IELTS WRITING TASK 2 (ESSAY QUESTION) question types & structure of essay

This is the first of 5 posts where you will be looking at the IELTS writing task 2 (essay question). Before we discuss how to write a response for such a question, it is important to understand the 'structure' needed to produce an effective response and the 'types of questions'.

Regardless of the type of question, the format and structure of your response for the IELTS writing task 2 should be:

1. Introduction

2. Body paragraph 1 (main idea and supporting arguments)

3. Body paragraph 2 (main idea and supporting arguments)

4. Conclusion.

Now that you know the structure, you need to know the different types of IELTS writing task 2 questions, and HOW to write your response to each.

There are 5 types of questions, you might be given any one of these 5 in your exam.

1. Opinion: Such questions will usually be worded as:

What is your opinion?

Do you agree or disagree?

To what extent do you agree .....

STRUCTURE:

Introduction: 3 sentences:

1. Paraphrase the question. Write the question again, but use your own words.

2. Thesis statement (whether you agree / disagree)

3. Synopsis / outline sentence. Write what you plan to discuss in the body paragraphs.

Main body (paragraph 1): 3 sentences

1. Topic sentence. A general statement / sentence.

2. Expand on your topic sentence. Give reasons and explanations.

3. Give examples to support your main idea for this paragraph.

Main body (paragraph 2): 3 sentences

1. Topic sentence

2. Reasons and explanations

3. Examples.

Conclusion: 1 sentence

Summarize your writing and write your overall opinion (refer back to the THESIS STATEMENT).

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2. Advantages and disadvantages.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of.....

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

STRUCTURE:

Introduction: 2 sentences

1. Paraphrase the question

2. Write your synopsis (outline statement). This is the ideas that you will discuss in your essay.

Main body (paragraph 1): 4 sentences

1. Write one advantage

2. Give explanations for the advantage you have stated (why is ...... an advantage?)

3. Write examples

4. Concluding sentence (your overall conclusion to this paragraph)

Main body (paragraph 2): 4 sentences

1. Write one disadvantage (your previous paragraph stated an advantage).

2. Explain

3. Write examples

4. Concluding sentence

Conclusion: 2 sentences

1. Summarize your writing

2. Write your overall opinion (this will be very similar to your thesis statement, but worded differently).

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3. Question essay on both views.

Discuss both points of view and give your own opinion.

STRUCTURE:

Introduction: 3 sentences

1. Paraphrase the question + write BOTH view points

2. Thesis statement (this is to say which you agree with)

3. Synopsis (Write the ideas you plan to discuss)

Main body (paragraph 1): 4 sentences

1. Write your first point of view

2. Expand on your sentence.

3. Give reasons (why do you agree / disagree?)

4. Write examples 'for' your view (supporting your opinion)

Main body (paragraph 2): 4 sentences

1. Write your second point of view

2. Expand

3. Give reasons (why do you agree / disagree?)

4. Write examples

Conclusion: 2 sentences

1. Summarize your essay

2. Write which point of view is more important (in your opinion)

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4. Problem and solution questions

Discuss the problem and solution

Discuss the cause and solution.

STRUCTURE:

Introduction: 2 sentences

1. Paraphrase the question

2. Synopsis statement

Main body (paragraph 1): 4 sentences

1. Write the problem / cause

2. Explain and expand (give more details)

3. Write a result / consequence for the problem

4. Write an example to support your writing.

Main body (paragraph 2): 3 sentences

1. Write a solution

2. Explain and give further details

3. Write an example.

Conclusion: 2 sentences

1. Summarize your essay

2. Write a prediction / give a recommendation

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5. Two - part questions

A statement followed by a question.

STRUCTURE:

Introduction: 2 sentences

1. Paraphrase the question

2. Synopsis (outline or plan), include both questions.

Main body (paragraph 1):4 sentences

1. Respond to the 1st question.

2. Give reasons.

3. Expand / give further details and explanations

4. Give examples

Main body (paragraph 2): 4 sentences

1. Respond to the 2nd question

2. Reasons

3. Further discussions

4. Give examples

Conclusion: 1 sentence

Summarize your essay. You do not need to give many details here, because you have already expanded on each question in your main body paragraphs.

NOTE: As you can see, regardless of the type of question, in answering, each response has to include a paraphrased version of the question in the introduction, as well as a synopsis (plan) for what main ideas will be discussed. For a tutorial on HOW TO PARAPHRASE, watch my YouTube video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-jA7e_Uehc

Each point has to be accompanied by a reason and example.

There has to always be a final conclusion / summary to your response.

I hope you have found this post useful. In my next posts, I will be going into more specific detail about how to write EACH paragraph.

Thank you.