Magoosh IELTS Blog

offers IELTS practice questions and videos.

Sign up for Magoosh Academic or General Training prep or log in.

Magoosh IELTS Blog

Everything you need to know about the IELTS
Search...

Home
About IELTS
Resources
Study Plans
Practice Test
Speaking
Reading
Writing
Listening
IELTS Prep
Home � IELTS Writing � IELTS Writing Task 2: Academic & General Training � The Best
IELTS Task 2 Writing Template
Gwendolyn
The Best IELTS Task 2 Writing Template
BY GWENDOLYN ON MARCH 18, 2016 , UPDATED ON APRIL 19, 2019, IN IELTS WRITING TASK
2: ACADEMIC & GENERAL TRAINING

If you�ve begun your IELTS prep, you�ll know that the Task 2 Essay asks you to
write an academic-based essay discussing an argument, opinion or point of view. But
where do you start? If you follow the simple IELTS Task 2 Writing template below,
you will easily be able to structure your essay and concisely write the required
250 words. Once you�re done here, continue onto our Complete Guide to the IELTS
Writing Task 2 to learn more about how to improve your score.

Basic IELTS Task 2 Writing Template Structure

I would recommend that your essay uses the following structure:

IELTS Task 2 Writing Template

Get a higher IELTS score? Start your online IELTS prep today with Magoosh.
Below is more detail on the sentences that should be contained within each of these
paragraphs along with examples based around this sample Task 2 Question:

Government investment in the visual arts, the kind you commonly see in art
galleries, is a waste of money. Governments must invest this money in public
services instead. To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Introduction
Aim to write three sentences around 60 words in total.

Sentence 1 � Paraphrase the task question or write a general statement relating to

the topic using synonyms of the key words used in the question. E.g. These days,
many local governments spend large portions of their budget not only on public
services, but also on the visual arts.

Sentence 2 � State your opinion or point of view on the question being asked. E.g �
Although I agree that it is important to invest in local amenities, I do not think
spending on the visual arts is a waste of money.
Sentence 3 � Give an essay overview including a summarizing phrase like: E.g. This
essay will discuss this issue using examples to support arguments and demonstrate
points.
Supporting Paragraphs
The two supporting paragraphs should include your ideas and supporting examples to
answer the task question. Aim to write only two supporting paragraphs with roughly
85 words in each. Each paragraph should contain the following four sentences and
stick to one idea per paragraph:

Paragraph 1:

Sentence 1 � State your 1st position. Eg. On the one hand, spending a significant
amount of the government budget on public services is beneficial for society.

Sentence 2 � Explain why you hold that position. Eg. Providing for basic amenities,
such as hospitals, roads, and schools, helps to determine the quality of life that
most citizens will have.

Sentence 3 � Give an academic example that backs up your idea. Eg. For example, a
recent survey by Education Today shows that countries that spend more on schools
have a population that is higher in literacy, by 65%, compared to those that
dedicate no money to education.

Sentence 4 � Summarise the paragraph showing how your example links your
idea/argument back to the main idea. Eg. Therefore it is apparent that spending on
public services is a worthwhile investment for a government.
Paragraph 2:

Sentence 1 � State your 2nd position. Eg. However, this does not mean that the
visual arts should be completely neglected.

Sentence 2 � Explain why you hold that position. Eg. The visual arts also have an
important impact on our quality of life.

Sentence 3 � Give an academic example that backs up your idea. Eg. For example, a
recent study conducted by the World Health Organization concluded that individuals
that regularly visit art galleries are cited as being 20% happier in life than
people who do not.

Sentence 4 � Summarise the paragraph showing how your example links your
idea/argument back to the main idea. Eg. Seeing the health benefits that many
people get from the visual arts, it is important that the government assists such
institutions so that they can continue to provide pleasure to the public.
Conclusion
For the conclusion, aim to write just one or two sentences that paraphrase what
you�ve discussed in the essay. Try to keep to under 45 words.

Sentence 1 � Summarise the essay. Be sure to start this sentence with an

appropriate linking phrase (i.e. In conclusion, To sum up, Consequently) followed
by an overall summary of what you�ve just written. E.g. To sum up, although there
are clear benefits of ensuring a large amount of investment goes into public
services, I do not believe spending money on the arts is a waste of money as this
too provides important benefits.

Sentence 2 � Give a Final Thought. Eg. In the future, governments should consider
budgeting for both.
By the way, improve your IELTS score with Magoosh!

Most Popular Resources

Free IELTS eBook
IELTS Lessons
IELTS Podcast
One-Week IELTS Study Schedule
Complete Guide to IELTS Vocab
Related Posts
O melhor modelo da Tarefa 2 de Writing do IELTS
IELTS Academic Writing Task 2: The Complete Guide
Top 5 IELTS Essay Resources
IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Contest | Video Post
How to Revise an IELTS Essay
Brainstorming Ideas for the IELTS Task 2 Essay
Share
11
Tweet
Pin
6
About Gwendolyn
Gwendolyn is our expert blogger on IELTS. She has experience in preparing students
for the IELTS exam and is currently in South Korea teaching English as a Second
Language. When not blogging, you are most likely to find her on an airplane,
striving to obtain membership in the Traveler�s Century Club, something she�s just
about as passionate about as helping students achieve their life dreams.
PreviousNext
24 Responses to The Best IELTS Task 2 Writing Template

Sazal June 1, 2016 at 6:40 pm #

Hi Magoosh,
Thanks for your valuable tips.

REPLY

Magoosh Test Prep Expert June 2, 2016 at 7:50 am #

You�re welcome, Sazal ??

Happy studying!

REPLY

Anup Thapa September 23, 2016 at 12:28 am #

What grade can this example get?

REPLY

yerke October 22, 2016 at 5:08 am #

Hellooooooo
is it 100 % information that there must be only one idea/point per a paragraph? I
have looked through other so called �9 band� essays and they contain several ideas
in one supportive paragraph?
I am really confused ��

REPLY

Magoosh Test Prep Expert October 26, 2016 at 3:49 am #

Hi Yerke,

It is not entirely a requirement that a paragraph has one idea only, but it is a
good plan to have a core purpose for the paragraph and to make sure that the
information in each paragraph must be related to that core purpose/idea. The more
you jam into a single paragraph, the more likely it is that the flow and argument
will be lost.

Don�t worry about absolute requirements for essay structure�if you bring a reader
gently through your ideas in a way that is easy to follow, you will be in good
shape! ??

REPLY

Sami Ul Huda December 3, 2016 at 1:54 pm #

Hello Sami here,

I have just started learning IELTS.

Found this essay well written for an agree or disagree up to an extend type of
prompt.

May I know all the different positions that the essay prompt may ask us to take
apart from agree/ disagree and agree/ disagree � up to an extend
Also a suggest me the best way to prepare for them all.

Thanks in advance ??

REPLY

Magoosh Test Prep Expert December 6, 2016 at 8:09 am #

Agree/disagree is one of a few common formats for IELTS Writing Task 2 questions.
There are also arguments with opposing views� there you choose one side of an
argument. This is like agree/disagree in many respects, but not exactly the same.
The third fairly common IELTS Writing Task 2 question format is problem/solution.
Here, as the name suggests, you propose a solution to a common problem that is
described in the IELTS Writing prompt. To learn more, check out this podcast
episode with more information about IELTS academic writing.

REPLY

Syed December 29, 2016 at 10:05 pm #

Hello,

Thanks, useful info�. Please advise what will be the structure and easiest way to
write essay having asking for advantages and disadvantages.

REPLY

Iman May 30, 2017 at 3:23 pm #

Can we lie in Task 2? for example, a research from a Fake Journal represents 15% of
Canadians have cancer.

Do they (double check online) and deduct marks?

REPLY

Magoosh Test Prep Expert June 3, 2017 at 5:00 am #

Hi Iman,

I wouldn�t make up crazy lies, but if you say something kind of reasonable, no one
will care if it isn�t actually true. The focus here is on your English skills. ??

REPLY
Jonaid July 7, 2017 at 12:07 am #
I would like to make especial lies in English language test. Will see what will be
the outcome. But my writing skills are really poor, i have to take some advantage
from big blunder lies

REPLY

Magoosh Test Prep Expert July 10, 2017 at 4:54 pm #

Just remember that the lie is only useful if you tell it in strong English! ??

REPLY

Ramandeep Singh Ranouta June 21, 2017 at 8:55 am #

This is the best method to write an essay that ever i have seen ?

REPLY

Zahed September 4, 2017 at 11:24 pm #

it�s nice approach. but in this structure, how band score will we get?

REPLY

Magoosh Test Prep Expert September 7, 2017 at 10:15 am #

I�m glad you like this template! This approach helps you get the best band score
possible. However, there�s no guaranteed band score for using this template. Your
band score depends on many other factors besides your general approach. Your skill
level in English, how energetic you feel on test day, the specific question you
get, etc. all influence your IELTS band score.

REPLY

jeevenjot January 17, 2018 at 4:58 am #

thaks for appropriate tips

REPLY

tech guru with amit August 24, 2018 at 6:46 am #

I do not understand reading please give me best tips and strategy for reading so I
get good score in reading my exam is on 29 th september

REPLY

David Recine August 24, 2018 at 7:20 am #

IELTS Reading can be challenging. Eliot�s Complete Guide to IELTS Reading can be a
good place to start. Beyond that, it�s really important to think about exactly why
you find Reading challenging. Identify the specific question types, passage types
or reading skills that are most challenging for you. Then work on addressing those
weaknesses. As you identify your weaknesses, you just might also discover your
strengths, and build on them.

REPLY

Zara November 24, 2018 at 11:54 am #

Hi!Thnx for the template but I have a question. May the phrase like �This essay
will discuss this issue using examples to support arguments and demonstrate points�
be considered as memorized? Don�t you think that an examiner can reduce the score
because of this?
REPLY

Magoosh Test Prep Expert November 25, 2018 at 6:52 pm #

Hi Zara,

It�s perfectly acceptable to create a template to help you craft your essay. You
wouldn�t necessarily lose points because the examiner will think that your essay is
memorized; rather, you would lose points because you aren�t being specific. You
should always personalize the template to the prompt given. If you replace �this
issue� with something specific to the prompt, and provide 1-2 concrete points that
you will discuss, then this could be a good opening sentence. You want to avoid
language that is too vague and general.

REPLY

Ham March 14, 2019 at 10:18 am #

Is it okay to write the whole essay in the draft then copy it to my answer sheet,
because that�s what I am used to. Or should I write only the main ideas.

REPLY

Magoosh Test Prep Expert April 1, 2019 at 6:51 pm #

Hi Ham,

I think if this is what you�re used to, then it might be okay. However, keep in
mind that you must write your entire response on the answer sheet before time runs
out. If you have to copy an entire essay, then it might take too long! My
recommendation would be to make an outline for your essay separately, and to
directly write your essay on the answer sheet. ?? You might find this blog post
helpful, if you haven�t seen it already!

REPLY

Alya Kalila March 16, 2019 at 1:17 am #

Hi Magoosh,
Thank you for your tips.

I have question regarded the government investment on visual arts-essay

in the statement, it is said: Government investment in the visual arts is a waste

of money.
in this statement, there is no information stating: (1)that the government is Local
government (2) that the money spent= large portion of government budget (it still
can be just a little amount of government budget)

but on your first sentence (paraphrase the task question) you mention many LOCAL
government�LARGE portion�

why is that OK to say that in your essay while in the statement those information
are not mentioned?

REPLY

David Recine April 9, 2019 at 8:48 am #

Great question, Ayla. Yes, you can specify local government when the question only
mentions government. When an IELTS Writing task describes something in broad terms,
you can choose to narrow down and specify the terms in your answer.

REPLY
Magoosh blog comment policy: To create the best experience for our readers, we will
only approve comments that are relevant to the article, general enough to be
helpful to other students, concise, and well-written! ?? Due to the high volume of
comments across all of our blogs, we cannot promise that all comments will receive
responses from our instructors.

We highly encourage students to help each other out and respond to other students'
comments if you can!

If you are a Premium Magoosh student and would like more personalized service from
our instructors, you can use the Help tab on the Magoosh dashboard. Thanks!

Leave a Reply

Name (required)

Email (will not be published) (required)

Website

Get a higher IELTS score! Start your online IELTS prep today with Magoosh.

free IELTS vocabulary flashcards from Magoosh - start studying!

Can you answer this IELTS writing prompt?
Recent Posts
IELTS Special Arrangements: Resources, Links, and Instructions
IELTS Podcast (Ep. 27) | 6 Useful Sentence Patterns to Improve Your IELTS Writing
IELTS Podcast (Ep. 26) | 3 Example IELTS Agree-Disagree Questions
IELTS Podcast (Ep. 25) | How to Prepare for IELTS Academic Speaking Episode
Free IELTS Practice Test
IELTS� is a registered trademark of University of Cambridge ESOL, the British
Council, and IDP Education Australia.

View our privacy policy.

� 2019 Magoosh IELTS Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Share
11
Tweet
Pin
6
Improve your IELTS scoreYes, show me how!