IELTS

Writing Task 2

Use the following table to help you brainstorm ideas.

1. Question 2. Type of answer 3. Grammar
A – Cities
I. Why do people prefer to live reasons/ advantages present simple
in cities?

II. How should cities be make suggestions modals (should/

designed? might/ may, etc.)
future
B – Air pollution
I. What are the main causes of causes present simple
air pollution? past simple

II. What steps can we take to solutions future

reduce it?
C – Education
I. How important is a university opinion present simple
education? future

II. How has education changed make comparison present perfect

over the years? between past/ present – used to
talk about change. past simple
D – Tourism
I. What are the benefits of advantages/ present simple
tourism for the individual and disadvantages future
society?
conditional
II. How does tourism affect the cause/ effect comparatives
environment?
Jakeman, V. & McDowell, C. (2008) New Insight to IELTS CUP (p.122)
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Writing Task 2

D – Tourism Stage two – Edit your ideas. Can you identify a main idea
Stage one - brainstorm ideas and its supporting ideas? You only need one/ two main
What are the benefits of tourism for the ideas with two supporting ideas.
individual and society? (advantages/
disadvantages)
1. Main idea:

Supporting idea:

Supporting idea:

2. Main idea:

Support idea:

Supporting idea:

How does tourism affect the environment? (cause/ effect)

Stage two – Edit your ideas. Can you identify a main idea
and its supporting ideas? You only need one/ two main
ideas with two supporting ideas.

1. Main idea:

Supporting idea:

Supporting idea:

2. Main idea:

Support idea:

Supporting idea:
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Writing Task 2

C – Education Stage two – Edit your ideas. Can you identify a main idea
Stage one - brainstorm ideas and its supporting ideas? You only need one/ two main
How important is a university education? (opinion) ideas with two supporting ideas.

1. Main idea:

Supporting idea:

Supporting idea:

2. Main idea:

Support idea:

Supporting idea:

How has education changed over the years?

(make comparison between past/ present – talk Stage two – Edit your ideas. Can you identify a main idea
about change) and its supporting ideas? You only need one/ two main
ideas with two supporting ideas.

1. Main idea:

Supporting idea:

Supporting idea:

2. Main idea:

Support idea:

Supporting idea:
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Writing Task 2

B – Air Pollution Stage two – Edit your ideas. Can you identify a main idea
Stage one - brainstorm ideas and its supporting ideas? You only need one/ two main
What are the main causes of air pollution? (causes) ideas with two supporting ideas.

1. Main idea:

Supporting idea:

Supporting idea:

2. Main idea:

Support idea:

Supporting idea:

What steps can we take to reduce it?

(solutions) Stage two – Edit your ideas. Can you identify a main idea
and its supporting ideas? You only need one/ two main
ideas with two supporting ideas.

1. Main idea:

Supporting idea:

Supporting idea:

2. Main idea:

Support idea:

Supporting idea:
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Writing Task 2

A – Cities Stage two – Edit your ideas. Can you identify a main idea
Stage one - brainstorm ideas and its supporting ideas? You only need one/ two main
Why do people prefer to live in cities? ideas with two supporting ideas.
(reasons/ advantages)

1. Main idea:

Supporting idea:

Supporting idea:

2. Main idea:

Support idea:

Supporting idea:

How should cities be designed?

(make suggestions) Stage two – Edit your ideas. Can you identify a main idea
and its supporting ideas? You only need one/ two main
ideas with two supporting ideas.

1. Main idea:

Supporting idea:

Supporting idea:

2. Main idea:

Support idea:

Supporting idea:
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Writing Task 2

Introduction: _____________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________

Body paragraph 1:
Main idea: _______________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________

Supporting idea 1: _________________________________

________________________________________________
________________________________________________

Supporting idea 2: _________________________________

________________________________________________
________________________________________________

Body paragraph 2:
Main idea: _______________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________

Supporting idea 1: _________________________________

________________________________________________
________________________________________________]

Supporting idea 2: _________________________________

________________________________________________
________________________________________________
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Writing Task 2

Body paragraph 3:
Main idea: _______________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________

Supporting idea 1: _________________________________

________________________________________________
________________________________________________

Supporting idea 2: _________________________________

________________________________________________
________________________________________________

Conclusion: ______________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
 IELTS
Writing Task 2

Task 2 Self-evaluation checklist Yes / No

I highlighted the keywords in the question Y/N
I have addressed all parts of the question. Y/N
My introduction paraphrases the question. Y/N
I decided on my position/ view and have made this Y/N
clear throughout the essay.
I’ve discussed both sides of the argument but I’ve Y/N
clearly stated by point of view.
I have at least two main ideas for each side of the
argument. Y/N
I have supported each main idea with an example/
extra information. Y/N
My paragraphs are clearly written and start with a Y/N
topic sentence.
Each paragraph contains one main idea. Y/N
Each paragraph has a logical link to the next Y/N
I have linked my ideas within each paragraph using Y/N
linking words.
I have used a variety of topic related vocabulary and
avoided repetition. Y/N
I have used simple and complex sentence structures. Y/N
I have used a range of appropriate grammatical
structures. Y/N
I have checked my work for spelling errors. Y/N
I have checked my work for grammatical and Y/N
punctuation errors.
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Writing Task 2

Practise writing thesis statements

A thesis statement is often made up of three different parts.

1. Identification (What is the topic you are talking about?)

2. Claim (What do you believe about the topic?)
3. Direction (What are the the main reasons you can support your claim? This will basically outline
the body paragraphs of your essay.)

We live in a world of technology these days. While the internet brings with
it clear advantages, the problems in terms of control and security of
information outweigh the advantages. To what extent do you agree?
Identification - topic Claim – what you believe Direction –reasons you believe
your claim is true

Internet Has enhanced the lives of - Helps cut down on

people overall crime
- Sharing information
can be useful too

Thesis: With an increasing digital presence in our lives, concerns about

citizens’ privacy are valid. In my view, this pales in comparison to the
positives that surveillance offers, including the convenience offered and its
role in detecting crime.

Space exploration is much too expensive and the money should be spent on
more important things. What is your opinion?
Identification - topic Claim – what you believe Direction –reasons you believe
your claim is true

Thesis:
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Writing Task 2

Computers are being used more and more in education and so there will
soon be no role for the teacher in education. To what extent do you agree?
Identification - topic Claim – what you believe Direction –reasons you
believe your claim is true

Thesis:

Studying the English language in an-speaking country is the best but not
the only way to learn the language. Do you agree or disagree with this
statement?

Identification - topic Claim – what you believe Direction –reasons you

believe your claim is true

Thesis: