WizMantra UAE · Practice tests · No sign up
IELTS Writing Task 2: Practice and Marking Guide
IELTS Writing Task 2 practice with the four marking criteria explained, a reusable essay structure, and eight questions on what actually raises a band.
Eight questions on the decisions that actually move a Task 2 band, followed by the four marking criteria explained in plain language and a paragraph structure you can reuse.
How Task 2 is marked
Four criteria, equally weighted, averaged for your Task 2 band. Task 2 counts for two thirds of your overall writing score, so it is worth more attention than Task 1.
A structure that works
- Introduction, 2 sentences. Paraphrase the prompt, then state your position clearly.
- Body 1. One idea, explained, then one specific example. The example is what most candidates skip.
- Body 2. The second idea, same shape. If the prompt has two parts, this is where the second part goes.
- Conclusion, 2 sentences. Restate the position and the main reason. Nothing new.
Reading a marking scheme is not the same as being marked against one, and no page can do the second for you. What it can do is point you at the right neighbour. If your emails at work also get misread, it is usually this same problem wearing different clothes, and the workplace writing set exposes it in four questions. The speaking half of your band has its own question bank, Part 3 included, which is where band 7 is decided.
All questions, answers and explanations
8 questions · every answer explained
The full set is below, so you can read it without taking the quiz.
How many words minimum for IELTS Writing Task 2?
- A150
- B200
- C250 correct
- D300
Why: Task 2 requires at least 250 words. Under length is penalised directly, and examiners do count.
'Some people think X. Others think Y. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.' What must the essay contain?
- AOnly your opinion
- BBoth views and your opinion correct
- CBoth views, no opinion
- DWhichever view is stronger
Why: The instruction has two parts. Omitting either the discussion of both views or your own opinion caps Task Response, usually at band 5.
Which thesis is strongest?
- AThis essay will discuss both sides of this important issue.
- BI think there are advantages and disadvantages.
- CWhile remote work reduces commuting costs, I would argue its effect on junior employees makes the trade off a poor one. correct
- DThere are many opinions about this topic in today's modern world.
Why: A thesis states a position. The others announce that an essay exists, which adds words without adding Task Response.
What is the most common cause of a low Coherence score?
- AShort sentences
- BParagraphs with no single controlling idea correct
- CUsing 'firstly' and 'secondly'
- DWriting over 300 words
Why: Coherence is about whether each paragraph does one job. A paragraph containing three unrelated ideas reads as unstructured however many linkers it has.
Which shows better lexical resource?
- AVery big problem
- BA significant problem correct
- CA very very serious big problem
- DBig issue
Why: Precision beats intensity. 'Significant' is one accurate word. Stacking intensifiers signals a limited range, not a wide one.
You have 40 minutes for Task 2. How much should you spend planning?
- ANone, start writing
- BAbout 5 minutes correct
- CAbout 20 minutes
- DPlan after writing
Why: Roughly five minutes planning, thirty writing, five checking. Essays written with no plan usually lose marks on structure, which costs more than the five minutes saved.
Which is a Task Response error rather than a grammar error?
- ASubject verb disagreement
- BAnswering only half the question correct
- CA missing article
- DA comma splice
Why: Task Response measures whether you answered the question asked. Missing half of a two part prompt is the single most expensive error in Task 2.
How should you handle the conclusion?
- AIntroduce a new argument
- BRestate your position and the main reason, briefly correct
- CLeave it out to save time
- DRepeat the introduction word for word
Why: A conclusion restates the position and its main support in one or two sentences. New arguments there confuse the reader, and no conclusion at all reads as unfinished.
Frequently asked questions
How many words should IELTS Writing Task 2 be?
At least 250. Aim for 260 to 290. Writing under 250 is penalised, and writing over 350 usually costs accuracy without gaining marks, because you have less time to check.
How long should I spend on Task 2?
About 40 of your 60 minutes, split as five minutes planning, thirty writing and five checking. Task 2 carries twice the weight of Task 1, so it gets the larger share.
What is the most common Task 2 mistake?
Answering only part of the question. A prompt that says 'discuss both views and give your opinion' has two requirements, and missing either one caps Task Response regardless of how good the English is.
Do I need complex vocabulary for a band 7?
No, you need precise vocabulary. A correctly used common word scores better than a misused rare one. Examiners penalise wrong usage more heavily than plain usage.
Can I use the same essay structure every time?
The four paragraph shape works for most prompt types, but the content of body paragraphs must match what the prompt asks. A memorised essay that ignores the specific question scores badly on Task Response.
Practice costs nothing. Feedback does.
A quiz tells you what you got wrong. It cannot tell you why you keep getting it wrong, or fix it. That is what a teacher is for. The demo is AED 30 and includes a level assessment.
WizMantra WorldWide
Website Review
Google Reviews
Number of Students
Trained, Number of Trainers