what is thesis statement in ielts writing task 2

How to write an IELTS thesis statement.

Ielts essay introductions and thesis statements..

updated: July 27th 2022. When writing the introduction of an IELTS essay there are two steps that need to be taken. Paraphrase the task question and write a Thesis Statement . If the question asks for an opinion then it must be in the thesis statement. It depends on the type of essay you are writing as they are not all the same. It is advisable to write a thesis in the introduction for every type of essay. A good thesis statement can help you get a good band score in task response in the writing section.

The thesis statement tells the examiner what the essay is going to be about and the conclusion of the essay paraphrases the thesis statement. Some teachers have other views and say that a thesis statement is not needed. There are different approaches to writing an IELTS essay. If you have 10 IELTS teachers in a room there will most likely be 10 different opinions on the matter.

In my opinion, a thesis statement is logical and shows the reader what to expect in the rest of the essay. However, do not confuse Thesis statements with memorised outline sentences. See this link here about that.

What exactly is a thesis statement?

‘A thesis statement tells the reader what your essay is going to be about in one or two sentences. It usually includes your opinion or states your position’

• Don’t use rhetorical questions in the thesis. The thesis statement is not a question.
• Make it clear what you are going to write about briefly (1 or 2 sentences)
• If it’s an opinion essay, give 2 reasons for your opinion in the thesis statement.
• The thesis statement comes after paraphrasing the question.
• Do not write an outline sentence, these look like a cliche and memorised. Examiners are trained to spot memorised phrases, for instance: ‘ This essay would like to explore reasons for this in more detail’
• Don’t confuse thesis statements with the above outline sentence. Outline sentences are for very long academic essays. See this lesson here on phrases to avoid.

For each essay type this is what should be in the Thesis statement:

1. Opinion essays: write 2 reasons for your opinion. 2. Advantage disadvantage essays:  state the advantage and the disadvantage, 3. Problem solution essays:   briefly state 1 or 2 problems and possible solutions. 4 . Discussion essays: after paraphrasing both sides of the argument, give your opinion with a reason why you hold that view. 5. Two part question essays: answer the 1st question then answer the 2nd question briefly.

First you have to identify what kind of essay it is.

The first step before you begin to write is to make sure you understand the question, then identify what kind of essay this will be. There are 5 variations on an IELTS discursive essay click here to see a lesson on this .

Before you write the thesis statement you will need to paraphrase the question , click here for a lesson on this. Click here to see how to write a good introduction to a Problem Solution essay.

1. Discussion essay.

This is the Paraphrased introduction with a Thesis statement.

A number of people believe serious crimes need to have a set punishment, whereas others argue that the situation of the crime must be considered. I agree that the circumstances of the crime itself should be taken into account because every case is different.

Thesis Statement: ‘ I agree that the circumstances of the crime itself should be taken into account because every case is different’

It is important to give a brief reason for your view, the body paragraphs should expand on this. The examiner can clearly see your position in the introduction. In this essay, my position is that every case is different and a prison sentence would not be appropriate.

Note: For a more academic feel, rather than using a personal pronoun to state your opinion, you could state your position like this below:

This essay agrees that the circumstances of the crime itself should be taken into account because every case is different.

2. Opinon essay.

Again you need to paraphrase the question and then clearly agree or disagree , remember to choose just one side.. the words: ‘To what extent do you agree or disagree’ means how much do you agree/disagree, or how far do you agree/disagree. You should mention the other side of the argument but stick to your own opinion. Balanced essays do not necessarily get a higher band score.

Give 2 reasons for your view in the thesis statement here. This is the Paraphrased introduction with a Thesis statement:

It is argued that society would be better off if every type of advertising was prohibited. I disagree that all advertising should be disallowed as this policy would not benefit society and would negatively impact the economy.

Thesis statement: ‘ I disagree that all advertising should be disallowed as this policy would not benefit societ y and would negatively impact the economy.’

In this thesis statement I have clearly stated why I hold the opinion that advertising should not be banned with 2 reasons (no benefit to society and bad for the economy)  Remember to keep the introduction to under 55 words or it will be too long.

As mentioned before, you can use a more academic way to state your view, such as:

This essay disagrees that all advertising should be disallowed because this policy would not benefit society and would have a negative impact on the economy.

3. Advantages disadvantages essay.

This is the Paraphrased introduction with a Thesis statement:

In recent times, people can reside wherever they want in the world because of the progress that has made in technology and transport. The main advantage is the career opportunities that a person can get outside their own country, while a possible downside would be the stress of adjusting to living in a different culture.

Thesis statement: ‘ The main advantage is the career opportunities that a person can get outside their own country, while a possible downside would be the stress of adjusting to living in a different culture.’

Try keeping the whole introduction under 55 words as you don’t want it to look like a body paragraph. You can write about 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages, but you need to keep the introduction concise.

Another method is to just refer to the advantage and state the disadvantage, such as:

In recent times, people can reside wherever they want in the world because of the progress that has made in technology and transport. Although there are advantages, the downside would be the stress of adjusting to living in a different culture.’

This allows you to keep the thesis statement concise especially if you want to cover two advantages (or disadvantages)

4. Advantages disadvantages outweigh essay (this needs your opinion).

This type of advantage disadvantage essay is special because it asks ‘ Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?’. This means you have to write about what side you think is stronger and reflect that in the essay and also in the thesis statement. You need to state an opinion here.

Some experts argue that children should study a new language at primary school as opposed to secondary school. This essay agrees that the advantages are stronger than the disadvantages because youngsters pick up and master new languages much easier than at a high school age.

Thesis statement: ‘This essay agrees that the advantages are stronger than the disadvantages because youngsters pick up and master new languages much easier than at a high school age .’

I have underlined the reason for my opinion here. Giving a reason for your opinion is important in a thesis statement. The introduction is 44 words long so that will be fine. Remember to also address the other side of the issue in the main body paragraphs, the side you think is weaker.

Another method here is to use this style which is very concise at 32 words but it does not contain a reason for my view.

Some experts argue that youngsters should study a new language at primary school as opposed to secondary school. In my view, the advantages of younger children learning new languages outweigh the disadvantages.

5. Problem solution / causes solution essay.

People living in large cities have to deal with many issues in their day to day lives. The main problems people face are high rental costs and overcrowding. Some possible solutions would be to build more affordable housing and more green spaces.

Thesis statement: ‘ The main problems people face are high rental costs and overcrowding. Some possible solutions would be to build more affordable housing and more green spaces.’

I have listed 2 problems high rents, overcrowding and 2 solutions affordable housing, green spaces . You can choose just one problem and one solution and that would be fine.

6. Two part question (direct question essay).

The world wide web is a huge source of knowledge which has created opportunities for people worldwide to study. However, not all information on the internet can be trusted, so the government needs to put measures in place to protect people from false information.

Thesis statement: ‘ However, not all information on the internet can be trusted, so the government needs to put measures in place to protect people from false information.’

Two part question essays are sometimes called ‘Direct question’ essays. They consist of 2 direct questions in the task question. Sometimes they will ask for your opinion such as: Do you think….?  or   What do you think…?

If the question asks for the opinion then you must state it. You should briefly answer the 2 questions in the thesis statement then give more detail in the body paragraphs.

Check out the blog posts about how to identify the 5 essay types and also how to paraphrase the question . These are key stages before writing your thesis statement. Make sure your whole introduction is under 55 words or it will be too long.

Take a look here at how to write a good introduction in writing task 2. Now you can try.

Here is a Discussion essay question where you have to give your opinion. Can you write a Thesis statement for it?

Some people believe that the best way to deal with heavy traffic in city centres is for privately owned vehicles to be banned, others however think this is not a realistic solution.  Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

Task question again:

Some people believe that the best way to deal with heavy traffic in city centres is for privately owned vehicles to be banned, others however think this is not a realistic solution. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

Paraphrased introduction: Some people argue that prohibiting private cars from city centres is the best way to tackle traffic congestion, whereas others say that this is unrealistic.

Thesis statement: I agree that private vehicles should be banned from city centres and more investment needs to be put into public transportation to alleviate traffic jams.

Full introduction with thesis statement:

Some people argue that prohibiting private cars from city centres is the best way to tackle traffic congestion, whereas others say that this is unrealistic. I agree that private vehicles should be banned from city centres and more investment needs to be put into public transportation to alleviate traffic jams.

Leave a comment below if you have any questions..

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How to Write a Thesis Statement in IELTS Essay

Hey there, IELTS aspirants! We know writing a captivating essay can be a daunting task, especially when you're aiming for a high band score. The key to a well-structured and compelling IELTS essay lies in its foundation: the thesis statement. Understanding how to craft a powerful thesis statement can drastically improve your writing and, in turn, your IELTS band score.

In this in-depth guide, we'll delve into the nuts and bolts of creating a winning thesis statement using an authentic IELTS essay question as our example. And don't forget, if you want a complete roadmap for acing your IELTS writing, make sure to check out our comprehensive eBooks covering all IELTS modules, including grammar and vocabulary.

What is a Thesis Statement?

Let's face it, the IELTS writing task can seem overwhelming. You're under a time crunch, and you have to juggle grammar, vocabulary, and coherent arguments. That's where a thesis statement comes into play, acting as the backbone of your essay. When we say it's a 'one-sentence summary,' we mean that this single line encapsulates your standpoint and the essence of what you're about to discuss.

Think of your thesis statement as the mission statement of your essay. You wouldn't start a business without a mission statement, right? Similarly, your essay needs this crucial element to define its purpose and guide its structure. It sets the context and helps the reader anticipate what's coming next. If you're aiming for that band 8 or 9 in your IELTS writing, our eBooks on grammar and vocabulary can provide you with additional insights into crafting perfect thesis statements.

Why is a Thesis Statement Crucial in IELTS Writing?

Now, you might be wondering, "Is a thesis statement really that important?" The answer is a resounding yes! In IELTS Writing, it's not just about what you say, but how you say it. A clear and concise thesis statement is essentially your roadmap, indicating the main points you’ll traverse to reach your conclusion. It serves multiple purposes:

Clarity: The examiner needs to understand your standpoint quickly. A well-articulated thesis statement provides that clarity.

Cohesion and Coherence: As you proceed with your essay, every paragraph should be a natural extension of your thesis statement, creating a cohesive flow. It's much easier to maintain this flow when you have a clear reference point.

Argument Quality: A strong thesis statement often makes for a strong argument. It forces you to think about the points you need to make to substantiate your statement, leading to a more persuasive essay.

Scoring: If you're looking to go from a band 6 to a band 8, a well-crafted thesis statement is your ticket. It can make a significant difference in the "Task Response" and "Coherence and Cohesion" scoring categories.

If you've ever found yourself lost while writing or revising your essay, then our IELTS Essay Correction Service could be a game-changer for you. An examiner will give you tailored advice, highlight the strengths and weaknesses of your thesis statement, and offer in-depth explanations and strategies for improvement. Trust us, the insights you'll gain are invaluable for acing this challenging task.

So, start investing time in crafting a powerful thesis statement. With the right approach and practice, it'll become second nature to you. And if you're looking for that extra edge, don't forget to dive into our treasure trove of eBooks and take advantage of our Essay Correction Service .

How to Write an Effective Thesis Statement: A Step-by-Step Guide

Writing a compelling IELTS essay begins with a well-crafted thesis statement. If you’ve been struggling with this crucial component, you’re not alone. But don’t worry, we've got you covered. In this in-depth guide, we’re going to dissect the process step-by-step, using a real example from a past IELTS exam. And for those looking to sharpen their skills further, we'll show how our eBooks and Essay Correction Service can give you an unbeatable edge. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Understand the Question

Before you even think about writing, you need to thoroughly understand the question. Our example comes from a recent IELTS exam:

“Some people believe that school children should not be given homework by their teachers, whereas others argue that homework plays an important role in the education of children. Discuss both views and give your opinion.”

This question requires a balanced view and your personal opinion. It's crucial to identify the essay type because your thesis statement will differ based on what the prompt is asking for. For more insights into identifying different question types, our in-depth eBooks are a great resource, offering a plethora of examples and tips.

Step 2: Formulate Your Opinion

Now that you've decoded the question, it’s time to take a stand. Do you believe homework is essential or detrimental? Your viewpoint will form the crux of your thesis statement. If you're unsure or conflicted, our Essay Correction Service can be invaluable. You can submit practice essays based on similar questions, and our examiner will provide detailed feedback on the clarity and effectiveness of your stance.

Step 3: Write the Thesis Statement

You’re now ready to articulate your thesis statement. Make sure it is concise yet encapsulates both sides of the argument and your opinion. Based on our example question given above, a good thesis statement could be:

“While some argue that homework can be burdensome for students, I believe that it is indispensable for a well-rounded education.”

This statement not only addresses both sides of the argument but also clearly states your own viewpoint.

If the process still feels daunting, our Essay Correction Service is the perfect aid. When you submit your essay, our examiners don’t just correct your mistakes; they also provide comprehensive feedback on elements like your thesis statement. They will offer detailed insights into the strength of your argument, how well your thesis statement aligns with your essay, and even provide a band 9 sample response as a benchmark. It's an excellent way to get personalized, actionable advice to improve your writing.

Remember, crafting a stellar thesis statement is more than just a writing skill; it's a strategy that will take your IELTS essay to the next level. While it might seem tough at first, practice and insightful feedback can make it second nature. Make sure to check out our valuable eBooks for in-depth strategies and take advantage of our Essay Correction Service for tailored advice.

So why wait? Start practicing your thesis statement writing today and set yourself on the path to achieving your ideal IELTS band score!

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How to Write a Thesis Statement for IELTS Writing Task 2 ?

The IELTS Writing Task 2 is a challenging task that requires you to write an essay on a given topic in 40 minutes. One of the most important parts of your essay is the thesis statement. The thesis statement is the main argument or idea that you will be discussing in your essay. It sets the tone for your essay and guides the reader on what to expect. In this blog, we will discuss how to write a thesis statement for IELTS Writing Task 2.

What is a Thesis Statement?

A thesis statement is a sentence or two that summarizes the main point of an essay or research paper. It is usually placed in the introductory paragraph and provides a roadmap for the rest of the essay. The thesis statement should be specific, clear, and concise. It should also be arguable, meaning that there should be different opinions or perspectives on the topic.

Why is a Thesis Statement Important in IELTS Writing Task 2?

The thesis statement is an essential part of your  essay in IELTS Writing Task 2 . It tells the reader what to expect from your essay and sets the tone for the rest of the essay. A well-crafted thesis statement can help you to score higher in the exam. It shows that you have a clear understanding of the topic and have the ability to organize your ideas coherently.

Tips on Writing a Thesis Statement for IELTS Writing Task 2

1. understand the prompt.

The first step in writing a thesis statement for  IELTS Writing Task 2  is to understand the prompt. The prompt will provide you with a topic, and you need to ensure that you understand the topic before you start writing. Analyze the prompt and try to identify the keywords or phrases that can help you to develop your thesis statement.

2. Brainstorm Ideas

Once you have understood the prompt, the next step is to brainstorm ideas. Jot down all the ideas that come to your mind and try to connect them to the topic. Think about the main points that you want to make in your essay and how they relate to the topic. This will help you to develop a thesis statement that is specific and clear.

3. Make a Claim

The thesis statement should make a claim that is arguable. You should take a stance on the topic and provide a clear argument for your position. This will make your essay more interesting to read and help you to score higher in the exam. Avoid making a statement that is too general or vague, as it will not help you to develop a strong thesis statement.

4. Use Strong Language

Your thesis statement should use strong language that clearly states your position. Use phrases such as “I strongly believe that” or “It is clear that” to indicate your stance on the topic. Avoid using phrases such as “In my opinion” or “I think that,” as they make your thesis statement weak.

5. Keep it Concise

Your thesis statement should be concise and to the point. It should not be too long or complicated. Aim to write a thesis statement that is one or two sentences long and clearly conveys your main argument.

Examples of Thesis Statements for IELTS Writing Task 2

1. Prompt: Some people believe that social media has a negative impact on society. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of social media and give your opinion.

Thesis Statement: While social media has its advantages, such as connecting people from different parts of the world, it also has its disadvantages, such as the spread of fake news and cyberbullying. In my opinion, the negative impact of social media on society outweighs the positive impact.

2. Prompt: Some people believe that children should be allowed to use mobile phones in school. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.

Thesis Statement: Although mobile phones can be useful for educational purposes, such as researching information and communicating with teachers, they can also be a distraction and hinder students’ learning. Therefore, I believe that children should not be allowed to use mobile phones in school.

3. Prompt: Some people argue that the use of renewable energy is the key to a sustainable future. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy and give your opinion.

Thesis Statement: Renewable energy has many advantages, such as reducing carbon emissions and decreasing reliance on fossil fuels, but it also has its disadvantages, such as high initial costs and intermittency. In my opinion, the benefits of renewable energy outweigh the drawbacks, and it is crucial for a sustainable future.

4. Prompt: Some people think that parents should be responsible for teaching their children how to manage money. Others believe that schools should be responsible for this. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Thesis Statement: While parents play a crucial role in teaching their children about money management, schools can also contribute to this by providing financial education and practical skills. Therefore, both parents and schools should share the responsibility of teaching children how to manage money.

In conclusion, writing a strong thesis statement is crucial for success in IELTS Writing Task 2. The thesis statement sets the tone for your essay and guides the reader on what to expect. To write a strong thesis statement, you need to understand the prompt, brainstorm ideas, make a claim, use strong language, and keep it concise. By following these tips, you can develop a thesis statement that is specific, clear, and arguable. Don’t forget to provide supporting evidence and examples in your essay to strengthen your argument. With practice, you can master the art of writing a strong thesis statement and achieve success in IELTS Writing Task 2.

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Thesis Statement In IELTS Writing

• Post author By Simple IELTS Solutions
• Post date May 6, 2022
• 4 Comments on Thesis Statement In IELTS Writing

When writing an introduction to an IELTS Task 2 essay you want to include 3 things:

• Paraphrase the question
• Thesis statement
• Outline statement

This post is for anyone who is unsure of what a thesis statement is or how they should write one. By the end of this post, you will know exactly why a thesis statement is important and how to make sure you are writing them correctly. On top of that, you will be able to write a brilliant introductory paragraph every time.

Let us look at an example question.

This is an opinion essay question:

Some people think that governments must insist on preserving the traditional appearance of old buildings undergoing renovation or redevelopment.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement?

I will write the introduction paragraph by doing 3 things; paraphrasing the question, writing a thesis statement and writing an outline statement.

Paraphrasing the question

You paraphrase the question by saying a similar thing but using different words and phrases. This is a good way to start your essay and ensure that you are talking about the correct topic.

It is only the first part of the question that we paraphrase. If I were to paraphrase the above question, I may say something like this.

This is the original question:

But I don’t want to use the same words as the questions so I use synonyms instead.

Many people believe that governments should ensure that historic buildings maintain their original aesthetic appearance.

This sentence says the same thing as the first part of the question but it is going to impress the reader (examiner) because it uses different language.

What is a thesis statement?

The thesis statement tells the reader (or IELTS examiner) what the essay will be about and introduce the main ideas. Also, if the question is asking your opinion this is where it should first be included. It is typically just 1 or 2 sentences and is going to act a little like a topic sentence for the whole essay.

If you don’t know about topic sentences, follow this link.

How to write a thesis sentence

The thesis statement introduces what the essay will be about but it may be slightly different depending on the different types of essay questions.

This is a summary of things that you may want to include in the topic sentence for each essay type:

Opinion Essay – Write 1 or 2 reasons for your opinion (you don’t need to explain further at this stage)

Advantages & Disadvantages – Write and advantage and disadvantage

Problem & Solution Essay – Give 1 or 2 problems and a solution

Discussion Essay – Talk about both sides of the argument and give your opinion (if asked).

Double Question Essay – Answer both questions but only briefly.

Let us have a look at an example question, I’ll paraphrase the question and write a thesis statement for it.

My thesis for the question that we talked about may look something like this:

I absolutely agree that preserving historic buildings is a vital part of protecting a country’s historical culture for future generations.

The above is the thesis statement, it tells the reader what I think.

The outline statement

Finally, you must outline the things that you will talk about in the rest of the essay. This gives the reader (examiner) an idea of what will be covered in the essay and helps keep you focused on your writing.

An outline statement for our example question in the introduction paragraph may be something like this:

This essay will explore the reasons why protecting old buildings is so important, the main reason being to safeguard an area’s history.

Now let us see this all together. Firstly, let us look at the question again.

This is my introduction paragraph including the thesis statement and outline statement.

Many people believe that governments should ensure that historic buildings maintain their original aesthetic appearance. I absolutely agree that preserving historic buildings is a vital part of protecting a country’s historical culture for future generations. This essay will explore the reasons why protecting old buildings is so important, the main reason being to safeguard an area’s history.

The thesis statement is in bold.

This is a discussion essay question, write the introduction paragraph by paraphrasing the question and adding the thesis statement.

Some people think that getting a degree from a university is the best way to guarantee a good job, others believe that it would be better to go straight into work and get experience instead.

Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Tell me your thesis statement in the comments below.

Next time you are writing an IELTS writing task 2 essay (or any essay) make sure to include a thesis statement to help the reader to know exactly what your answer will be about.

To find out how I would plan an IELTS Task 2 essay, follow this link.

4 replies on “Thesis Statement In IELTS Writing”

[…] To learn about another important part of your introduction follow the link to a post about the &#821… […]

[…] To find out how to write the perfect introduction paragraph every time, follow this link. […]

Hello there! This post couldn’t be written much better! Looking at this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He continually kept preaching about this. I will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he’ll have a great read. Thanks for sharing!

Many thanks, I am very glad that you like it.

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IELTS Preparation with Liz: Free IELTS Tips and Lessons, 2024

• Test Information FAQ
• Band Scores
• IELTS Candidate Success Tips
• Computer IELTS: Pros & Cons
• How to Prepare
• Useful Links & Resources
• Recommended Books
• Writing Task 1
• Writing Task 2
• Speaking Part 1 Topics
• Speaking Part 2 Topics
• Speaking Part 3 Topics
• 100 Essay Questions
• On The Day Tips
• Top Results
• Advanced IELTS

IELTS Writing Task 2: Tips, Lessons & Models

Success in IELTS writing task 2 is based on using the right techniques. These free tips, model essays, lessons, videos and information will help develop the skills for writing task 2. This page will teach you how to maximise your IELTS writing task 2 score.

All lessons are on this page are for both GT and Academic writing task 2.

On this page, you will find for free:

• Test Information for Writing Task 2
• Practice essay questions
• Essential tips for IELTS writing task 2
• Free video lessons
• Model essays
• Practice lessons to improve your IELTS essay writing (paraphrasing, skills, ideas, spelling etc

Although some lessons are dated from years ago, all lessons and tips are 100% relevant to IELTS writing task 2 today. 

1. IELTS Writing Task 2 Test Information

Learn about your IELTS writing task 2 test.

• IELTS recommend you spend no more than 40 mins on writing task 2. However, the time is yours to manage as you wish.
• You should write  over 250 words. In the lessons below you will learn about word count and essay length.
• Learn how your total writing score is calculated: Total Writing Score Calculations
• Task Response (25%)
• Coherence & Cohesion (25%)
• Vocabulary (25%)
• Grammar (25%)
• For band score tips and details, see this page: IELTS Writing Task 2 Band Scores 
• Academic writing task 2 is a formal essay. The common types of essays are: Opinion, Discussion, Advantage/Disadvantage, Direct Questions, Solutions. These categorisations will differ from teacher to teacher depending on how they like to teach. See below for 100 IELTS Essay Questions to practise at home.
• GT writing task 2 is the same as Academic IELTS. The essay is written in the same way and the scoring is the same. The only difference is that GT essay questions are often easier and topics are simpler.
• All words will be counted, even small or repeated words. See this page: How Words are Counted
• COMPUTER DELIVERED IELTS: See the following link to read Pros and Cons of Computer Based IELTS : 
• For more information about IELTS test rules and info, see this page: IELTS  Test FAQ

2. IELTS Practice Essay Questions

Practice essay questions to help you prepare ideas for topics in IELTS writing task 2. These questions have been written based on questions reported by IELTS students. They are not IELTS tests.

Over 100 IELTS Essay Questions

3. Essential IELTS Writing Task 2 Tips

The most important writing tips for a strong IELTS essay in writing task 2. Learn about the recommended essay length, how to plan your essay, when to give your opinion and how to write an introduction etc.

How many paragraphs for an IELTS essay? : Essay structure

Key Linking Words List : Academic Vocabulary

Types of IELTS Essays : Main Essay Types in Writing Task 2

Video:  How to write an introduction paragraph : Complete lesson

Essay Planning Tips : How to plan your IELTS essay

Common Essay Topics : 20 Most Common Essay Topics

Video:  Essay Length Advice : How long should your essay be?

Video:  Official Writing Answer Sheet Tips : Using the answer sheet

When to give your opinion : Opinion Essay Tips

Video  Using the last 5 minutes : Exam technique tips

Video: Paraphrasing Tips

Finding Ideas : Developing ideas for essay topics

4. More Video & Tips for Writing Task 2

• Deleting Words in your Essay
• Should I indent the first word of my paragraphs?
• 10 sentences to avoid in your IELTS essay
• Video:  How to add examples to your essay
• Tips: Under Words Penalty
• Do advantages outweigh disadvantages tips?
• Video:   How to give your opinion
• Can you use quotes, idioms or proverbs in your essay?
• Handwriting: Using cursive writing or not
• Essay Questions from 2016
• Writing a Long Introduction: Good or Bad?
• Video : Single-sex & Mixed Schools 
• Video : Grammar – How to Add a Clause
• Video : Grammar – Connecting Sentences
• Video : Conclusion Linkers
• Video : Discussion Essay Useful Language
• Video : Using the Last 5 Minutes Tips
• Video : Should Ideas be Interesting?
• New Essay Topics for 2023

All Free IELTS Writing Task 2 Videos Lessons

5. Model Essays

Sample essays for IELTS writing task 2. These high score model essays will help you understand how to answer the essay questions and how to structure your writing.

• Agree Disagree Opinion Essay: Health
• Advantages & Disadvantages Essay: Language
• Cause  Solution Essay: Crime & Punishment
• Direct Questions Essay: Happiness
• Opinion Essay: Social Media
• Discussion Essay: Work
• Direct Questions Essay: Family
• Direct Questions Essay: Art
• Positive or Negative Development: Social Media
• 2 Model Essays about Economy & Money /Buildings
• Model Essay & Question for Topic of Education
• Two Question Essay: Technology

6. Practice Lessons for Writing Task 2

Develop your IELTS writing skills and get useful ideas for many essay questions. Lessons are in order of date and new lessons will be added over time.

• New Essay Topics in 2023 (these are new topics only. You also need to prepare all common topics as well)
• IELTS Essay Topics Prediction 2022
• Grammar Test : Using “the” with countries and nationalities
• Paraphrasing Practice 1
• Paraphrasing Practice 2
• Paraphrasing Practice 3
• Essay Questions for 2017 – questions reported in the test this year.
• Using Passive Voice for Giving Opinions
• Essay Ideas: Employment Competition
• Writing Skills: Paraphrasing Practice
• Writing Skills: Improving Sentences (2)
• Essay Ideas: The Importance of History
• Essay Ideas: Housing & Trees 
• Essay Ideas: International Aid
• Essay Ideas: City Transport
• Essay Ideas: Salaries
• Essay Ideas: Function of Schools
• Essay Ideas: Female Staff in Senior Positions
• Writing Skills: Punctuation Practice
• Writing Skills: Linking Word Practice
• Essay Ideas: Littering in Cities
• Listen and Write Dictation: Natural Disasters
• Discussion Essay with Feedback: Music Topic
• Writing Skills: Improving Sentences: Ebooks Topic
• Essay Ideas: Banning Mobile Phones
• Two Question Essay with Feedback: Judging Business Success
• Essay Ideas: Tourism and Local Communities
• Essay Ideas: Traffic & Pollution
• Writing Skills: Improving a Thesis Statement
• Writing Skills: Improving Sentences (1)
• Essay Ideas: Handwriting Skills
• Essay Ideas: Promoting to Children
• Essay Ideas: Older or Younger Leaders
• Writing Skills: Introduction Feedback
• Writing Skill: Opinion Essay Introduction Feedback
• Writing Skills: Opinion Essay Body Paragraphs
• Writing Skills: Opinion Essay Introduction
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IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Structures

The four most common IELTS writing Task 2 questions are: Opinion, Advantages and Disadvantages, Problem and Solution Discussion

IELTS Task 2 Essay Structures

Knowing how to structure your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay is an essential skill that can make the difference between getting and not getting the band score you deserve. With that in mind, we have outlined the most common IELTS Writing Task 2 structures below.

Nearly all of my Task 2 essays follow this basic structure: The sentences you put in each paragraph will depend on what type of question you get.

The five most common IELTS Writing Task 2 questions are:

• Opinion (Agree or Disagree)
• Advantages and Disadvantages
• Problem and Solution
• Discussion (Discuss both views)
• Two-part Question

Below I will outline examples and a structure approved by experienced IELTS teachers and examiners for each type of question. This will help you write a clear, coherent answer and hopefully boost your IELTS band score. I also include an example answer for each type of question so you can see the structure in a real essay.

Please note that these are general structures and may vary slightly depending on the question.

Please also note that no ‘one’ Task 2 essay structure will get you a high score. There are many types of structures that can get you a high score. These are just some I think are effective and easy to learn. 

Please visit the lessons below for more detailed guidance on each type of question. I have provided a link at the end of each section.

Opinion Questions (Agree or Disagree) 

Typical Question Words –

What is your opinion?

Do you agree or disagree?

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Direct question.

Example Question –

Some people believe that unpaid community service should be compulsory in high school programmes (for example, working for a charity, improving the neighbourhood or teaching sports to younger children).

Essay Structure 

Introduction 

1- Paraphrase Question

2- Give your opinion and outline the main ideas.

Main Body Paragraph 1 

1- Topic Sentence

2- Explain Topic Sentence

Main Body Paragraph 2

Conclusion 

1- Summary of main points and opinion

Student Sample Answer

It is argued that volunteering should be made part of the school curriculum. This essay agrees with that suggestion completely because it help pupils develop soft skills and helps them gain much-needed work experience.

Education should not be limited to strictly academic pursuits, and those in education should also develop life skills, such as teamwork, empathy and self-discipline, and one of the best ways to hone these aptitudes is through community service. Serving those less fortunate than ourselves teaches us many lessons, including how to work with people from other backgrounds and the value of hard work, thus enabling us to hone these skills before becoming an adult. For example, many young people from wealthier countries take a gap year and help those less fortunate than themselves to increase their gratitude for what they have and improve their work ethic.

Many colleges and companies are also increasingly looking for this type of experience. Most school leavers have the same grades, and charitable work can help set you apart from other students when making college applications. For example, Cambridge and Oxford receive thousands of applications from straight-A students yearly and can only accept a small percentage of applicants. What you have done outside the classroom often differentiates you from everyone else and gets you that coveted spot.

In conclusion, teenagers should be made to partake in unpaid work as part of their schooling because it will help them learn things they wouldn’t ordinarily learn from their teachers, and it will also boost their chances of getting into third-level education.

For more detail on how to answer agree or disagree questions, please visit our opinion essay lesson . 

Need help writing essays like this? Check out our ESSAY CORRECTION SERVICE .

Advantages and Disadvantages Questions

Typical Question Words 

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Example Question

Technology is being used more and more in education.

Essay Structure

2- Outline Main Points

Main Body Paragraph 1

1- State Two Advantages

2- Expand/Explain First Advantage

3- Expand/Explain Second Advantage

1- State Two Disadvantages

2- Expand/Explain First Disadvantage

3- Expand/Explain Second Disadvantage

1- Summary of Main Points

Student Sample Answer 

It is argued that technology plays an ever-increasing role in schools and universities. Increased access to information and student freedom are the main advantages, whereas dependency on technology and decreasing levels of face-to-face contact are the main disadvantages.

Access to more information and student autonomy are the principal advantages of increasing the use of electronic devices in education. With the internet, students can access all the information available about any topic, regardless of what books and other resources are available in the school. Furthermore, students can focus on whatever topic or subject they want and study it in depth. A prime example of this is the number of online university courses available to students, covering a myriad of subjects that, up until recently, were unavailable to most learners. This has resulted in more people studying third-level degrees than ever before at a pace and schedule that suits them.

The main disadvantages associated with the increasing use of technology in education are the dependency on this technology and the decrease in face-to-face interaction between students. With many students now using the internet as their primary source of information, they often struggle to use other academic resources to find what they’re looking for. As well as this, students spend more time looking at computer screens by themselves than interacting with each other, which is thought to lead to lower levels of emotional intelligence. For instance, the recent explosion in smartphone use has been at the expense of genuine human interaction. This results in soft skills, such as verbal communication and empathy, being affected.

In conclusion, the benefits technology brings to education, such as unrestricted access to information and student autonomy, must be weighed against the drawbacks, such as dependency on this technology and the negative effects on human interaction.

For more detail on how to answer advantage and disadvantage questions, please visit our  advantage and disadvantage lesson . 

Discuss Both Views Question (Discussion Essay)  

Discuss both points of view and give your opinion.

Example Question 

Technology is being used more and more in education. Some people say that this is a positive trend, while others argue that it is leading to negative consequences.

Discuss both sides of this argument and then give your own opinion.

1- Paraphrase Question and/or state both viewpoints.

2- Thesis Statement

3- Outline Sentence

1- State first viewpoint

2- Discuss first viewpoint

3- Reason why you agree or disagree with viewpoint

4- Example to support your view

1- State second viewpoint

2- Discuss second viewpoint

Sentence 1- Summary

Sentence 2- State which one is better or more important

There is an ever-increasing use of technology, such as tablets and laptops, in the classroom. It is often argued that this is a positive development, whilst others disagree and think it will lead to adverse ramifications. This essay agrees that an increase in technology is beneficial to students and teachers.

The Internet has provided students with access to more information than ever before. This has allowed learners to research and learn about any subject at the touch of a button. It is therefore agreed that technology is a very worthwhile tool for education. Wikipedia is a prime example, where students can type in any keyword and gain access to in-depth knowledge quickly and easily.

However, many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human interaction. Human interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse, debate and empathy. Without these soft skills, many people find it difficult to become successful in work and their personal lives. Despite this, human interaction is still possible through the internet, and this essay disagrees that technology should be dismissed for this reason. For instance, Skype and Facebook allow people to interact in ways that were never before possible.

While the benefits of technology, particularly the internet, allow students to tap into limitless sources of information, some still feel that people should be wary of this new phenomenon and not allow it to curb face-to-face interaction. However, as long as we carefully consider the importance of human interaction in education, the educational benefits are clearly positive.

For more detail on how to answer discussion questions please visit our  discussion essay lesson . 

Problem and Solution Questions

Problem and solution.

Cause and solution.

Students are becoming more and more reliant on technology.

What are some of the problems associated with reliance on computers, and what are some of the possible solutions?

2- Outline Sentence

1- State Problems

2- Explain First Problem

3- Explain Second Problem

4- Example of Second Problem

1- State Solutions

2- Explain First Solution

3- Explain Second Solution

4- Example of Second Solution

Learners are becoming increasingly dependent on technology, such as the Internet and mobile devices. This essay believes the main problems associated with dependence on computers are the lack of original thought and copying original work from others and suggests critical thinking classes and writing analysis software as the most viable solutions.

The principal problems with over-reliance on technology are people being unable to think for themselves and plagiarism. With access to so much information, students often rely on other people’s opinions instead of forming their own. As well as this, they often use search engines to answer a question and copy the text from a website rather than thinking about the question. This practice is prohibited in schools and universities and stunts students’ intellectual development because they will never truly think for themselves, which is what university is supposed to be for. For example, many teachers complain that students copy web pages straight from Wikipedia word for word rather than giving a reasoned answer to their questions.

Solutions to these worrying problems are special classes to focus on critical thinking and teachers using anti-plagiarism software to detect copying. If teachers create situations where students have to infer meaning and express opinions based on a small amount of information, this will ensure that students have an opportunity to develop these skills. Also, if students know that their assignments are being checked for plagiarism, this will be enough to deter them from doing so. For instance, many universities already use this kind of software to scan coursework for plagiarism, and it could be extended to include all homework by learners in both secondary and tertiary education.

In conclusion, the main problems with the overuse of technology in education are the lack of original thought and plagiarism. These can be solved through special classes that teach students analytical skills and plagiarism detection software.

For more detail on how to answer problem and solution questions please visit our  problem and solution lesson . 

Two-Part Questions

There will normally be a statement, and they will then ask you to answer separate questions.

As most people spend a major part of their adult life at work, job satisfaction is an important element of individual wellbeing.

What factor contributes to job satisfaction?

How realistic is the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers?

2- Outline Sentence (mention both questions)

1- Answer first question directly

2- Explain why

3- Further explain

1- Answer second question directly

As most adults spend most of their time at work, being content with your career is a crucial part of a person’s health and happiness. This essay will first suggest fair pay as a key element leading to job satisfaction, and it will then state that it is not very likely that everyone can be happy with their job.

The most important thing that satisfies someone at work is being compensated fairly. If those more senior than you respect you as a person and the job you are doing, then you feel like you are valued. A fair salary and benefits are important marks of respect, and if you feel you are being underpaid, you will either resent your bosses or look for another job. These two factors came top of a recent job satisfaction survey conducted by Monster.com, which found that 72% of people were pleased with their current role if their superiors regularly told them they were appreciated.

With regard to the question of happiness for all workers, I think this is and always will be highly unlikely. The vast majority of people fail to reach their goals and end up working in a post they don’t really care about in return for a salary. This money is just enough to pay their living expenses which often means they are trapped in a cycle of disenchantment. For example, The Times recently reported that 89% of office workers would leave their jobs if they did not need the money.

In conclusion, being satisfied with your trade or profession is an important part of one’s well-being, and respect from one’s colleagues and fair pay can improve your level of happiness; however, job satisfaction for all workers is an unrealistic prospect.

Can I get a band 8 or 9 following these structures? 

Nobody can give you a Task 2 IELTS structure that guarantees high scores. Your score is dependent on how good your grammar and vocabulary are and how well you answer the question. A good structure will help you answer the question to some extent and boost your score for coherence and cohesion, but you must use relevant ideas and use these ideas well to answer the question.

You can see how my student scored a Band 8.5 in IELTS Writing here:

Next Steps 

We hope you found those IELTS Writing Task 2 structures useful. Looking for some more sample questions? Here are over 100 sample questions from past exam papers.

If you would personalised feedback and guidance until you get the score you need, you can join the Waiting List for my VIP Course here.

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My name is Christopher Pell and I'm the Managing Director of IELTS Advantage.

I started IELTS Advantage as a simple blog to help 16 students in my class. Several years later, I am very humbled that my VIP Course has been able to help thousands of people around the world to score a Band 7+ in their IELTS tests.

If you need my help with your IELTS preparation, you can send me an email using the contact us page.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Lessons & Tips

These  IELTS writing task 2  lessons, strategies and tips will show you how to write an IELTS essay. They go through all the various types of essay that you may get and instructions on how to best answer them.

For the Task 2, general or academic modules, you have to write an essay that must be a minimum of 250 words. You have 40 minutes. 

These lessons are free and teach you all the key things you need to know about the IELTS writing task 2, such as writing an introduction, analysing essay questions, writing for a band 7, developing coherency and understanding opinion essays.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Lessons:

How to write an ielts essay:  .

IELTS Essay This starter lessons tells you in simple steps how to structure and write a basic IELTS essay. 

Getting Ready to Write:

Identifying the Topic Learn how to identify the topic of an essay question in order to help you answer it correctly. 

Identifying the Task This IELTS practice will help you identify the task of an essay question. The most important thing to make sure you answer the question. 

Brainstorming and Planning In this IELTS lesson, learn how brainstorm ideas for your essay and how to extend those ideas and create a plan.

IELTS Task Response In this lesson we look at the dangers of not properly answering an IELTS writing task 2 essay question.

Ideas for IELTS Candidates often worry about not having any ideas for IELTS essay topics. This gives you some advise on how to generate ideas. 

Parts of an Essay:

IELTS Essay Introduction This lesson explains how you should approach writing an introduction for an IELTS Task 2 essay. 

Writing a Thesis Statement The thesis statement is an important part of your essay, so this lesson explains how to write thesis statements for different essay types. 

Paragraph Writing Writing clear and well-organized paragraphs is essential for your essay, so here you will learn about the basic elements that make up a good paragraph . 

IELTS Essay Conclusion Learn how to write a quick conclusion for an IELTS essay.

Coherency and Cohesion:

Writing Coherence One way to improve coherency in your writing is to use transition words. This lesson teaches you how. 

Pronouns Your writing must be coherent, and this IELTS practice lesson shows you how pronouns can help you to do this

Substitution Learn how to use substitution in IELTS to improve your cohesion and quality of writing.

Getting a High Band:

How to get an IELTS Writing band 7 There is no quick way to achieve this, but this lesson provides some general guidance on what is required to get an IELTS band 7 in the writing module. 

Band 7 Transitional Phrases for Essays Learn about useful phrases that can be used to improve the sophistication of your writing in argumentative essays.

How to Score IELTS Band 8 This lesson tell you more about how the scoring works for band 8 writing and how long it can take you to get a band 8.

Essay Types:

Problem Solution Essays Learn how to write a problem solution essay for the IELTS test - a quick method that will produce a well-organized answer.

IELTS Opinion Essays Get an overview of the various types of essay that ask for your opinion in the test.

Advantage Disadvantage Essay This lesson shows you how to write an IELTS advantage disadvantage essay that requires you to give an opinion. 

A Complex Essay Question This lesson shows you how to answer a more complex IELTS essay question that does not have a straightforward 'task' given to guide you.

Style and Tone:

Personal Pronouns in Essays Can you use personal pronouns such as 'I', 'our' and 'we' in IELTS essays? Find out more in this lesson.

More IELTS Writing Task 2 Resources

Ielts essay questions.

Here you can check out recent IELTS test essay questions from 2018 and earlier that candidates have posted, and also common essay questions and topics that have come up in the IELTS writing task 2:

Latest IELTS Writing Topics

Common Essay Questions and Topics

IELTS Writing Task 2 eBook

Best Selling Writing eBook

Do you need more help to write a great essay for IELTS?

If so, check out our best-selling Step-by-step Guide to Writing a Task 2 Essay  

IELTS Writing Task 2 Forums

You can also get more great tips from the questions people have asked in the IELTS Forums about the IELTS writing task 2.

There are two relevant forums:

• IELTS Writing Task 2 Forum (topics & questions about the essay)
• IELTS Writing Band 7 Forum (dedicated to those needing a 7)

These are some of the most popular questions that have been asked about the IELTS essay in the Writing Forums:

• How do I answer agree / disagree type IELTS essay questions?
• What if I know nothing about the IELTS essay topic?
• How do I manage my time in the IELTS Writing Test?
• How do I format the essay on the test day?
• Can you explain these confusing essay questions?
• Why is it difficult to get an IELTS writing band 7?
• What are some strategies to get an IELTS band 8?

And remember you can ask your own questions so please visit the forum if you have any questions about the IELTS Writing Task 2. 

• IELTS Writing Tips

These are some of the top tips for IELTS writing:

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Your Guide to Thesis Statements for All 5 Types of IELTS Essays

• October 06, 2022

Getting the exact IELTS band score you need for your dream program can be challenging, especially when it comes to the writing section. However, by learning effective writing skills, you will be sure to improve and get the score that you need.

For writing task 2, one of the most important skills for a high band score is thesis statement writing.

Read the post to learn more about thesis statements or skip to the section that most interests you.

Why do I need to write a thesis statement?

According to the British Council, the rubric for IELTS Writing Task 2 is made of four sections: Task Response,        Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resources, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.

The second section, Coherence and Cohesion, is all about how effectively you can arrange information and connect your ideas. In short, this part assesses your essay structure.

If you want to show your teacher or test grader that you have great essay structure, learn to write a clear and strong thesis statement.

When an instructor or grader sees a good thesis statement, it signals that the essay writer knows what they are doing. It shows that the essay will be constructed of thoughtful points that are carefully connected, hopefully with transition phrases and other tools that create cohesion and readability.

In other words, a good thesis creates a good first impression.

What is a thesis statement?

An entire book could be written about the thesis statement, but it can be summarized as follows: one or two sentences that summarize the main points of the essay.

One way to think of a thesis statement is as a kind of preview or summary. Consider the last time you discovered a new show on Netflix or another streaming service.

There is probably a good chance that you picked that show for a few reasons: the cover image looked cool, the trailer seemed interesting, and the summary paragraph made the show sound enticing.

A thesis statement is like that preview paragraph on Netflix. Just like Netflix tells us what a show is about, the thesis statement tells us what an essay is about.

How do I write a thesis statement?

Before we discuss thesis statement writing, let’s quickly review the basic structure of IELTS essays.

As mentioned in our last post about IELTS Writing Task 2 , IELTS essays generally have four paragraphs:

• One introduction paragraph.
• Two body paragraphs.
• One conclusion paragraph.

The body paragraphs should each focus on one main point or idea. The thesis, which should be part of the intro paragraph, combines these two main points into a single sentence.

For example, if your essay is about reasons why Toronto is a great place to live, then your thesis will summarize the two main reasons like this:

Toronto is a great place to live because of job availability and endless options for leisure activities.

For the above topic, the first body paragraph will focus on job availability, and the second body paragraph will focus on leisure activities.

How can I write a thesis if I don’t know what my main points are?

The answer is that you don’t.

Contrary to popular belief, you should not write your introduction first . Instead, start with the body paragraphs, then go back and write your introduction. This allows you to figure out what your main points are before combining them into a thesis statement.

If you write your thesis statement first, then you might have to change it later if you get a better idea when you’re writing your body paragraphs.

This technique is much easier to use if you are doing a computer-based test, but if you are doing a paper-based test, you can simply leave the top 1/3 rd of the page empty so that you can add your intro later.

Another option is to create a basic outline of your essay before you start writing. This way, you will have an idea of what your main points are before you start writing, and you can focus on using correct language, rather than worrying about your ideas.

Whatever technique you choose, remember that you have only 40 minutes (sometimes less if you spent a lot of time on Writing Task 1), so you better work quickly!

Can you show me an example?

Review the sample below. The highlights show how the thesis statement summarizes the main ideas from the two body paragraphs. Green shows the main idea of Body Paragraph 1, and yellow shows the main idea of Body Paragraph 2.

Question: Many people feel that cars contribute to global warming. Do you think this is true?

Introduction: Driving a car is a normal part of the day-to-day life of most people. However, in the last several years, many are considering alternative transportation options due to fears that driving contributes to global warming. It is true that using cars is a contributing factor due to CO 2 emissions and overreliance on vehicles.

Body Paragraph 1: CO 2 emissions have an obvious impact on climate change. It has been proven that CO 2 and other greenhouse gases have a warming effect on the earth’s atmosphere. What’s more, about 80% of all greenhouse gas emissions are from CO 2 , meaning that any reduction in CO 2 emissions would be good for the environment.

Body Paragraph 2: Most people use vehicles more often than they need them. It is okay to use vehicles for long trips or to transport large amounts of heavy equipment or goods, but it does not make sense to drive a car to the corner store when you can work there instead. To reduce CO 2 emissions, the population must use alternative means of transportation, such as bicycles and public transit.

Should my thesis statement be different for every essay type?

As discussed in our previous IELTS Writing Post , Writing Task 2 has five types of essays. Even though there are five types of essays, the method for writing a thesis statement is always the same. The thesis statement must always summarize the main points of the essay, no matter the type of essay.

Look at the chart below to notice the similarities between the thesis statements of different types of essays.

How do I practice?

One way to practice thesis statement writing is to find a list of IELTS Writing Task 2 questions, such as those on IELTS Liz . After you have a good list of questions, follow these four steps:

• Look at the first question on the list.
• Time yourself for two minutes.
• Write a thesis statement as fast as you can.
• After two minutes, move to the next question and repeat the process, even if you are not done.

If you follow these steps, eventually, you will become comfortable with writing thesis statements quickly, which is required for a real IELTS test.

For more information about language requirements for our programs, visit the language requirements page . If you have further questions, email [email protected]

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IELTS Writing 2: How to Write a Strong Thesis Statement

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About the video

IELTS Writing Task 2 is Essay Writing. Unfortunately, even candidates with a high level of English also score a low band because they don’t understand the strategy to write high-scoring essays. In this video our Expert IELTS instructor shares Effective Strategies for including a strong thesis statement in Paragraph 1 of IELTS Writing Task 2. The instructor also explains how to change the statement according to the question type you are given in the IELTS Writing test. 

What is a Thesis Statement? The thesis statement is an important part of an essay introduction, and it is essential that you know where to put it and how to write it. Thesis statement is contained in the first paragraph which is also called the introduction of your essay. In simpler words, a thesis statement is an idea that you put forward for consideration especially one to be discussed or analyzed in your essay. It is your main idea. It is the most important sentence of your essay. 

Your thesis statement tells the examiner that you have understood the question statement and it leads to a more coherent essay. How to write a thesis statement? - Identify what type of question it is. - Generate content. Give yourself 3-4 minutes to brainstorm and generate content. - Write according to the type of instruction Watch the video to understand better with the help of various examples.

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How to Write an Essay Outline [IELTS Writing]

Posted by David S. Wills | Jun 6, 2022 | IELTS Tips , Writing | 0

In IELTS writing task 2, you will need to write a clear and coherent introduction . This should be comprised of several parts, one of which is a sentence that tells the reader what your essay will say or do. This is often called an essay outline , although you may hear it referred to by other names, such as “thesis statement.”

What your essay outline should say will depend upon the exact essay that you have to write, so it is a complicated issue, but this article will tell you everything you need to know.

What is an Essay Outline?

First of all, let’s briefly discuss what an essay outline is because it’s not 100% clear to everyone. The word “outline” means:

a general description or plan showing the essential features of something but not the detail

Therefore, in the context of IELTS writing task 2, an essay outline could be defined as a sentence at the end of your introduction that tells the reader what will come next.

This sentence should simply and effectively give information about what the reader will encounter in the coming paragraphs but without any of the detail that will come later. For example:

This essay will look at both sides of the issue but argue that it is best to fix problems and reach for a better situation.

Here, my sentence has made it very clear to the reader that this essay will do three things:

• Look at one side of an issue
• Look at the other side of that issue
• Argue in favour of fixing problems

In just twenty-five words, it has offered an effective outline of my essay. It has prepared my reader for what will come next, guiding them conveniently through the essay.

Do you Need an Essay Outline?

For a task 2 essay, it is generally good to have a sentence that explains the rest of your essay. This helps with both Task Response and Coherence and Cohesion . However, its necessity actually depends on the kind of question you are answering.

For any question that requires an opinion, you must include an essay outline that gives your opinion. If you don’t, you won’t get a good score for Task Response. That is because, in order to get a band 7 or higher, your essay needs to:

present a clear position throughout the response Source: IELTS band descriptors

Thus, you must make your position (ie your opinion) clear in the introduction, the body paragraphs, and the conclusion .

If you don’t need to give an opinion, then it is less important but it is still a very good idea to include an essay outline. I would strongly suggest that you write a sentence that tells the reader what you will do next.

Here are some examples…

Essay Outline Templates

The following are examples of sentences you could use for the different IELTS writing question types. Obviously, they depend on the exact question asked and your intended answer.

Agree/Disagree Questions

• This essay will disagree with the notion that _____.
• This essay will argue that ____.

Note: People often make a huge mistake in agree/disagree questions because they paraphrase the question and then give their opinion. This means that they present the opinion as their own and then either agree or disagree with themselves! This is a very serious error. You can read more about it here .

Discussion Questions

• This essay will examine both sides of the issue and conclude that…
• This essay will look at both perspectives and argue that…
• This essay will look at both viewpoints and then argue that…

Advantages/Disadvantage Questions

If you are asked to discuss the advantages and disadvantages :

• This essay will explore the advantages and disadvantages of…
• This essay will explain the advantages and disadvantages of…

If you are asked to weigh the advantages and disadvantages:

• This essay will argue that the advantages of ___ outweigh the disadvantages.
• This essay will argue that the disadvantages of ___ outweigh the advantages.

Problem/Solution Questions

• This essay will first look at the causes of ___ and will then suggest several solutions.
• This essay will explore the causes of ____ and also will present a possible solution.

Note: As always, your essay outline will depend on what you want to say. You may have one solution or many. Make sure that your outline matches the content.

Two-Part Questions

This essay type is harder to approach in terms of essay outline because it would depend 100% on the actual questions. However, your structure for a two-part question will usually be the same and your outline should clearly reflect this.

Here is a sample two-part question:

Some parents buy their children whatever they ask for and allow their children to do whatever they want. Is this a good way to raise children? What consequences could this style of parenting have for children as they get older?

And here is how I would write my outline:

This essay will explore why this is not a good way to raise children and why it will have negative impacts upon them in future.

As you can see, it is split into two parts: the first question is addressed and then the second. It is simple and effective.

Should you Write “This essay will” or “I will”?

You may have noticed that in all my examples above, I wrote “This essay will…” That’s because it is a little more formal to drop the personal element . Even though some questions explicitly ask for your personal opinion, you can still answer them without personal pronouns. For example:

• I believe that countries should protect their seas and I will explain why in this essay.
• This essay will explain why countries should protect their seas.

Both of these sentences are fine, but using the more neutral and objective perspective is better. It avoids being personal, which is slightly informal. However, if you feel more comfortable saying “I think/believe/feel/etc.,” then go ahead and keep doing that.

Common Mistakes

There are some problems that I see when doing my IELTS writing correction service . Some are big problems and some are small.

The worst problem, which I already mentioned above, is when people agree/disagree with themselves. This is actually a problem with the first sentence rather than the outline sentence, but still it is the outline that appears wrong. For example:

City councils should band the construction of buildings that are in a different architectural style to the traditions of that area. I completely disagree with this notion.

This is a huge problem! The author has disagreed with himself because the first sentence is presented as his own perspective. It is very important that you never do this in IELTS. Instead, you should frame the viewpoint as someone else’s:

Some people argue that city councils should band the construction of buildings that are in a different architectural style to the traditions of that area. This essay will completely disagree with this notion.

I have fixed the first sentence and now changed the second to be a bit more formal.

Another problem concerns discussion questions. People often mix up words like this:

• This essay will explain both sides of view.
• This essay will look at both sides of the view.

Basically, they have misunderstood the word “view.” A view and a side are pretty much the same thing here. We can just say “both views” or “both sides of the issue/argument/debate.”

A very common problem is to say the same thing twice, like this:

• In my opinion, I think that…
• From my viewpoint, I think that…

Keep in mind that both the first and second parts of those sentences mean the same thing!

Finally, we need to remember that an essay can do some things but it cannot do others.

There are other words that can only apply to people (ie using “I”). For example:

In other words, your essay is not conscious and so it cannot do feel anything. It can only present ideas on your behalf.

Do you Always Need an Essay Outline?

Are essay outlines always necessary? The short answer is: no. However, omitting them is a quite advanced technique and so it is generally best to include one.

If you leave out an essay outline, then your introduction must be sophisticated enough to hint at later ideas and your body paragraphs must follow on very intuitively from the intro. The benefit of doing this is that you show a subtle and intelligent grasp of cohesion whilst also avoiding formulaic language.

Here is an example:

The tourism industry has grown enormously over the last fifty years, and there are few places which are unaffected by it. However, tourism rarely benefits the countries which tourists visit. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Introduction:

Tourism has been around for millennia, but in the late twentieth century it exploded in popularity. Nowadays, millions of people take off on holiday during their summer and winter vacations, often to foreign countries. It generally considered a positive phenomenon, bringing the people of the world closer together and boosting the economies of developing countries. However, there are some drawbacks.

Instead of following the usual approach of saying “This essay will…” or “I think that…” I have simply said that “It is generally considered a positive phenomenon,” and then hinted at my perspective by saying “there are some drawbacks.” This shows balance and in the body paragraphs I will present both the positives and negatives , finally coming to a conclusion, which is that I neither wholly agree nor disagree. Remember: you do not always need to give a strong opinion. Balance is fine.

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David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Tips to Write an Effective Introduction

Updated On Oct 07, 2022

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Many IELTS test candidates devote a lot of effort to practising their essay writing. The main goal of the IELTS writing module is to evaluate the test-takers’ writing abilities. Particularly taking into account the elements of vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and the capacity for writing. Success in the IELTS writing test relies heavily on essay writing.

Have you ever felt challenging to write an essay in IELTS Writing task 2?

All IELTS learners (even IELTS teachers) reckon that the most difficult part of writing is how to get started. Getting started, or writing an introductory paragraph, can be easy if you remember that an introduction has four purposes:

• Introduce the topic of the essay.
• Arouses the reader’s interest in the topic.
• Indicates the overall “plan” of the essay.
• Tells reader what the essay is about

In the IELTS writing exam, the examiners are not looking for the interesting introduction as it is not assessed in your IELTS essay. In other words, there is no difference between the fascinating introductions and boring ones in IELTS exam. In addition, time is another pressure for IELTS Writing. You have to do a lot of things in your essay for the IELTS writing within 40 minutes, for example, analysing the statement, planning your essay, and proofreading it when you have finished, so actually you just have about 35 minutes to write your essay. There is not enough time for you to worry about having “a hook” in an introduction.

Basically, the introduction has two parts:

• General statements
• A thesis statement

You should aim for around 50 words for the length of your essays.

How to structure your introduction:

• Your introduction should be 2- 3 sentences
• Sentence 1 -2 :  General statement. Introduce the topic of the essay.
• Sentence 3:  Thesis statement. Keep it clear, and get to the point. “ While I agree that governments and individuals are spending a significant amount of money on those celebrations, I would argue that this activity is necessary and therefore can be considered acceptable.”

Beer in mind that specific examples from your own experience shouldn’t be included in the introduction paragraph (instead the body paragraph).

GENERAL STATEMENT:

General statements aim to:.

• introduce the topic of the essay
• give background information on the topic

How to write a general statement?

When it comes to writing a general statement, the first sentence in an introductory paragraph should be a very general comment about the subject. Each subsequent sentence should become more specific than the previous one and finally, lead into the thesis statement.

Make sure you do it by paraphrasing the statement of the question, which means you need to write it again with the same meaning but use your own words. This act helps you to increase your score in the IELTS writing test, for instance:

Question : In recent years some countries have experienced very rapid economic development . This has resulted in much higher standards of living in urban areas but not in the countryside. This situation may bring some problems for the country as a whole. What are these problems? How might they be reduced?

General Statement : It seems to be an increasingly widespread concern for the effects of urbanisation with the imbalance in living standards between the city and the outskirt.

Obviously, you can see in this example; the writer used the different vocabularies with the same meaning to introduce also give the background information on the topic.

THESIS STATEMENT:

What is the definition of thesis statement.

A thesis statement is usually a sentence to offer a concise summary of the main point or claim of your IELTS essays and follows the general statement. It is critically important in your IELTS writing task 2 because it is your answer or your opinion/point of view about the given topic in the Writing test. It will guide IELTS examiner what your essay is about and help keep your argument focused.

So don’t get it mixed up with the general statement which tells the reader what topic of your essay is at the beginning of your introduction.

So, how to write a good thesis statement?

There are a range of essay question types in IELTS Writing Task 2, namely:

• Opinion (Agree or Disagree)
• Discussion (Discuss both view)
• Advantages and Disadvantages
• Problem and Solution
• Two-part Question

  The first thing we need to do is to identify which type of question it is and look at the action words. For example, in the question below the action words are ‘do you agree or disagree?’

Question: The government and individuals are spending too much money on national celebrations like new year or festivals. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

We, therefore, need to tell IELTS examiner clearly whether we agree or disagree, and this will influence our thesis statement. So, the thesis statement should be as follows:

People have different views about whether public expenditure on national occasions such as new year or festivals is too much nowadays. While I agree that governments and individuals are spending a significant amount of money on those celebrations, I would argue that this activity is necessary and therefore can be considered acceptable.

As can be seen, the above sentence makes it crystal clear to IELTS examiner what you think about the question. The rest of your IELTS essay will go on supporting this thesis statement.

How does the thesis statement change with different types of question?

We will now look at how thesis statements can vary with different question types. However, you should not try to learn set phrases or sentences to fit certain essays.

The golden rule is to  always read the question very carefully  and figure out what you have to do.

Your thesis statement will then follow on from this, depending on what you have decided you need to write about in order to answer the question.

Sample thesis statements for 5 essay question types in IELTS Writing Task 2:

• Opinion (Agree or Disagree) Topic: Too much emphasis is placed on going university for academic study. People should be encouraged to do vocational training, because there is a lack of qualified tradespeople such as electricians or plumbers. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Thesis statement: It goes without saying that society always needs a skilled workforce to function. Employees of different professions contribute differently to the thriving of the community, and therefore I disagree with the statement that vocational courses should be given any more weight than before.
• Discussion (Discuss both view) Topic: Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding change. Others, however, think that change is always a good thing. Discuss both views and give your opinion Thesis statement: Many people show preference for repeating their daily routine while others always look for change as they believe change would bring more benefits. In my opinion, I would agree with the latter point of view.
• Advantages and Disadvantages Topic: Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding change. Others, however, think that change is always a good thing. Discuss both views and give your opinion Thesis statement: Many people show preference for repeating their daily routine while others always look for change as they believe change would bring more benefits. In my opinion, I would agree with the latter point of view.
• Problem and Solution Topic: There is a general increase in anti-social behaviours and lack of respect for others. What are the causes and solutions? Thesis statement: The widespread problem of anti-social behaviours and disrespectful attitudes towards others has long been a major topic of concern in society. Some of the major culprits of this problem will be discussed before the most important solutions are drawn.
• Two-part Question Topic: Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of technology.  In what ways has technology affected the types of personal relationships?  Has this become a positive or negative development? Thesis statement: Rapid advances in technology have undoubtedly affected the way we interact in various ways. While some of this change can exert a negative impact on the way we communicate with each other, my view is that overall modern technology typically improves communication in personal relationships.

Below are two potential introductions with different thesis statements for IELTS essay question. Choose which one is better.

IELTS Essay Question:

Some people believe increasing business and cultural contacts between countries is a positive development while others argue that it is a threat to the identity of a nation? Discuss both views and give your opinion?

Introduction:

Intro 1: It is sometimes argued that increasing business and cultural contacts between countries are a positive development. I believe that the trend is a threat to identity a nation.

Intro 2: It is sometimes argued that increasing business and cultural contacts between countries  is a positive development. Such positive elements include increased employment prospects, increased commerce, and increased multilateral harmony. However, I believe that this trend is a threat to the identity of a nation.

IELTS examiner’s comment:

Intro 2 is the better one. A better thesis statement (and an increase in coherence) would be to state what the reasons’ are. For example, sentence two could be “Such positive elements include increased employment prospects, increased commerce, and increased multilateral harmony.” Remember that a clear position throughout is a key feature of TR and a strong thesis statement is a great start to alert the examiner that you making your position very clear in the beginning. (notice that the above use of increased’ three times in this context is an effective writing technique)

I hope the tips mentioned above could help you to hike up your IELTS score in the IELTS writing test! Stay tune for the latest update on IELTS Material website.

Don’t forget to keep practicing to write an introduction to get yourself familiarized with the IELTS test and get the high score in IELTS.

You can also write your own introduction in the comment boxes below to receive feedback from us!

Also check :

• Tips to Improve IELTS Writing Skills
• IELTS Writing recent actual test
• IELTS Band 9 essays
• Advantage and Disadvantage Essays
• IELTS Writing Answer sheet
• IELTS map vocabulary
• IELTS Writing Task 1 Connectors

Practice IELTS Writing Task 2 based on Essay types

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Janice Thompson

Soon after graduating with a Master’s in Literature from Southern Arkansas University, she joined an institute as an English language trainer. She has had innumerous student interactions and has produced a couple of research papers on English language teaching. She soon found that non-native speakers struggled to meet the English language requirements set by foreign universities. It was when she decided to jump ship into IELTS training. From then on, she has been mentoring IELTS aspirants. She joined IELTSMaterial about a year ago, and her contributions have been exceptional. Her essay ideas and vocabulary have taken many students to a band 9.

Eplore other Writing Task 2 Articles

Akanksha Tripathi

Raajdeep Saha

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Posted on Jan 7, 2017

It seems that countries in the globe are enhancing their business and cultural interaction with each other. Although some people consider it a sinister to a nation identity, I think that it is a positive development. It will bring increased employment prospects, increased commerce, and increased bilateral harmony. In addition, this essay will also discuss how the identity of a nation can be kept safe with these activities by adopting some procedures.

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IELTS Writing Task 1 & Task 2 Tips| Everything You Need to Know!

IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is conducted to measure a candidate’s English proficiency. The significance of organizing your answers for IELTS Writing Task 1 and Writing Task 2 is very important.

In this article, we will be discussing IELTS Writing Tips for Task 1 and Task 2. Candidates must understand the entire exam structure and the types of questions asked on the test before beginning their exam preparation.

IELTS Writing Task 1 & Task 2 Tips

IELTS Writing Task 1 & Task 2

IELTS Writing Task 1 and 2 are as following:

5 Tips to Organise IELTS Writing Task 1 & Task 2

10 ielts writing tips for task 1 and task 2.

To score a better band on IELTS, candidates must score well on all four sections of the test. A lot of candidates consider IELTS Writing tasks quite challenging because you only get 60 minutes to complete both tasks, with specific word limits, Task 2 essay topics cover a wide range of complex issues, including social, cultural, economic, and environmental issues, and others. However, IELTS aspirants need not worry about these challenges, as are going to discuss some tips to score well in this section.

• Read the instructions carefully for each task and make sure you understand what is expected of you.
• Familiarize yourself with the test format and practice writing essays and task responses regularly.
• Allocate time for planning, writing, and reviewing your response within the 60-minute timeframe.
• Study sample essays from official sources or past test papers to understand the structure, language, and organization of high-scoring responses.
• Organize your essays with clear introductory, body, and concluding paragraphs. In Task 1, present an overview of the main trends or features before providing specific details. In Task 2, follow a traditional essay structure with a clear thesis statement, supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion.
• Use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures to showcase your language proficiency.
• To support your arguments, use relevant examples, data or personal experiences to illustrate your points effectively.
• Ensure your writing flows logically from one paragraph to the next, with clear transitions and connections between ideas.
• Proofread your essays carefully to eliminate spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors.
• Simulate test conditions as closely as possible when practising, including timing yourself and writing your responses by hand. This will help you build confidence and familiarity with the test format.

These IELTS Writing tips will surely help you score well in both tasks. Candidates must do deliberate practice if they want to get admission to their dream university.

Learn About the IELTS Writing Section in Detail

The writing section of the IELTS exam poses the greatest challenge among all its components, comprising two tasks: IELTS Writing Task 1 and IELTS Writing Task 2. Before delving into specifics, it’s important to note that the essays required in both the academic and general training tests are largely similar, with any disparities being minimal, perhaps in complexity. However, the primary distinction lies in IELTS Writing Task 1. In the academic version, Task 1 and Task 2 cover topics suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Here are some helpful tips and strategies to enhance your performance in this section.

Additional Tips:

• Total Duration: 60 minutes
• Spend around 40 minutes on Task 2 and 20 minutes on Task 1.
• Write more than the prescribed word limit without exceeding the time.
• Make notes on the question paper; no extra paper will be provided.
• Write a clear overview for Task 1 and a conclusion for Task 2.
• Divide tasks into paragraphs and check spelling and grammar while writing.
• Maintain consistency in using either British or American English.
• Focus on relevance, coherence, structure, grammar, and vocabulary.
• Remember there are no right or wrong answers; you’ll be assessed on expression and coherence.

Things to Keep in Mind- IELTS Writing Task 1 & Task 2

• Understanding the question and identifying its type is crucial as it determines whether you need to provide an opinion or a solution, criticize or support an argument. This initial step significantly contributes to tackling the task effectively.
• Before embarking on essay writing, it’s essential to grasp the basic structure and format of essays, which can be achieved through reading books dedicated to essay writing.
• Task 1 should not consume excessive time. Instead, focus on learning specific writing structures tailored to each Task 1 type. Familiarize yourself with sample answers showcasing good structure to expand your repertoire of academic structures applicable to both Task 1 and Task 2.
• While a rich vocabulary is advantageous, ensure that the words you use are contextually appropriate. Avoid forcing high-level vocabulary where it doesn’t naturally fit.
• Maintain a formal writing style, adhering to prescribed rules. Each body paragraph should encompass a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and development sentences incorporating examples, experiences, or data where relevant.
• Supplementing opinions with relevant examples enhances your essay’s depth and structure, demonstrating comprehension and a structured approach to addressing the prompt.
• Regular practice with sample questions, attempting both tasks within the allotted time frame, is crucial for acclimating to the test’s time constraints and refining your writing skills.

IELTS Writing Tips for Task 1 and Task 2- FAQs

How to improve task 2 writing in ielts.

Step 1: Answer all parts of the question. Step 2: Present a clear position. Step 3: Structure your essay. Step 4: Use linking devices. Step 5: Use a range of vocabulary. Step 6: Use a range of grammatical structures correctly. Step 7: Check your essay thoroughly.

What are the tips for IELTS writing task 1?

Step 1: Understand the task requirements before you start. Step 2: Analyse the visual information carefully. Step 3: Create a clear and organised plan for your response. Step 4: Begin your essay with a concise and engaging introduction.

How can I correct my IELTS writing task 1?

Understand how the test is marked. Knowing the marking criteria will allow you to give the examiner exactly what they need. Paraphrase the question. It is best to paraphrase the question in the first paragraph. Write the overview. Support the main features. Check your work.

How to get 8 in IELTS writing?

Use a range of linking words and phrases, but don’t overuse them. Use adverbial phrases, rather than single basic linkers. Use referencing and substitution to avoid repetition (this/them/the issue/the problem) Use punctuation to make your writing coherent.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Most popular 50+ Essay Topics of 2024

• Updated On May 28, 2024
• Published In IELTS Preparation 💻

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) writing section is a 1-hour test that comprises two questions: task 1 and task 2, which assess your vocabulary, grammar, word count, collocations, and ability to construct complex sentences with moderation and without repetition. 

Table of Contents

To begin, it is pivotal to understand that the IELTS essay topics vary for IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training Tasks. In Task 1 of IELTS Academic, you must write a report on a graph, diagram or chart, whereas, for IELTS General Training Task 1, you must write a letter. Task 2 of the General and Academic modules is essay writing; while the topics for essays in both modules may differ, the essay writing strategy remains the same. 

Examiners use the following criteria to calculate Academic IELTS Writing Task 1 and Task 2 scores: Task Achievement, Task Response, Coherence, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Lexical Resource.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 for Academic

The IELTS Academic Writing section consists of two tasks that must be completed in one hour: 

Writing Task 1

In Task 1, you are assigned a graph, visual information, table or chart, which you are required to describe in your own words. You must write a report in 150 words, accurately describing what the information in the graph or picture represents. The IELTS writing task 1 marking criteria accounts for 33% of the total IELTS writing evaluation score, and you should try to finish this part in 20 minutes or less because IELTS writing task 2 is more difficult and will take at least 40 minutes to complete.

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Writing Task 2

 IELTS writing task 2 marking criteria has a 66% weightage, where you must complete a 250-word essay in 40 minutes. Candidates must respond to a problem, a point of view, or an argument in this task, with a curated response. The essay’s content should be written with perfect grammar and focused solely on the topic. As task 2 holds more weight, candidates should devote significant time to it and ensure a properly curated essay for a good band score. 

Let us now review some fundamentals of IELTS essay structure that you can apply to this task. A typical writing piece includes an introduction, the main body consisting of a few paragraphs, and a conclusion. In the introduction, you should write the context of your issue and a thesis statement representing the main idea of your text.

The central section of your essay will discuss various facts and arguments that support or oppose the thesis statement. Finally, restate the thesis statement, bolstering it with new details from the main body. 

Here’s a list of the latest IELTS essay topics and sample questions to help you efficiently prepare for task 2 of the IELTS Writing section.

Latest IELTS Essay Topics for 202 4

IELTS essay writing topics are usually based on current events and world affairs. You will find a series of essay writing topics for IELTS in the following listicles. Also, one of the most effective ways to prepare for answering essays in the Writing section of IELTS is to work on the sample essay questions. The topic categories and essay writing samples to help students looking for the latest IELTS essay topics are stated below:

Environment

• Environmental Crisis: One of the most common topics in IELTS is the environment essay IELTS band 9. Many students, however, do not see the need to prepare for this because it is one of the most specific topics resulting in a loss of marks. 

Click here for the Environmental Crisis essay sample and answers for practice.

• Global Warming: It is common for IELTS speaking and writing sections to include questions about broad discussion topics, such as climate change, the greenhouse effect, global warming, and deforestation.

Click here for the Global Warming essay format, sample and answers for practice.

• Sustainable Energy: If you are unfamiliar with the framework and concepts of an essay, it can be a daunting task. All of the sentences must be related and formed in such a way that they provide a clear view and information. You may be penalised if you veer off-topic while writing your essay. Sustainable energy and nuclear power topics are debated topics; hence practising them will give you an edge over your peers. 

Click here for the Sustainable Energy essay structure, sample and answers for practice.

• Fossil Fuels: The IELTS essay topics for writing task 2 are usually based on common themes frequently discussed in the average aspirant’s daily life. One such theme is the use of renewable energy sources in place of nonrenewable resources such as fossil fuels.

Click here for the Fossil Fuels essay sample and answers for practice.

Personality

• Importance of First Impression:  IELTS examiners have a short attention span and read hundreds of essays daily. Hence, it is pivotal for you to get the start right and make a good first impression in your First Impression is Important IELTS essay.

Click here for the Personality essay sample and answers for practice.

• Hobbies: ‘Hobbies’ is a common theme in both the IELTS Writing Task 2 and the Speaking section. This is a simple, mark-fetching topic with few challenges for students taking the exam.

Click here for the Hobbies essay sample and answers for practice.

• Fashion: Fashion is a recurring topic with global themes and one of the best topics to practise your public speaking skills.

Click here for the Fashion essay sample and answers for practice.

• Importance of Leisure Activities and School Values: The IELTS Essay on Education is one of the most challenging tasks, with unpredictable questions in the exam. These education essay topics, like the Importance of leisure activities, are opinion-driven and assess students’ ability to express their knowledge and skills thoughtfully.

Click here for the Education essay sample and answers for practice.

• Government and Society: As an IELTS exam candidate, you should review as many common topics for Writing Task 2 as possible. One such common IELTS test theme is government and society, with which you should be well-acquainted. 

Click here for the Government and Society essay sample and answers for practice.

• Ideal Society: Candidates should practise sample questions and answers for the Ideal Society IELTS essay to gain a firm grasp on writing and vocabulary and improve their overall band score.

Click here for the Ideal So c iety essay sample and answers for practice.

• Social Media: Social media essays are a popular topic in IELTS writing task 2. For a social media IELTS essay band 9 and similar topics, the most straightforward approach is maintaining the proper word count and being aware of various approaches to the topic.

Click here for the Social Media essay sample and answers for practice.

Business & Global Consumerism

• International Trade: Over the years, one of the topics covered in the IELTS exam has been global business. Your answer for such topics should contain everything; your responses, solutions, arguments, reasons, opinions, and evidence are critical to answering the question.

Click here for the International Trade essay sample and answers for practice.

• Management and Leadership: In any organisation, leadership and management are critical roles. Your essay for such topics should always be pertinent to the question.

Click here for the Management and Leadership essay sample and answers for practice.

• Foreign Languages: Foreign languages and language barriers are recurring themes in the IELTS writing task 2. Express your own opinions on such topics. 

Click here for the Culture essay sample and answers for practice.

• Sports and children: Sport is a recurring theme, and the essay content should not deviate from the main points at any point in the essay.

Click here for the Sports essay sample and answers for practice.

• Covid impact: The topics of IELTS Writing task 2 are usually drawn from current events worldwide, making Covid-19 an anticipated topic. 

Click here for the Covid 19 essay sample and answers for practice.

• Obesity: Overweight essays are among the most common topics in IELTS writing task 2. Obesity, recent trends in health among children and adults, and other similar topics may also be discussed in relation to overweight.

Click here for the Health essay sample and answers for practice.

Types of IELTS Essays

IELTS essay writing topics are usually classified under various sections. You can expect essays in the IELTS exam from any of the following types:

1. Opinion Essays 

In this essay category, you must discuss your opinion on the given topic. Naturally, the best way to score high in such essays is to have prior knowledge of common topics that are popular in the IELTS exam. 

Sample Questions:

• Most teenagers today own a smartphone. Provide your opinion to discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
• Crime novels and TV series have become quite popular in recent years. What is your opinion about these crime dramas?
• Developing nations often require international assistance. Many believe that this assistance should be monetary, while some think practical help and advice would be more beneficial. Discuss both these views along with your opinion.
• Many consider automobiles to be the biggest source of pollution in urban areas, while some believe industries are responsible for it. Explain both views and provide your opinion.
• Many people believe individuals involved with creative arts should be financially supported by the government. Some others believe they should find separate resources. Discuss each of the views and give your opinion.
• Some believe success in life comes from hard work, dedication, and motivation. While many believe success depends on other important factors like money and appearance. Discuss both views and provide your opinion. 
• Many think that governments should fund programs in search of life on other planets. However, others believe governments should focus on unresolved issues on the planet. Provide your opinion and discuss both views.

You can also check out this detailed guide on Opinion Essays to learn the appropriate structure for maximum scores!

2. Discussion Essays

In the case of discussion essays, the candidates need to put forward an explanation for or against any given topic. Such essays are the most common to appear in the IELTS exam. 

Sample Questions: 

• Many believe living in big cities comes with more advantages than residing in the countryside. Do you agree or disagree with this?
• The shopping habits of people depend more on their age group than on any other factors. Do you agree or disagree with this? 
• More and more children and minors are becoming overweight in developed nations. This is a major problem for most wealthy countries. Explain the causes and impacts of this issue.
• The internet is a great invention that brings a host of advantages for the world population. However, there are several issues in terms of security and control of personal data. Do you agree or disagree with this?
• Advertising prevents originality in people and makes them look the same and do the same. Do you agree or disagree with this?
• Parents today often tend to organise extra classes on weekends or even after school. Do you believe this is at all useful? Or do you think the education provided in school is sufficient?
• Some people believe that capital punishment should be done away with. Do you agree or disagree with this?

We have covered valuable tips & tricks to attempt Discussion Essays that can come in handy in your exam.

3. Solution Essays

For solution essays, you will have to provide a solution to a particular issue. At times, questions might be provided as to why a specific issue has occurred, and candidates have to provide their opinion on the answer.

• The massive movement of people from agricultural areas to cities in search of employment can lead to serious problems in both places. What are the problems, and how can these be solved? 

Check out our sample question and answer on Solution Essays for a more thorough explanation.

Advantage or Disadvantage Essays

In this type of essay, students have to write about a particular topic’s positive and negative sides. Such essays test your argument construction skills and how well you can use English to communicate your views as clearly and coherently as possible. 

• International tourism has greatly benefited many places. However, there have been major concerns about its impact on the local environment and inhabitants. Do the negative impacts of international tourism outweigh the benefits?
• Some countries have recently passed laws to restrict the daily working hours of employees. Explain whether this will have a positive or negative impact.
• More and more people today are visiting extreme places such as Antarctica or the Sahara desert. What are the advantages or disadvantages of such travels?
• Social media is gradually replacing in-person face-to-face contact with many people worldwide. Do the benefits of social media outweigh the disadvantages? 

Use the sample questions from the Advantage/Disadvantage Essay type to practise your writing skills.

Direct Question Essays

For this type of essay, the topics will be provided as direct questions, which students have to answer based on their experiences and thoughts.

• Shopping used to be a routine domestic task in the past. However, today, it has become more of a hobby. Is this a positive trend?
• You can get more information on these rare essay-type questions on our  Direct question essay structure blog.

Preparation Tips for IELTS Writing Task 2

Many students believe they don’t need to prepare much because they speak English reasonably well. Well, the IELTS exam is not that easy. In fact, even native English speakers may find the test difficult. As a result, candidates should prepare for this section rigorously and methodically and start early preparation.

• Begin your IELTS preparations at least 6 months before your intended test date , and ensure to devote some time daily to all 4 sections.
• Choose writing topics for both tasks, especially writing task 2, and try to write about them daily. Time yourself; remember that you must complete both tasks in one hour.
•  Spend significant time learning new vocabulary and brushing up on your grammatical skills. Following that is structured thinking, allowing you to convey your ideas logically. While writing, pay close attention to lucidity, logic, and clarity.
• You should expand your ideas because the IELTS writing task 2 could cover any topic. Go through all the resources like magazines, books, and online materials to expand your knowledge and vocabulary. Additionally, practice as many mock tests as possible. 

As mentioned above it’s only practice that can get you the desire scores. But along with it you also need the best preparation materials and guidance. And the best solution we suggest is to register for the LeapScholar IELTS courses .

Along with live classes from the best IELTS tutors, you’ll also have access to mock tests, speaking and writing evaluations and comprehensive study materials. As a reward you’ll also receive a course completion certificate.

How to Answer Task 2 Essays in IELTS Writing Section?

Students can employ the following steps to successfully enhance their ability to answer essays in the Writing section:

Step 1: Read and Understand the Question

The first step to nailing task 2 essays is to read and understand the question carefully. Most of the time, candidates answer the question without understanding what it demands. Candidates should carefully analyse the question, identify the question type and try to identify the keywords. Finally, they should clearly understand the instructions and then attempt to answer.

Step 2: Plan the Answer

Once students have understood the question, they need to plan the structure of the answer. This will allow candidates to organise their ideas and produce a clear and coherent response. 

Step 3: Write a Solid Introduction

The introduction of the essay should give an idea of what the essay is all about. Make sure to write an appropriate introduction conveying the gist of the essay.

Step 4: Carefully Curate the Main Body

The main body is the essential part of the essay, where you must provide the necessary details. State your points accordingly and substantiate them with explanations, examples, and other relevant data. Once done, you need to give a proper conclusion.

Tips for IELTS Writing Task 2

You can use the following tips to ace their IELTS Writing test:

Although IELTS is a difficult test to master, one can achieve a good score with systematic and consistent preparation. If you require assistance in acing your IELTS Writing Task 1 and 2, our Leap Scholar experts will provide the necessary guidance, tips, and tricks to help you pass your IELTS test with flying colours. If you are planning to prepare for the essay task in the Writing section, you can go through this comprehensive guide to get an idea about the latest IELTS essay topics. You can prepare for the essay task accordingly with the help of sample essay topics and questions provided in the above sections. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. how can you score well in ielts writing task 2.

Ans. IELTS Writing Task 2 mainly has four performance descriptors: Task Response, Cohesion & Coherence , Lexical Resource, and finally Grammatical range and accuracy. The scoring happens on four parameters, so follow these and prepare with the correct books and practice questions.

Q. What are the most popular questions asked in IELTS Writing Task 2?

Ans. The different types of questions in IELTS Writing Task 2 include: Problem/ Causes questions, Opinion questions, Advantage/ Disadvantage questions, Discussion of views, etc.

Q. What are the main themes on which IELTS Writing Task 2 questions are based on?

Ans. Some of the broad themes include Environment, Food, Health, Art, Business, Communication, Crime & Punishment and more. Ideas and topics are taken under these broad themes for question framing.

Q. Is it necessary to use complex words in IELTS Writing section?

Ans. Having a good vocabulary is an added advantage. However, difficult words should not be forcefully put in sentences. Your sentences should be organic and should fit the meaning and the context of your essays.

 Q. How to develop ideas for IELTS Writing Task 2 2024?

 Ans. The easiest ways to generate ideas for IELTS Writing Task 2 are by analysing model essays, finding ideas on google, talking to experts, watching movies, asking yourself some questions about the topic, generating main ideas from specific examples.

Q. How many mistakes are acceptable in IELTS Writing Task 2?

Ans. Making one or two mistakes is overlooked by the examiner if the overall essay is good. However, making more mistakes than that can lead to lower IELTS band score.

Q. What are the basic topics in IELTS writing task 2?

Ans. Some of the common IELTS topics for Writing Task 2 are  Art, Environment, Education, Health, Jobs and Employment, Sport, Science and Technology Friends and Family, Government and Society etc.

Q. How can I prepare for IELTS essay writing?

Ans. To prepare for IELTS essay writing, practice writing essays on a variety of topics to improve your writing skills. Focus on structuring your essays with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Familiarise yourself with different types of essay questions (e.g., opinion, discussion, problem-solution) and practice organising your thoughts coherently. Additionally, seek feedback from teachers or peers to identify and work on your weaknesses.

Q. Where can I find sample IELTS essay topics for practice?

Ans. You can find sample IELTS essay topics on official IELTS websites such as the British Council and IDP. Many educational websites and IELTS preparation books also offer a wide range of practice topics. Online forums and study groups often share essay questions from recent exams, providing a good source of up-to-date practice material.

Q. What are the typical requirements for IELTS essay word count and structure?

Ans. The IELTS essay (Task 2) requires a minimum of 250 words. It is typically structured with an introduction that presents the main idea, body paragraphs that develop this idea with supporting arguments or examples, and a conclusion that summarises the key points. It’s important to write clearly and coherently, ensuring each paragraph flows logically into the next.

Q. What are some common IELTS essay topics?

Ans. Common IELTS essay topics include education, technology, environment, health, and society. For example, you might encounter questions about the benefits and drawbacks of online education, the impact of technology on communication, environmental conservation efforts, public health issues, or social issues like the aging population. Practicing essays on these topics will help you become familiar with the kinds of questions you may face in the exam.

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Manisha Angre

Experienced IELTS prep trainer and education management industry veteran. Specializes in public speaking, international education, market research, mentoring, and management.

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