7 Different Types Of IELTS Writing Task 2 Essays

Nowadays, most people want to migrate abroad to an English-speaking nation to work or study. 

To fulfill this dream, they must prove their English language proficiency. There are numerous tests in the market to prove English proficiency, but the IELTS is the most chosen exam.

To achieve a good score in the IELTS exam, it is important to do well in the writing section. This is the most challenging section of the IELTS exam and requires proper guidance. So here, in this blog, I will explain the types of IELTS writing task 2 essays. Because if you can not differentiate different essay types in the IELTS exam, then it may be hard for you to score well in IELTS writing. Let’s start by understanding the IELTS exam!

What Is IELTS?

The IELTS is an English language proficiency test that measures proficiency in 4 different modules;

• Listening
• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking

This exam is conducted by IDP and accepted worldwide in more than 11000 educational institutes and organizations.

The IELTS exam is of two types one for Academic purposes (IELTS Academic) and one for immigration or PR purposes (IELTS General Training). The types of IELTS writing task 2 essays are the same for both exams. 

Let’s see the IELTS exam structure and the question types in different IELTS modules.

Read our other blog to learn How To Improve IELTS Writing Task 1.

Types Of IELTS Writing Task 2

As I have mentioned above, the IELTS exam has 7 different types of writing tasks 2 essays;

• Agree or disagree
• Opinion
• Discuss both views 
• Advantages and disadvantages
• Problem or Solution 
• Positive or Negative development
• Direct essay

Agree or disagree

This is the first and most common IELTS writing task 2 students face in the exam. In this essay type, the examiner will give you a statement and ask whether you agree or disagree with the given statement.

In agree or disagree, there are two types of questions;

• Partial agree or disagree

The examiner will ask you to what extent you agree or disagree with the statement. In your answer, you can partially agree or disagree with the given statement.

For example:

It is important to have a huge salary rather than job satisfaction. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the statement? Give relevant examples.

• Fully agree or disagree

The examiner will ask whether you agree or disagree with the statement. In your answer, you must agree or disagree with the statement. You can’t partially agree or disagree with the statement in this type of question.

For example:

By reading books, people can develop more language skills and imagination than by watching TV. Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Give relevant examples.

Opinion

In an opinion essay, the examiner will give you a statement and will ask you to give your opinion about the statement. 

For example:

Many people believe that more money should be spent on saving endangered species, and others believe it is only a waste of time and money. Give your opinion with a suitable example.

Discuss both views

In this, the examiner will give you two different points of view about a single statement and ask you to discuss both views and sometimes the examiner can also ask for your opinion. 

Out of all these types of IELTS writing task 2 essays, this essay type is considered the most difficult to write. This is the most difficult because you have to think of ideas related to both views and keep in mind that you are not contradicting your idea.

For example:

Many people think it is important to exercise for good health, while others believe a balanced diet is essential. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Download the IELTS Writing Task 2 PDF with sample answers.

Advantages and disadvantages

It may be clear from the name that the examiner will ask you the advantages and disadvantages of a trend in this type of question.

For example:

Many old people are not looked after by their children instead, they are put in nursing homes or care homes. What are this trend’s advantages (benefits) and disadvantages (drawbacks)?

Problems or Solutions 

In problems and solutions essays, the examiner will ask you about the problems that a trend can make and some solutions for those problems.

For example:

Explain the problems generated due to overpopulation in urban areas and give some solutions to solve those problems.

Positive or Negative development

In this essay type, the examiner will give you a statement or talk about the latest trend and ask whether it is positive or negative.

For example:

Many countries are turning farmlands and parks into residential or commercial buildings. Is it a positive development or a negative one?

Read our other blog for the recent Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics.

Direct essay

This is the last and one of the simplest types of IELTS writing task 2 essays. In this, the examiner will give you one or two direct questions you must answer according to your knowledge.

For example:

Different companies use different methods or ways to promote their products. What are those methods, and which is the best and most effective?

Conclusion

In this blog, I have explained the types of IELTS writing task 2 essays. There are 7 different types of task 2 essays in IELTS writing, and you must prepare for all these essays for the best result because you don’t know what kind of essay you will face in the exam.

I hope this blog has cleared all your queries about the types of IELTS writing task 2, and if you need any IELTS or studying abroad guidance, you must contact our experts.

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