IELTS Writing Task 2: Essay Templates, Samples & Band 7+ Tips

IELTS Writing Task 2 is the essay section that causes the most anxiety — and the most score drops. You have 40 minutes to write a 250+ word essay on a topic you have never seen before. The difference between Band 6 and Band 7+ usually comes down to structure, not vocabulary.

This guide provides sample essay structures, proven templates, and specific strategies to boost your Task 2 score.

Understanding Task 2 Essay Types

IELTS Writing Task 2 has five main essay types. Recognizing which type you are facing is the first step to a strong answer.

Opinion (Agree/Disagree)

The prompt asks: "To what extent do you agree or disagree?" You must take a clear position and defend it throughout.

Structure: Introduction (paraphrase + thesis) > Body 1 (main reason + example) > Body 2 (second reason + example) > Body 3 (optional: address counterargument) > Conclusion (restate position)

Example topic: "University education should be free for all students. To what extent do you agree or disagree?"

Sample introduction: "The question of whether higher education should be funded entirely by governments is increasingly debated in many countries. While free university education has clear social benefits, I believe that a completely free system is neither sustainable nor necessarily equitable, and a balanced funding model would better serve society."

Discussion (Discuss Both Views)

The prompt asks: "Discuss both views and give your opinion." You must present both sides fairly before stating your preference.

Structure: Introduction (paraphrase + state you will discuss both) > Body 1 (View A with reasons) > Body 2 (View B with reasons) > Your opinion paragraph > Conclusion

Problem/Solution

The prompt describes a problem and asks you to discuss causes and/or suggest solutions.

Structure: Introduction (paraphrase problem) > Body 1 (causes/reasons) > Body 2 (solutions) > Conclusion (summarize most important solution)

Advantages/Disadvantages

The prompt asks you to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of something.

Structure: Introduction > Body 1 (advantages) > Body 2 (disadvantages) > Conclusion (your overall assessment)

Two-Part Question

The prompt asks two direct questions. You must answer both.

Structure: Introduction > Body 1 (answer question 1) > Body 2 (answer question 2) > Conclusion

The Band 7+ Essay Template

This flexible template works for any essay type and ensures you hit all Band 7 criteria:

Paragraph 1 — Introduction (2-3 sentences): Paraphrase the topic in your own words. State your thesis or what you will discuss. Do not copy the prompt word-for-word.

Paragraph 2 — Body 1 (4-6 sentences): Topic sentence stating your first main point. Explain the reasoning. Provide a specific example or evidence. Connect back to the essay question.

Paragraph 3 — Body 2 (4-6 sentences): Topic sentence for your second point. Explain. Example. Connect back.

Paragraph 4 — Conclusion (2-3 sentences): Summarize your main points. Restate your position (for opinion essays) or give your overall assessment. Do not introduce new ideas.

10 High-Scoring Techniques

1. Paraphrase, never copy. The examiner checks if you can express ideas in your own words. Rewrite every key phrase from the prompt.

2. Use topic sentences. Start every body paragraph with a clear sentence that tells the reader what that paragraph is about.

3. Be specific with examples. "In many countries, such as Japan and South Korea, strict traffic laws have reduced road fatalities by over 30% in the past decade" scores higher than "Some countries have reduced accidents."

4. Use cohesive devices naturally. Furthermore, however, consequently, as a result, for instance, in contrast. But do not force them — overuse is penalized.

5. Vary your sentence structure. Mix simple, compound, and complex sentences. "While some argue that..., others believe..." demonstrates range.

6. Address the question directly. Every paragraph should clearly relate to the essay topic. Off-topic content is heavily penalized.

7. Write 260-280 words. The minimum is 250, but aim slightly higher to ensure you meet it. Over 300 words is unnecessary and risks more errors.

8. Plan for 5 minutes. Spend the first 5 minutes outlining your essay structure and key points. This prevents rambling and ensures logical flow.

9. Save 3 minutes to proofread. Check for subject-verb agreement, article usage, and spelling. Fixing two or three errors can move you up half a band.

10. Practice timed writing. Write at least one full essay per day for the month before your exam. Use actual IELTS prompts from Cambridge practice tests.

Common Band 6 Mistakes to Avoid

Repeating the prompt verbatim in your introduction. Examiners see this as inability to paraphrase.

Listing points without developing them. "There are many advantages such as A, B, C, D, E" scores lower than developing two points deeply with examples.

Using memorized phrases that do not fit. "In this day and age" and "It is a well-known fact" sound formulaic and do not add value.

Forgetting to conclude. An essay without a conclusion cannot score above Band 6 for Task Achievement.

Taking too long on Task 1. Task 2 is worth twice as much as Task 1. Spend 40 minutes on Task 2, only 20 on Task 1.

Practice Topics

Here are 10 recent IELTS-style topics to practice with:

1. Some people believe that children should begin learning a foreign language in primary school. Others think they should wait until secondary school. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
1. In many countries, the gap between the rich and the poor is increasing. What problems does this cause? What solutions can you suggest?
1. Some people think that the best way to improve road safety is to increase the minimum driving age. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
1. More and more people are working from home. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
1. Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school education. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
1. The rise of social media has fundamentally changed how people communicate. Is this a positive or negative development?
1. Some experts believe that AI will eventually replace most human jobs. What problems might this cause and what solutions can you suggest?
1. In many countries, people are choosing to have fewer children. What are the reasons for this? Is this a positive or negative trend?
1. Some people think that national governments should spend more on railways rather than roads. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
1. Many people believe that learning a second language is essential in the modern world. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Next Steps

For comprehensive IELTS preparation, combine writing practice with the other three sections. If you are unsure whether to take IELTS or PTE, read our comparison. Check the IELTS Speaking guide for the other high-value section, or compare all major English tests to find the right one for your goals.