IELTS Writing Task 2: Question Types and How to Approach Each

Writing Task 2 is the longer of the two Writing tasks. You write at least 250 words in about 40 minutes, and it contributes twice as much as Task 1 to your Writing score (ielts.org, ielts.org).

This guide is about the question. For the four-paragraph plan and the length rules, read how to structure Task 2. The Writing hub covers the whole test.

What a Task 2 question is made of

A Task 2 question has a prompt and an instruction. The prompt is a topic followed by a point of view, an argument or a problem. After it, you either answer one or two questions, or discuss different viewpoints and give your own opinion source: ielts.org.

Read the prompt first to find its main parts. Your task response mark needs all of them addressed to reach band 6 or higher. For example, if the prompt names two groups and you write about only one, your task response mark is limited to band 5 source: ielts.org.

Misreading the instruction can also cost you marks, even if your grammar and vocabulary are good source: IDP.

Look at the instruction words too, such as "discuss" and "agree or disagree". They tell you how to structure the answer source: British Council.

The question types

The table below shows seven question types from IDP's article, with the kind of instruction each one uses.

source: IDP

So use the table to read an instruction, not to pick a template. You may see the name "problem solution" for a question about a problem. Check what the question asks for. If it asks only for solutions, do not write a paragraph on causes.

How to approach each type

Opinion questions

Decide your position and say it in the introduction. Repeat it in the conclusion. Support your reasons with examples from your own experience source: IDP.

Band 7 asks for "a clear and developed position" source: ielts.org. The examiner should never have to search for your opinion.

Discussion questions

These have three parts: the first view, the second view and your own opinion source: IDP.

Keep your opinion out of the paragraphs on the views. Phrases such as "some claim" and "supporters of this view" keep other people's views apart from yours. A phrase such as "on balance, my personal view is" marks your own opinion source: IDP.

So give each view its own body paragraph. State your own opinion clearly in the introduction or the conclusion.

Advantages and disadvantages

If the question only asks for the advantages and disadvantages, cover both.

Some questions ask whether the advantages or the disadvantages are greater. You must then discuss both, and say which outweighs the other source: IDP.

With this kind of question, do not list only the advantages, or only the disadvantages. Do not present both without deciding which is greater, and do not leave out your opinion source: IDP.

Cause and solution questions

Both ielts.org format pages list a solution to a problem among the abilities assessed (ielts.org, ielts.org). The table in the Academic and General Training section shows the wording.

Read which two things the question asks for. Then give each one its own body paragraph.

Multi-part questions

When there are two questions after the prompt, answer both. You can write one body paragraph on each source: IDP. Count the parts before you plan source: IDP.

In a two-part question, the two questions can be paired in different ways: cause and effect, cause and solution, or cause and opinion source: IDP.

A "positive or negative development" question asks for your opinion. In one example it follows a "Why" question, and the pair asks for a cause and an opinion source: IDP. So give the cause first, then your view.

One mistake to avoid is answering the first question twice, in two paragraphs.

Academic and General Training

IDP's table does not split the question types by test.

Task 2 is the same in both versions source: British Council. You write the same kind of essay in Academic and General Training source: IDP.

Depending on the task type, you are assessed on some of these abilities (ielts.org, ielts.org).

(ielts.org, ielts.org)

Each test has one list on ielts.org. The rows here put similar abilities side by side. General Training also lists providing general factual information source: ielts.org.

For Academic, write in an academic or semi-formal/neutral style source: ielts.org. For General Training, write a semi-formal/neutral discursive essay source: ielts.org.

The four-paragraph plan works for both tests. Our guide to Academic and General Training shows the other differences.

How the question links to your mark

Task response is the criterion that checks whether you answered the question. At band 7, the main parts of the prompt are appropriately addressed and a clear and developed position is presented. At band 6, the main parts are addressed, "though some may be more fully covered than others". At band 5, they are incompletely addressed source: ielts.org.

Paragraphing is part of coherence and cohesion. For Task 2, paragraphs are expected at band 6 and above source: ielts.org. At band 7, paragraphing is generally used effectively to support overall coherence source: ielts.org.

So when each main part of the question has a clear place in your essay, it helps two criteria at once. The reader can find every part you were asked for.

The same four criteria mark every Task 2 answer, whatever the question type. The task response guide shows the bands. How IELTS Writing is marked shows how the four fit together.

Where to go next

• How to structure Task 2 covers the four-paragraph plan and the length rules.
• Task response, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource and grammatical range and accuracy explain the four criteria.
• Writing Task 1 covers the shorter task.
• The Writing improvement plan shows where to start if Writing holds your band down.
• The word counter checks a draft against the 250-word minimum.

The task descriptions and abilities come from the Academic and General Training Writing format pages and the Writing resources page on ielts.org. The band wording comes from the public Writing band descriptors, updated May 2023. The question types come from two IDP articles: how to understand question prompts, dated 16 March 2021, and types of essays, dated 24 August 2021. The advice on instruction words comes from the British Council's Writing preparation page. Only IDP names question types in the pages we read. The ielts.org and British Council pages describe the task in general terms and name none. The ielts.org format pages, the Writing resources page and the British Council page show no date. Last checked on 19 October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Which Task 2 question type is most common?

No page we read from ielts.org, IDP or the British Council ranks the types or says how often each one appears. So this guide does not rank them. Learn to read an instruction instead.

Do I need a different plan for each type?

Not a different template. Do not match your answer to a category, and avoid memorised answers (IDP, British Council).

Cover every part of the question. The sections above show what changes. The four-paragraph plan is the frame they fit into.

Can one question mix types?

Yes. IDP's table includes a multi-part type that adds an opinion question to another question source: IDP.