IELTS Task 2: 5 Essay Types and How to Write Each

Every IELTS Task 2 question falls into one of five types. Each type requires a different structure, a different kind of position statement, and a different approach to the body paragraphs.

Candidates who use the same structure for every question lose marks on Task Achievement — because they are not answering the question that was asked. Knowing how to identify the question type and respond with the right structure is one of the fastest ways to improve your score.

This guide covers all five types with a clear template for each, an example outline, and tips for recognising which type you are facing on exam day.

How to Identify the Essay Type

The question type is determined by the instruction at the end of the prompt. Look for these key phrases:

Key Phrase	Essay Type
"To what extent do you agree or disagree?"	Opinion
"Discuss both views and give your own opinion."	Discussion
"What are the advantages and disadvantages?"	Advantage/Disadvantage
"What are the causes/problems? What solutions?"	Problem-Solution
Two separate questions about the same topic	Two-Part Question

Read the instruction carefully. Misidentifying the question type is one of the most common — and most costly — mistakes in Task 2.

Type 1: Opinion Essay (Agree/Disagree)

Typical question: Some people believe that children should not be given homework. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Structure

Introduction (2-3 sentences):

• Paraphrase the topic
• State your position clearly (agree, disagree, or partially agree)

Body Paragraph 1 (your main argument):

• Strongest reason for your position
• Developed with claim → explanation → evidence

Body Paragraph 2 (your second argument):

• Second reason for your position
• OR: If you partially agree, this is where you present the other side

Conclusion (2-3 sentences):

• Restate your position
• Summarise your key reasons

Example Outline

Position: I largely disagree — homework develops essential study skills.

Body 1: Homework builds independent learning habits that are critical for academic success. Students who complete regular homework develop time management and self-discipline that carry into higher education. Research from the University of Oviedo found that students who spent 60-90 minutes on homework daily outperformed peers by one full grade level.

Body 2: However, excessive homework can be counterproductive, particularly for younger children. Primary school students benefit more from play-based learning and family time. The key is moderation — homework should reinforce learning without overwhelming students.

For a detailed guide on writing your position statement, see how to write a clear IELTS position statement.

Type 2: Discussion Essay (Discuss Both Views)

Typical question: Some people think that public transport should be free, while others believe users should pay for it. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Structure

Introduction (2-3 sentences):

• Paraphrase both views
• State which view you favour

Body Paragraph 1 (View A):

• Present the first view fairly
• Develop with explanation and evidence
• You do NOT need to agree with this view

Body Paragraph 2 (View B — your preferred view):

• Present the second view
• Develop more fully (since this is the view you support)
• Include your strongest evidence here

Conclusion (2-3 sentences):

• Acknowledge both views briefly
• Restate your preference with the key reason

Key Rule

You MUST discuss both views. An essay that only addresses one view — even if it is brilliantly argued — will lose marks on Task Achievement because it does not answer the question. Give fair treatment to both sides, then clearly state your preference.

Example Outline

Position: While free public transport has clear environmental benefits, I believe a subsidised model is more sustainable.

Body 1 (free transport view): Removing fares would increase ridership, reduce car use, and improve air quality. Cities like Luxembourg, which made all public transport free in 2020, have seen increased bus and tram usage.

Body 2 (subsidised model): However, free transport creates funding challenges that threaten service quality. Without fare revenue, cities must either raise taxes or cut services. A subsidised model — where fares are reduced rather than eliminated — encourages ridership while maintaining a revenue stream for infrastructure investment.

Type 3: Advantage/Disadvantage Essay

Typical question: More and more people are choosing to work from home. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?

Structure

Introduction (2-3 sentences):

• Paraphrase the topic
• State whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages (or vice versa), or indicate a balanced view

Body Paragraph 1 (Advantages):

• 2 advantages, each with brief development
• OR: 1 fully developed advantage

Body Paragraph 2 (Disadvantages):

• 2 disadvantages, each with brief development
• OR: 1 fully developed disadvantage

Conclusion (2-3 sentences):

• Summarise the balance
• State your final position (which side outweighs the other)

Key Rule

You must cover BOTH advantages and disadvantages. If the question says "Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?" you must also state your position clearly.

Example Outline

Position: While remote work offers significant flexibility, the disadvantages — particularly for team cohesion — are increasingly difficult to ignore.

Body 1 (Advantages): Flexibility and reduced commuting time. Workers can structure their day around personal commitments, and eliminating commutes saves an average of 40 minutes daily.

Body 2 (Disadvantages): Social isolation and weakened team dynamics. A Stanford study found that fully remote workers reported 50% more feelings of isolation, and companies with all-remote teams experienced higher employee turnover.

Type 4: Problem-Solution Essay

Typical question: In many countries, young people are finding it increasingly difficult to find employment. What are the causes of this problem, and what measures can be taken to solve it?

Structure

Introduction (2-3 sentences):

• Paraphrase the problem
• Briefly indicate the main causes and solutions you will discuss

Body Paragraph 1 (Causes):

• 2 main causes, each explained clearly
• Develop with evidence where possible

Body Paragraph 2 (Solutions):

• 2 solutions, each addressing a cause from Paragraph 1
• Explain how each solution works

Conclusion (2-3 sentences):

• Summarise the connection between causes and solutions
• End with a forward-looking statement

Key Rule

Your solutions should address the causes you identified. If you say the problem is caused by A and B, your solutions should fix A and B — not introduce unrelated solutions C and D.

Example Outline

Body 1 (Causes): The mismatch between university curricula and employer needs, combined with the disappearance of entry-level positions due to automation.

Body 2 (Solutions): Universities should partner with industries to create work-integrated learning programmes. Governments should incentivise companies to create apprenticeship positions that combine training with employment.

Type 5: Two-Part Question

Typical question: Many people today prefer to read news online rather than in newspapers. Why is this the case? Is this a positive or negative development?

Structure

Introduction (2-3 sentences):

• Paraphrase the topic
• Briefly answer both questions

Body Paragraph 1 (Question 1):

• Answer the first question fully
• 2 reasons with development

Body Paragraph 2 (Question 2):

• Answer the second question fully
• 2 reasons with development

Conclusion (2-3 sentences):

• Summarise your answers to both questions

Key Rule

You MUST answer both parts. Spending the entire essay on the first question and barely addressing the second is a common mistake that directly lowers your Task Achievement score. Allocate roughly equal space to each question.

Example Outline

Body 1 (Why?): Convenience and immediacy — smartphones allow instant access to breaking news anywhere. Also, online platforms offer personalised content through algorithms.

Body 2 (Positive or negative?): Largely positive because it democratises access to information. However, the spread of unverified content is a significant drawback that requires digital literacy education to counterbalance.

How to Practise All Five Types

1. Collect 10 past IELTS questions — two for each type
2. Identify the type before reading the question fully
3. Plan the structure (3 minutes) — write your introduction and body paragraph topic sentences
4. Write the full essay (37 minutes) — follow the template for that type
5. Review — did you answer every part of the question?

For guidance on developing the arguments within these structures, see how to develop a strong IELTS argument. For detailed essay guides, explore our guides on Opinion essays and Discussion essays.

Quick Reference: Structure Templates at a Glance

Type	Introduction	Body 1	Body 2	Conclusion
Opinion	Position + reason	Main argument	2nd argument or counterargument	Restate position
Discussion	Both views + preference	View A (fair treatment)	View B (your preferred, more developed)	Preference + reason
Advantage/Disadvantage	Topic + balance	Advantages	Disadvantages	Overall judgment
Problem-Solution	Problem summary	Causes	Solutions (matching causes)	Forward-looking
Two-Part	Both answers briefly	Answer Q1	Answer Q2	Summary of both

Practice Any Essay Type

Submit a Task 2 essay and get detailed feedback on your structure, argument development, and how well you addressed the question — scored across all four criteria.

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