IELTS Writing Task 2: Tips For IELTS Writing Task 2

The International English Language Testing System, or IELTS, is one of the world’s most popular and standardized English language proficiency tests that evaluates the English language proficiency of non-native speakers for overseas education and employment. There are two types of IELTS exams: IELTS Academic and General Training. The test has four sections: Writing, Speaking, Reading, and Listening. The writing section is similar for both IELTS Academic and General Training. IELTS Writing Task 2 requires you to write an essay in response to a statement, or situation. 

What is IELTS Writing Task 2?

The IELTS Writing Task 2 is the second part of the writing test, where you are presented with a point of view, argument, or problem and asked to write an essay in response to the question, in a word length of 250 words within 40 minutes. The IELTS writing task 2 section focuses on evaluating the applicant’s ability to write a response that is in sync with the terms of content, ideas, the accuracy of vocabulary, and grammar. The test-takers need to provide opinions and reasons behind arguments, and writing should be grammatically correct. Task 2 is designed to evaluate the writing skills of the applicants to determine if they are suitable to study and work in English-speaking countries. 

IELTS Writing Task 2 tips

• Keep the word limit of the essay to 250 words and not more than that. Choose quality over quantity. More words will not mean better. Time management is important. Complete the entire essay within 40 minutes. Finish off the essay within the time and quickly read it out once to scan out all the minor and major mistakes. Proofread the write-up to avoid simple mistakes. 
• Applicants must write a short and interesting introduction. Use the right words for the introduction. The examiners should be able to understand the content of the essay by reading the introduction. An excellent conclusion is very important. Finish off the essay with an interesting conclusion. Finishing words should be chosen in an ideal manner. 
• The vocabulary should be strong. It is not possible to mug up the entire dictionary, so when students are not able to understand the meaning of a particular word, they should try to understand the meaning of the words and sentences around the difficult word to find a cue. 
• The question is important, as it has an answer in itself. So, applicants must understand the question well to write an excellent essay. The essay should be relevant to the topic. Meet the expectations of the examiners by keeping the 250-word essay coherent and to the point. 
• The main paragraphs of the essay are where you give the examiner more detail. This is done by stating your main points and supporting these with explanations and relevant examples and experience. 
• Answer all the parts of the questions. You must read the question carefully and decide how many parts are in it. You must answer all parts of the question to reach a band of 8 or higher. Some questions have 2 to 3 parts, so be very careful to complete the essay. 
• Use linking phrases and connecting words to carefully organize all the ideas from the introduction to the conclusion. Express and order the ideas, opinions, and arguments in the right order. 
• Organize your essay in short and crisp paragraphs. Do not write long sentences and do not stuff words in a long paragraph. Organize the entire write-up in short and crisp paragraphs. Each paragraph should have a valid idea and a relevant topic. 
• Band 8 writers skillfully use uncommon lexical items. Vocabulary is important, so make sure you do not make any mistakes with the selection of words.
• Task 2 is a formal essay. Maintain the right format and structure. Use the right tone and format. Use the passive voice to sound more formal and objective. 
• The essay should be completely grammatically correct. Try to avoid both minor and major grammatical errors. Apply grammar rules appropriately in a correct way. 

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Essential Writing Task 2 skills for IELTS

Writing Task 2 has 66% of the total writing marks. It is important to do well in this task, to get band 7 and more. Writing skills are an important part of communication. Good writing skills allow you to showcase your language proficiency and achieve the desired goal of studying or working in English-speaking countries. Here are all the writing skills that are important for a good band score. 

• Develop a unique writing style. IELTS is taken by applicants worldwide, so the competition is huge. Every applicant has their own style, tone, and skill to deliver the best essay in their interesting ways. 
• Time management is important. For the writing section, time plays an important part. Applicants must plan and manage time to complete the essay within 40 minutes. 
• Having a broad vocabulary is an asset for a successful writer. To enhance your writing skills, try to listen to, speak, and read a lot of English every day. The more you read and listen, the better words you will know. Use interesting, positive, and crisp words in the essay. 
• Grammar, spelling, and punctuation will always play a significant role. These are some of the important skills that every writer must have along with their creativity. Poor punctuation and spelling will bring negativity in writing. 
• The tone is an important writing skill. The tone should be formal. The audience is the examiners and you must use a formal tone. 
• In your task 2, use facts. When you use facts and numbers, it makes your essay more valuable and enriched. Use evidence, when the question asks you to do so. 
• Sentence construction is important. Use connectors to maintain the right flow of ideas and opinions in the entire essay.

Conclusion

Have a proper understanding of IELTS Writing Task 2 and always follow these tips and strategies to score a band 8. 

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