IELTS WRITING
TASK 2:
AN ESSAY
An Introduction
W040
WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

What do you read?

What do you write?

How many words do you write?

How much time do you have?

What’s the value of task 1?
WRITING TASK 2

A prompt & a question.

You must write an essay about a
common topic using your ideas &
opinions.

At least 250 words.

About 40 minutes.

It’s 67% of the writing grade.
PROMPT & QUESTION
There are several possible
locations for a café on campus, but
many people think the college
library is the perfect place for
Costa Coffee. Do you agree with
this viewpoint? Explain and give
reasons.
PROMPT & QUESTION
There are several possible
locations for a café on campus, but
many people think the college
library is the perfect place for
Costa Coffee. Do you agree with
this viewpoint? Explain and give
reasons.
TASK INFORMATION

There are several types of task 2.

Look at the following tasks.

what kind of essay are they?

describe what you need to do.
?
Without doubt, English is one of the
most important languages in the
world today, and writing is the most
important skill. To what extent do you
agree or disagree with this statement?
AGREE / DISAGREE
Without doubt, English is one of the
most important languages in the
world today, and writing is the most
important skill. To what extent do you
agree or disagree with this statement?
?
Some people like big weddings, while
others prefer smaller ones. Compare
and contrast big and small weddings.
Which do you prefer, and why?
COMPARE & CONTRAST
Some people like big weddings, while
others prefer smaller ones. Compare
and contrast big and small weddings.
Which do you prefer, and why?
?
Nowadays, many people prefer to live
in an urban area rather than a rural
one. Describe the advantages and
disadvantages of living in cities.
ADVANTAGES &
DISADVANTAGES
Nowadays, many people prefer to live
in an urban area rather than a rural
one. Describe the advantages and
disadvantages of living in cities.
?
Nowadays, many people prefer to live
in an urban area rather than a rural
one. Discuss both and give your
opinion about which is better.
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES
WITH BALANCED ARGUMENT
Nowadays, many people prefer to live
in an urban area rather than a rural
one. Discuss both and give your
opinion about which is better.
?
Divorce is a serious social problem in
many countries these days. Discuss
the possible causes and effects of this
issue, and offer some solutions.
CAUSES, EFFECTS &
SOLUTIONS
Divorce is a serious social problem in
many countries these days. Discuss
the possible causes and effects of this
issue, and offer some solutions.
DISCUSS
1. What are the 4 possible
question types in task 2?
2. Task 2 takes more time and is
worth more than task 1. Why?
3. Is writing a report and an essay
similar or different? Explain.