph.
Misreading the question type. Writing a Discussion essay when asked for your Opinion, or a Problem/Solution essay when asked for Advantages/Disadvantages, caps your Task Response score regardless of how polished your English is. Read the question twice before planning.
The four-paragraph structure that works for every type
While content differs by question type, a four-paragraph structure works for all five types. Consistency makes planning faster and lifts your Coherence score.
Introduction
Paraphrase question, state position (~40 words)
Body paragraph 1
Main point with example/explanation (~90 words)
Body paragraph 2
Second point with example/explanation (~90 words)
Conclusion
Restate position, brief summary (~40 words)
Some band 8+ candidates use three body paragraphs. This works but requires more time and tighter writing. For most candidates, two well-developed body paragraphs score higher than three rushed ones.
How Task 2 Academic is marked
Task Response
Did you address all parts of the question? Is your position clear and consistent? Are your ideas developed with examples and explanations?
25% of Task 2Coherence & Cohesion
Logical paragraph structure? Natural flow between ideas? Linking devices used appropriately, not over-used?
25% of Task 2Lexical Resource
Range of academic vocabulary? Precise word choice? Less common items used naturally without errors?
25% of Task 2Grammatical Range & Accuracy
Variety of complex sentence structures? Conditionals, passives, relative clauses used correctly?
25% of Task 2Planning Task 2 in 3 minutes
Three minutes of planning before writing transforms Task 2 essays. Candidates who skip planning and start writing immediately almost always score lower than candidates who plan briefly first.
- Minute 1. Identify the question type. Underline key words in the prompt. Confirm what you are being asked to do.
- Minute 2. Brainstorm two strong points. Write them as short phrases, not full sentences.
- Minute 3. Decide your position. Write a one-line plan: Intro to Point 1 to Point 2 to Conclusion. Pick one concrete example for each body paragraph.
Total planning: 3 minutes. Total writing: 32 minutes. Total checking: 5 minutes. This is band 7+ candidate timing.
What makes Academic Task 2 different from General
The Task 2 prompt is identical for Academic and General Training. However, Academic candidates are typically expected to demonstrate slightly more sophisticated language. The expectations differ in subtle but important ways:
Expected register
- More formal academic vocabulary
- Abstract concepts and theoretical examples
- Cause-and-effect reasoning
- Hedged language (often, tends to, may)
- References to studies, research, statistics (even invented)
Expected register
- Clear formal vocabulary but less abstract
- Personal experience and concrete examples acceptable
- Practical reasoning sufficient
- Direct opinions and assertions
- Real-world examples preferred
While the expectations differ subtly, both Academic and General Training Task 2 essays are marked against the same four criteria. A General Training candidate writing in a more academic register is not penalised. The difference is in what examiners typically expect from each test type, not in how they mark.
Academic vs General Training Task 2: what examiners expect
| Aspect | Academic Task 2 | General Training Task 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Vocabulary | More abstract and formal | Clear and formal, but less abstract |
| Examples | Studies, data and well-known cases | Personal and real-world examples |
| Statistics | Plausible invented figures are fine | Not needed, use real examples |
| Reasoning | Theoretical, cause and effect | Practical and common sense |
| Opinion language | Hedged (often, tends to, may) | Direct opinions are fine |
| Marking criteria | The same 4 criteria | The same 4 criteria |
The mistakes that cost most candidates half a band
Writing without taking a clear position
Presenting both sides without committing to a view caps your Task Response at band 5. Take a clear stance, even if it is "I partially agree", and defend it consistently throughout.
Generic examples that fit any essay
"Many studies have shown" is not an example. "A 2020 Oxford University study of 5,000 participants found that..." is. Examples should be specific and verifiable, even if you invent reasonable details.
Memorised paragraphs about generic topics
Candidates sometimes memorise paragraphs about "technology", "education" or "environment" and try to fit them into any essay. Examiners spot this immediately because the memorised text rarely addresses the specific question.
Conclusion that introduces new ideas
The conclusion should restate your position and briefly summarise your main points. Introducing a new argument or example in the conclusion confuses the structure and lowers Coherence.
Many candidates write "On the one hand... on the other hand..." without ever committing to a view. They think this looks sophisticated. To examiners, it looks like the candidate could not decide. Take a clear position. Acknowledge the opposing view briefly, but your stance must be unambiguous.
Band 6 vs Band 7 paragraph comparison
Here is a body paragraph from an essay on renewable energy at two band levels.
"Renewable energy is good for the environment. It does not produce pollution like oil and coal. Also it does not cause climate change. For example, solar panels do not make any bad gases. So governments should support renewable energy."
"Renewable energy sources offer substantial environmental benefits compared to fossil fuels. Unlike coal or oil, solar and wind power generate electricity without releasing greenhouse gases, the primary driver of climate change. Denmark, for instance, has reduced its national emissions by 40% since shifting to wind energy. This evidence strongly supports increased government investment in clean alternatives."
Choose your preparation path
Frequently asked questions
Is Task 2 the same for Academic and General Training?
The prompts are identical. The marking criteria are identical. The only difference is that Academic candidates typically use slightly more abstract vocabulary while General Training candidates can use more concrete personal examples. Both approaches can score band 9.
How many words should I write for Task 2 Academic?
Aim for 270-290 words. The minimum is 250. Going significantly above 300 is not penalised directly but tends to hurt quality because longer essays are harder to keep coherent.
Can I use personal examples in Academic Task 2?
Sparingly. Academic Task 2 favors objective examples (studies, statistics, well-known cases) over personal anecdotes. One brief personal example to illustrate a wider point is acceptable, but the essay should not rely on personal experience.
Should I include statistics in Task 2 even if I am not sure they are accurate?
Yes, plausible invented statistics improve your essay if they sound reasonable. "Research suggests around 40% of..." is fine even if you cannot cite the source. Wildly implausible statistics ("99% of people prefer...") lower your credibility.
How do I improve from Task 2 band 6 to band 7?
The most common gap is idea development. Band 6 essays state ideas but do not develop them with examples, explanations, or evidence. Band 7 essays take each idea further with at least 3-4 sentences of development. Practice extending every point before moving to the next.