7 Different Types Of Essay In IELTS Writing Task 2

Types Of Essay In IELTS Writing Task 2 – Nowadays everyone wants to migrate abroad to an English speaking country whether it is for work or study. To migrate to an English speaking country people must submit their language proficiency score along with their application.

To prove their language proficiency they can choose any of the following exam;

• IELTS
• PTE
• TOEFL
• CanTEST
• CELPIP

In this blog, I will talk about the IELTS exam and answer the query, “types of essay in ielts writing task 2.”

But first you must know everything about the IELTS exam. Let’s start with what IELTS is and its format.

If you want to ace In IELTS exam at home, then you should learn these tips to prepare for IELTS at home.

What Is IELTS?

IELTS is a language test that calculates students’ language proficiency in English in four different modules. That are;

• Listening
• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking

The first three modules take place on the same day and speaking can take place before or after other three modules.

Here is the format of the IELTS exam that you must know before learning about the types of essay in ielts writing task 2.

Module	Duration	Question Types
Listening	40 minutes	Multiple choice Matching information Plan, map, diagram labeling Form, note, table, flow-chart, summary completion Sentence completion Short-answer questions
Reading	1 hour	Multiple choice Identifying information Identifying the writer’s views/claims Matching headings Matching features Matching sentence endings Sentence completion Summary, note, table, flow-chart completion Diagram label completion Short-answer questions
Writing	1 hour	IELTS Academic Task 1: Bar Chart Table-Chart Multiple Graphs Map Pie Chart Process Diagram Line Graph IELTS General Task 1: Formal letter Informal letter Semi-formal letter IELTS Academic & General Task 2: Agree or disagree Opinion Advantages and disadvantages Direct essay Cause/solution essay Positive/negative essay Discussion essay
Speaking	10 – 14 minutes	Part 1 – Introductive question Part 2 – Cue card Part 3 – Follow-up

Now let’s discuss different essay types in the IELTS exam.

Types Of Essay In IELTS Writing Task 2

As we mentioned in the format, there are a total of 7 essay types in the IELTS exam. Here you will get to know about the proper information about the different essay types of IELTS writing task 2 along with their examples.

• Agree or disagree
• Opinion
• Advantages and disadvantages
• Direct essay
• Cause/solution essay
• Positive/negative essay
• Discussion essay

Agree or disagree

This is the first essay in our list of Types Of Essay In IELTS Writing Task 2. In this type of essay writing question, the examiner will give students a statement and ask them whether they agree or disagree with the given statement. 

This question has two types;

• In the first type the examiner will ask you to what extent you agree or disagree. In this you partially agree or disagree with the given statement.
• In the second type of question the examiner will directly ask you whether you agree or disagree with the given statement. Here you have to fully agree or disagree with the given statement.

NOTE: You can not partially agree with the statement unless the examiner asked you to.

Examples of agree or disagree question:

“Parents who send their children to private schools for education must not be asked to pay the taxes to support the educational system. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

“Parents are the best teachers for students. Do you agree or disagree?”

Opinion

In this type of questions students are asked to give their opinions about the given statement. 

For example:

“Some people believe that to calculate intelligence the best way is success while others say that it can be calculated by many other methods. Give your opinion after discussing both views.”

Advantages and disadvantages

In this types of essay in IELTS writing task 2, students will be asked to give the advantages and disadvantages of the trend given in the statement. 

For example:

“Nowadays the Ebooks are taking the place of paper books, many individuals think that it is a good step while others think that it is not. What are the advantages (pros) and disadvantages (cons) of this trend?”

Direct essay

In this question type the examiner will ask you a direct question that students have to answer according to their knowledge.

For example:

“Many people agree with saying that money can’t buy happiness. Why do you think that it is hard to define happiness? What can people do to achieve happiness?”

Cause/solution essay

In this type of IELTS writing task 2, the examiner will give you a problem and ask you about the causes and solutions for that problem.

For example:

“After their first punishment many criminals commit more crimes. Why is this happening and what efforts can be done to tackle this problem.”

Positive/negative essay

In this types of essay in IELTS writing task 2 the examiner will give you a statement that will show a trend and ask you whether that is a positive trend or negative one.

For example:

More and more people prefer to socialize online instead of socializing face-to-face. What do you think, is it a positive or negative trend?”

Discussion essay

This is the last type of IELTS essay that is also very common in the IELTS exam. In this type of IELTS writing task 2 essay the examiner will give you two points of views of people about a statement and ask you to discuss both views and can also ask you to give your opinion.

For example:

“Many people say that the environmental or nature related issues must be solved globally while others argue that it should be managed on a national level. Discuss both views.”

Examples Of IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions With Answers

These are the examples of IELTS Writing Task 2 question with answers:

Some people believe that children should spend more time on physical activities, while others feel that they should focus more on academic studies. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

In many countries, the gap between the rich and the poor is widening. What problems does this create, and what solutions can you suggest?

Some people argue that the best way to reduce crime is to give longer prison sentences, while others believe that there are better alternatives. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

The growth of online shopping has had a significant impact on local businesses. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?

Tips For Writing An Effective IELTS Writing Task 2

Here are some tips and strategies for writing an effective IELTS Writing task 2 essay:

• Understand the Question: You should carefully read and analyze the question prompt to ensure you fully understand what is being asked. Identify key instructions, keywords, and the specific task you need to accomplish. 
• Plan Your Essay: Take a few minutes to brainstorm ideas, create an outline, and organize your thoughts before starting to write. This will help you maintain a clear structure and coherence throughout your essay.
• Stick to the recommended essay structure: Follow a clear and logical structure, including an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Ensure that your ideas flow smoothly and that there is a clear progression from one paragraph to the next. 
• Use Paragraphs effectively: Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea. Provide supporting evidence, examples, or explanations to develop your points. Aim for a balanced and well-structured essay. 
• Manage your Time Wisely: Allocate enough time for planning, writing, and reviewing your essay within the given time limit. Avoid spending too much time on one section and leave ample time for proofreading and making necessary revisions. 
• Use Formal Language and Vocabulary: Maintain a formal tone and use appropriate vocabulary for an academic essay. Avoid slang, colloquial expressions, and overly complex language. Show your range of vocabulary by incorporating a variety of words and phrases.
• Show a range of Grammatical Structures: Utilize a mix of sentence structures, including complex and compound sentences, to showcase your grammatical skills. Aim for accuracy and avoid repetitive sentence patterns. 
• Support Your Ideas With Evidence: Support your arguments and opinions with relevant examples, facts, statistics, or real-life situations. This shows your ability to provide credible support for your ideas.
• Address All Parts Of The Question: Ensure that you fully address all aspects of the question prompt in your essay. Failure to do so may result in a lower score. 
• Proofread and Edit Your Essay: Leave some time in the end to carefully review your essay. Check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Ensure that your sentences are clear and concise. Make any necessary revisions to improve the overall quality of your writing. 
• Practice Writing regularly: Familiarize yourself with different essay topics and practice writing essays within the time limit. This will help you build confidence, improve your writing skills, and become more comfortable with the task requirements. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid In All Types Of Essay In IELTS Writing Task 2

Here are some common mistakes that you must avoid in IELTS writing task 2. You must also have knowledge about these mistakes along with knowing the types of essay in IELTS writing task 2.

1. Grammatical Errors: One of the most common mistakes that most students make is grammatical errors, such as incorrect verb tense usage, subject-verb agreement issues, and punctuation errors. To avoid these mistakes, review basic grammar rules and practice using them accurately. You can also take feedback from a teacher or grammar-checking tools like Grammarly.
2. Excessive Repetition: Students sometimes repeat the same ideas or phrases throughout their essays, which can decrease the overall quality of your essay. To avoid this, learn different vocabulary and sentence structures. Use synonyms, transitional phrases to express your ideas in a different and engaging manner.
3.  Lack of Clarity: Clear and concise writing is important in all types of essay in IELTS writing task 2. Avoid overly complex sentence structures that can confuse the reader. Ensure that your ideas are expressed in a straightforward manner, and provide suitable examples and evidence to support your arguments.
4. Failure to Address the Prompt Adequately: It is important to fully understand the prompt and answer all its questions asked in your essay prompt. Make sure you analyze the prompt carefully, identify the key components, and structure your essay accordingly. Give 5 minutes to understand the prompt before starting writing. 
5. Insufficient Development of Ideas: Students sometimes present ideas without providing proper explanation or supporting ideas. You can avoid this mistake in all types of essay in IELTS writing task 2 by showing your ideas properly and using related examples, statistics, or personal experiences to strengthen your arguments. 
6. Lack of Coherence and Cohesion: Coherence refers to the logical flow of ideas, while cohesion refers to the effective use of linking words and phrases to connect different parts of the essay. To improve coherence and cohesion, use appropriate transitional words and phrases, maintain a clear structure, and ensure that each paragraph is related to the previous one.
7. Ignoring Counter-Arguments: In some essay types, it is important to discuss and address counter-arguments to show a balanced viewpoint. Failing to discuss opposing viewpoints can make your essay look weak. Take the time to consider alternative opinions and address them properly.

Best Books To Prepare For IELTS Writing Task 2

There are several excellent books to prepare for IELTS Writing Task 2. Here are some popular ones:

• “IELTS Writing Task 2 – Academic and General: The Ultimate Guide with Practice to Get a Target Band Score of 8.0+ in 10 Minutes a Day” by Rachel Mitchell

• “Cambridge IELTS 14 Academic Student’s Book with Answers: Authentic Examination Papers” by Cambridge University Press

• “IELTS Writing Task 2: Achieve Band 7+ in 5 Hours” by William Sautter

• “IELTS Writing Task 2 – 99 Essays Band 8+: A Collection of the Most Recent and Best IELTS Task 2 Essays” by Julia White

• “IELTS Writing Task 2: 99 Essays Band 8” by Dr. Lin Lougheed

• “IELTS Writing Task 2 Strategies: Band 7+ – IELTS Academic and General” by Rachel Mitchell

• “IELTS Writing Task 2 – Simon’s Band 9 Essays: 2019 Edition!” by Simon Braverman

• “Ace the IELTS: IELTS General Module – How to Maximize Your Score” by Simone Braverman

Conclusion

In this blog, I have explained 7 different types of essay in IELTS writing task 2. The essay writing in task 2 of IELTS exam is the same for both test takers, Academic and General training.

You need to prepare for all these types of essays to get a good score in the IELTS exam, because you can face any of these essays in the IELTS writing task 2.

If you still have any questions or queries related to types of essay in IELTS writing task 2, you can let us know through the comments and our experts will revert you as soon as possible.

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