IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 is the next of two writing tasks on the IELTS. And even though Task 1 is through no means easy, most students find IELTS Task that is writing 2 challenging. The goal of this guide is always to assist you to master the IELTS Writing Task 2 skills you need to carry out well on this important part of the IELTS exam. The question types you’ll see on test day, and share our favorite practice resources in addition to the basics of IELTS Writing Task 2, we’ll cover how to organize your essay.
Table of Contents
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IELTS Writing Task 2 Basics
IELTS Writing Task 1 vs. IELTS Task that is writing 2
IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 involves composing an official five-paragraph essay in 40 minutes. The section— that is first 1—should take you only 20 minutes. Why save money time on IELTS Writing Task 2? this comparison that is basic a few reasons:
- Points: Task 2 counts more to your Writing band score
Task 1 = 1/3rd of your score
Task 2 = 2/3rds of your score - Word count minimums: Task 2 is longer
Task 1 = 150 word minimum
Task 2 = 250 word minimum - Planning your response: Task 2 questions require more thought
Task 1 = transfer of information from a visual into writing
Task 2 = answer an open/abstract question with no clear or “correct” answer
Let’s look at some basic IELTS essay writing tips for IELTS Task that is writing 2
Handwritten Responses
The IELTS is a pencil and paper exam, which means that your responses may be handwritten. It is essential which you handwrite (don’t type!) your practice essays for Task 2. Writing by hand can help you develop a sense of pacing. Quite simply, you can expect to understand how quickly (or slowly!) you write with pencil and paper in English.
Importantly, as you’re probably aware, precious points will be deducted should you not meet up with the minimum word requirements in the Writing section. But it is a huge waste of time to actually count your words on exam day. Invest the the extra step of utilizing official IELTS Writing Task 2 response sheets (download and print them here), you can observe what amount of words you typically write for each page. You won’t need certainly to count because you will understand what that quantity of words appears like in the IELTS answer sheet.
Writing speed varies a lot from student to student. The manner in which you allocate time depends a lot on what fast you can easily write. The greater you practice Task 2 responses, the quicker you will become. Your goal ought to be to allow time that is enough these three things:
- Essay planning 2 – ten minutes
- Writing 25 – 32 minutes
- Editing 5 minutes (or even more if possible)
While you practice, try quite difficult to cut down regarding the length of time it takes to plan your responses before writing. Some students usually takes as much as ten minutes to brainstorm and plan. For most people, however, using ten minutes at the start will need away time that is too much writing and editing. I usually recommend 3 to 5 minutes of planning as a target that is reasonable. The greater practice questions you answer, the faster you will become at generating ideas before you write.
Academic/Formal Writing
The IELTS expects you to definitely use an writing style that is academic/formal. This means you need to use the same sorts of language that you would when writing a study for work or an essay for school. Obviously, you would avoid using “slang” words. You would also write in complete sentences and employ punctuation that is proper. Here are some additional popular features 123helpme log in of academic/formal writing to keep in mind for Task 2:
- Organize ideas into separate paragraphs: You will lose points if you do not divide your essay into paragraphs. Within the section that is next of post, I’ve included an IELTS Writing Task 2 response template. The template includes the essential paragraphs you ought to include in your Task 2 response. Broadly speaking, your essay will need to have an introduction paragraph, 2 – 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Write in complete sentences: Be sure each sentence you write has an clause that is independent a subject and verb. Whenever you write complex or compound sentences, use “connectors” like coordinating conjunctions (and, but, so, etc) or subordinating conjunctions (when, although, because, etc).
Avoid repetition of words and ideas: Your ideas should move in one to the next logically, and you should show off your vocabulary by avoiding redundancy (don’t repeat the same words again and again).
Avoid “slang:” The English you hear into the movies or continue reading social media marketing is normally inappropriate for formal writing. It really is a problem that is big use words like “dude” or spellings like “U” (for “you”) from the IELTS.
NOT ACADEMIC: this idea is hated by me! (Too excited/angry)
ACADEMIC: This idea has some problems to consider.
NOT ACADEMIC: Everyone is distracted by cellular phones these days.(Too broad)
ACADEMIC: many individuals are distracted by mobile phones these days.
NOT ACADEMIC: We have the solution that is best to your problem. (Too certain)
ACADEMIC: I would suggest this treatment for the difficulty.
IELTS Academic Task that is writing 2 Organization & Example
In this section, we will consider the overall structure of an IELTS Writing Task 2 response. Before we get to that, however, let’s take a good look at a sample Task 2 question. Read it over and take a moment to consider: How can you respond?
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Question
Planning Before You Write
When you encounter an IELTS Writing Task 2 question, try to decide what perspective you certainly will take fairly quickly. Unfortunately, the IELTS doesn’t provide you with enough time to repeat this. Making matters worse, it really is fairly likely which you won’t have strong, well-developed opinions concerning the topic. Don’t worry. Task 2 questions are (intentionally) debatable, with no answer that is clearly“correct.
Fortunately, unlike an essay you may write for work or school, it is not crucial that you present your opinions that are true the IELTS. Remember, the IELTS is an English language test. It’s not a test of everything you find out about the main topic of your Task 2 question. As you should present reasonable ideas in a definite and logical way, you can argue any region of the question and do well. Therefore, instead of worrying all about (and hanging out on) formulating your true opinion on your Task 2 topic, ask yourself the following question instead:
“What is the easiest way for me personally to answer this question?”
Can you think of some main ideas and/or examples quickly for starters side of an argument? Regardless if these ideas don’t fully represent your perspective, go with them just on the IELTS. You don’t want to waste a lot of time thinking about how to express your true opinions.
When you’ve chosen a perspective on the question, can be done some planning/brainstorming. Here are some planning notes for our sample Task 2 question (introduced above). On exam day, you won’t have a chart like this to fill in. The chart simply helps to result in the information much easier to read in this article. Basically, your aim within the planning phase is always to come up with a idea that is main each paragraph of one’s essay. We shall discuss all these paragraphs in more detail underneath the chart.