Task 1 vs Task 2: At a Glance
Describe a Visual
- Bar chart, line graph, pie chart, table, map, diagram, or process
- Summarise the main features and make comparisons
- Do not give your personal opinion
- No personal pronouns: write in a formal, objective style
Write a Letter
- Formal letter (to a company, authority, or stranger)
- Semi-formal (to a manager or acquaintance)
- Informal (to a friend or family member)
- Match the register to the audience throughout
Write a Discursive Essay
- Respond to a point of view, argument, or problem
- Essay types: Opinion, Discussion, Problem-Solution, Advantages-Disadvantages, Two-Part Question
- State a clear position and support it with developed, relevant arguments
- Use a wide range of vocabulary and sentence structures
Task 2 Essay Structures
Every Task 2 question fits one of five essay types. Identifying the type correctly is the first step — then apply the matching structure. All structures follow a 4-paragraph format: introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Opinion Essay (Agree / Disagree)
"To what extent do you agree or disagree?"
- Introduction: Paraphrase question + state your position clearly
- Body 1: First reason supporting your view + example
- Body 2: Second reason (or concede + counter-argue)
- Conclusion: Restate position + brief summary
Discussion Essay (Both Views)
"Discuss both views and give your opinion."
- Introduction: Paraphrase + acknowledge both sides + brief stance
- Body 1: First perspective + reasons + example
- Body 2: Second perspective + reasons + your preference
- Conclusion: Balanced summary + your overall opinion
Problem-Solution Essay
"What are the causes of this problem? What solutions can be suggested?"
- Introduction: Paraphrase + state essay will examine causes and solutions
- Body 1: Main causes + elaboration
- Body 2: Corresponding solutions + feasibility
- Conclusion: Summary of causes and solutions
Advantages-Disadvantages Essay
"Discuss the advantages and disadvantages."
- Introduction: Paraphrase + overview of essay coverage
- Body 1: Main advantages + development
- Body 2: Main disadvantages + your balanced conclusion
- Conclusion: Weigh overall balance
The introduction should never copy the question word-for-word. Paraphrase it using synonyms. Examiners penalise copied language and do not count it in your word total. Your position in the introduction should match your conclusion — inconsistency lowers Task Response marks.
Writing Band Descriptors: Band 5 to Band 8
IELTS Writing is marked on four equal criteria. Understanding what separates each band helps you focus your improvement. The table below shows what distinguishes Band 6 from Band 7 — the most common target range.
| Band | Task Response | Lexical Resource | Grammatical Range & Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Covers all parts; well-developed arguments; clearly relevant | Wide range; precise use; rare errors | Wide variety of structures; mostly error-free |
| 7 | Addresses all parts; clear position; some underdevelopment | Less common vocabulary; occasional inaccuracies | Variety of complex structures; some errors but do not impede communication |
| 6 | Addresses task; position may be unclear in places; some irrelevance | Adequate range; some errors in word choice and formation | Mix of simple and complex structures; errors present but meaning clear |
| 5 | Partial response; format may be inappropriate; ideas underdeveloped | Limited range; repetition; errors may cause difficulty | Limited range; many grammatical errors; may cause difficulty for reader |
Many candidates write long introductions (80+ words) and very short body paragraphs. Examiners reward development — each body paragraph should contain a main idea, a clear explanation, and a specific example or elaboration. A short body paragraph signals weak development and lowers your Task Response band.
Task 1: Graph and Chart Language
Academic Task 1 requires precise language for describing trends, proportions, and comparisons. A strong Task 1 response identifies the overall trend first (the ‘overview’) before describing specific data points. The overview is the most important sentence in your response for Task Achievement marks.
Trend verbs: rose, fell, declined, increased, surged, dropped, fluctuated, levelled off, remained stable, peaked at, reached a low of
Adverbs for degree: sharply, dramatically, significantly, gradually, slightly, steadily, marginally
Proportion language: accounted for, represented, constituted, made up, the largest share was, a fifth of, approximately half
Comparison language: compared to, in contrast to, whereas, while, by comparison, the figure for X was higher/lower than
Time references: between [year] and [year], over the period, by [year], from [start] to [end], during [period]
Every Task 1 Academic response must include an overview — a sentence or two summarising the main trend or key feature without giving specific data. Place it at the end of your introduction or as a separate paragraph. Without an overview, you cannot achieve Band 6 or above for Task Achievement.
Practice Exercises for IELTS Writing
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Browse All Exercises →Frequently Asked Questions
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How long is the IELTS Writing test?
The IELTS Writing test is 60 minutes long. You must complete two tasks: Task 1 (recommended 20 minutes, minimum 150 words) and Task 2 (recommended 40 minutes, minimum 250 words). Task 2 carries twice the marks of Task 1, so time allocation reflects this weighting. Writing less than the minimum word count results in a band penalty. -
What is IELTS Writing Task 1?
In IELTS Academic, Task 1 requires you to describe a visual — a bar chart, line graph, pie chart, table, map, diagram, or process. You must write at least 150 words summarising the main features and making comparisons where relevant. You do not give your opinion. In IELTS General Training, Task 1 is a letter-writing task (formal, semi-formal, or informal) responding to a given situation. -
What is IELTS Writing Task 2?
Task 2 is an essay of at least 250 words responding to a point of view, argument, or problem. Essay types include: Opinion (agree/disagree), Discussion (both sides), Problem-Solution, Advantages-Disadvantages, and Two-Part Question. It is marked on Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. It carries double the marks of Task 1. -
What are the four IELTS Writing band descriptors?
Both tasks are marked on four equally-weighted criteria: (1) Task Response / Task Achievement — how well you address the question; (2) Coherence and Cohesion — logical organisation and use of linking devices; (3) Lexical Resource — range and accuracy of vocabulary; (4) Grammatical Range and Accuracy — variety and correctness of sentence structures. Your band for each criterion is averaged to give your Writing band score. -
How do I structure an IELTS Task 2 essay?
A standard Task 2 structure is: Introduction (paraphrase the question + state your position, 2–3 sentences), Body Paragraph 1 (main idea + explanation + example, 6–8 sentences), Body Paragraph 2 (second main idea + explanation + example, 6–8 sentences), and Conclusion (restate position + summary, 2–3 sentences). This 4-paragraph structure typically produces 260–290 words. -
What is the difference between Academic and General Training Writing?
In Academic IELTS, Task 1 requires describing a graph, chart, map, or diagram in an objective, formal style. In General Training, Task 1 is a letter. Task 2 is identical in both versions: a discursive essay on a general-interest topic with the same marking criteria and word count requirements. -
How many words should I write for IELTS Writing?
Task 1: minimum 150 words, recommended 160–180 words. Task 2: minimum 250 words, recommended 260–290 words. Writing under the minimum word count incurs an automatic penalty. Writing significantly over is not penalised but risks introducing more errors and reducing time for Task 2. Quality matters more than quantity above the minimum. -
What linking words should I use in IELTS Writing?
Use a variety of linking devices: for addition (furthermore, in addition, moreover), for contrast (however, nevertheless, on the other hand), for cause/effect (therefore, consequently, as a result), for examples (for instance, for example, to illustrate). Avoid overusing mechanical lists — vary your cohesive devices to demonstrate range for Coherence and Cohesion marks. -
How is IELTS Writing band 7 different from band 6?
Band 6 essays address the task with some relevant points but may be underdeveloped. Band 7 essays cover all parts clearly with well-developed arguments. Lexically, Band 6 uses adequate vocabulary with some errors; Band 7 uses less common vocabulary with fewer errors. Grammatically, Band 7 uses a variety of complex structures with only occasional non-systematic errors. -
Can I use bullet points or lists in IELTS Writing?
No. IELTS Writing requires continuous prose — full sentences and paragraphs. Using bullet points, numbered lists, or headings in Task 2 will result in a lower band for Coherence and Cohesion. Write in paragraphs with topic sentences, supporting detail, and cohesive devices throughout. Bullet points signal an inability to organise ideas in natural discourse.