IELTS Writing Process 2: The Full Information (2026)
IELTS Writing Process 2 is a 40-minute essay the place you reply to some extent of view, argument, or downside. You have to write at the least 250 phrases. This activity counts for two-thirds of your complete Writing rating, making it crucial a part of the Writing part.
You will note one in all 5 query varieties: opinion, dialogue, benefits/disadvantages, causes/options, or two-part questions. Success requires understanding how examiners rating your essay and training every query kind with a transparent construction.
This information covers the whole lot it is advisable learn about Process 2, with hyperlinks to detailed assets for every subject.
What Is IELTS Writing Process 2?
IELTS Writing Process 2 is an essay activity that seems in each the Educational and Normal Coaching variations of the check. The duty is an identical for each variations.
Listed here are the important thing details:
| Facet | Particulars |
|---|---|
| Time | 40 minutes |
| Minimal size | 250 phrases |
| Format | Essay (introduction, physique paragraphs, conclusion) |
| Rating weight | Two-thirds of your Writing rating |
| Query varieties | 5 varieties (opinion, dialogue, benefits/disadvantages, causes/options, two-part) |
You’ll obtain an announcement or query a few normal subject. Subjects embody schooling, expertise, well being, atmosphere, society, and work. You don’t want specialised data. The examiners wish to see how effectively you possibly can manage and specific your concepts in English.
Process 2 is value twice as a lot as Process 1. Many college students spend an excessive amount of time on Process 1 and rush by way of Process 2. It is a mistake. Intention to spend not more than 20 minutes on Process 1, leaving 40 full minutes for Process 2.
Professional tip: Write Process 2 first when you battle with time administration. This ensures your higher-weighted activity will get your full consideration.
How IELTS Writing Process 2 Is Scored
Examiners rating your essay on 4 standards. Every criterion is value 25% of your Process 2 rating.
| Criterion | What Examiners Look For |
|---|---|
| Process Response | Did you absolutely reply the query? Did you develop your concepts with examples? |
| Coherence and Cohesion | Is your essay organized logically? Do your paragraphs move easily? |
| Lexical Useful resource | Do you employ a spread of vocabulary precisely? Are you able to paraphrase successfully? |
| Grammatical Vary and Accuracy | Do you employ quite a lot of sentence buildings? Are your sentences error-free? |
What Separates Band 6, 7, and eight
Understanding the distinction between band scores helps you goal your enhancements.
Band 6 essays:
- Handle the duty however could not absolutely develop all factors
- Have a transparent construction however linking could also be mechanical (“Firstly… Secondly… Lastly…”)
- Use sufficient vocabulary with some errors
- Combine easy and complicated sentences with noticeable errors
Band 7 essays:
- Current a transparent place all through the response
- Set up concepts logically with clear development
- Use much less frequent vocabulary with consciousness of fashion
- Use quite a lot of advanced buildings with good management
Band 8 essays:
- Reply to all components of the duty with absolutely prolonged, well-developed concepts
- Sequence info and concepts skillfully
- Use a variety of vocabulary fluently and exactly
- Use a variety of buildings with full flexibility and accuracy
The largest leap for many college students is from Band 6 to Band 7. This requires transferring past fundamental essay formulation and creating concepts with particular examples.
For the official band descriptors, go to ielts.org.
Professional tip: The distinction between Band 6 and Band 7 typically comes all the way down to specificity. As a substitute of writing “this will trigger many issues,” clarify precisely what issues and why they matter.
The 5 IELTS Writing Process 2 Query Varieties
Each Process 2 query falls into one in all 5 classes. Every kind requires a barely totally different method.
1. Opinion (Agree/Disagree)
Instance immediate: Some folks imagine that kids ought to begin studying a overseas language at main college. Others suppose they need to wait till secondary college. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
For this sort, you should give your opinion clearly and assist it all through the essay. You possibly can absolutely agree, absolutely disagree, or partially agree.
See our full information: IELTS Agree/Disagree Pattern Essay
2. Dialogue (Each Views)
Instance immediate: Some folks suppose that governments ought to spend money on public transportation. Others imagine that cash must be spent on constructing extra roads. Focus on each views and provides your opinion.
You have to talk about each views earlier than giving your personal opinion. Failing to deal with each side will harm your Process Response rating.
See our full information: IELTS Dialogue Pattern Essay
3. Benefits and Disadvantages
Instance immediate: Many individuals now do business from home fairly than in an workplace. What are the benefits and downsides of this pattern?
Some variations ask you to additionally give your opinion on whether or not benefits outweigh disadvantages. Learn the immediate fastidiously.
See our full information: IELTS Benefits/Disadvantages Pattern Essay
4. Causes and Options (Downside/Resolution)
Instance immediate: In lots of nations, weight problems is turning into a significant well being downside. What are the causes of this pattern, and what options are you able to counsel?
You have to tackle each components equally. Don’t spend your whole essay on causes with just one sentence about options.
See our full information: IELTS Causes/Options Pattern Essay
5. Two-Half Questions
Instance immediate: Many younger folks as we speak go away their residence nation to work overseas. Why is that this taking place? Is that this a constructive or unfavourable growth?
These questions have two distinct components. Reply each clearly. Set up your essay so every half has devoted paragraphs.
For a whole breakdown of all 5 varieties with instance prompts, see our information to IELTS Writing Process 2 Query Varieties.
The way to Construction Your Essay
A transparent construction makes your essay simpler to learn and improves your Coherence and Cohesion rating.
Primary Essay Construction
Introduction (2-3 sentences)
- Paraphrase the query
- State your place or preview your details
Physique Paragraph 1 (4-6 sentences)
- Matter sentence stating your first primary level
- Clarification
- Particular instance
- Connection to the query
Physique Paragraph 2 (4-6 sentences)
- Matter sentence stating your second primary level
- Clarification
- Particular instance
- Connection to the query
Conclusion (2-3 sentences)
- Summarize your details
- Restate your place (if relevant)
For many query varieties, two physique paragraphs are enough. You possibly can write three when you have time and clear concepts, however two well-developed paragraphs rating larger than three underdeveloped ones.
Writing Sturdy Introductions
Your introduction ought to do two issues: present you perceive the query and preview your reply.
Keep away from memorized phrases like “In as we speak’s fashionable world” or “This essay will talk about.” These add nothing and waste phrases.
See our information: IELTS Writing Process 2 Introduction and Vocabulary
Creating Physique Paragraphs
Every physique paragraph wants a transparent subject sentence, supporting rationalization, and a selected instance.
Weak instance:
“Schooling is essential. It helps folks get jobs. Many individuals agree with this.”
Sturdy instance:
“Entry to larger schooling opens profession alternatives that may in any other case stay closed. A pupil from a low-income household who earns a college diploma positive aspects entry to skilled fields like drugs or engineering. With out that schooling, the identical pupil is likely to be restricted to minimum-wage positions no matter their talents.”
Discover the precise instance and the cause-effect reasoning.
See our full information: The way to Construction Physique Paragraphs
Utilizing Templates Correctly
Templates might help you manage your concepts, however don’t memorize whole essays. Examiners acknowledge memorized content material and can penalize it.
Use templates as a beginning framework, then adapt them to every particular query.
See our information: The Greatest IELTS Process 2 Writing Template
IELTS Writing Process 2 Suggestions
These methods will enable you maximize your rating.
Time Administration
- Spend 5 minutes planning earlier than you write
- Use half-hour writing your essay
- Save 5 minutes for overview and corrections
Many college students skip planning and begin writing instantly. This results in disorganized essays and wasted time restructuring midway by way of.
Vocabulary Methods
You don’t want uncommon or difficult phrases. You want correct phrases used appropriately.
Frequent vocabulary errors:
- Utilizing phrases you don’t absolutely perceive
- Repeating the identical phrase all through the essay
- Utilizing casual language (“children” as a substitute of “kids”)
Give attention to:
- Paraphrasing key phrases from the query
- Utilizing topic-specific vocabulary naturally
- Selecting exact phrases over imprecise ones (“useful” vs. “good”)
See our guides:
Linking Phrases and Cohesion
Linking phrases assist your essay move. Nevertheless, overusing them sounds mechanical.
Overused: “Firstly, I imagine schooling is essential. Secondly, it helps the economic system. Thirdly, it reduces crime. In conclusion, schooling is essential.”
Higher: “Schooling advantages people by increasing their profession choices. Past private development, widespread schooling additionally strengthens the broader economic system by way of a extra expert workforce.”
See our information: Linking Phrases for IELTS Writing Process 1 and Process 2
Frequent Errors to Keep away from
- Not answering the query — Learn the immediate twice. Determine precisely what it asks.
- Writing too little — Intention for 270-300 phrases. Below 250 phrases receives a penalty.
- Writing an excessive amount of — Greater than 300 phrases will increase error alternatives with out enhancing your rating.
- No clear place — For opinion questions, state your view clearly and keep it all through.
- Memorized phrases — Examiners acknowledge “nowadays” and related phrases.
Professional tip: After writing your conclusion, re-read the query. Verify that you simply truly answered what was requested, not what you needed to debate.
Latest IELTS Writing Process 2 Subjects [2025-2026]
IELTS attracts from a constant set of themes. Latest exams have featured these frequent subjects:
Schooling
- On-line studying vs. conventional school rooms
- College schooling: vital or overrated?
- Instructing sensible abilities vs. tutorial topics
Expertise
- Social media’s influence on communication
- Synthetic intelligence and employment
- Display time and youngsters’s growth
Surroundings
- Particular person vs. authorities duty for local weather motion
- Sustainable cities and transportation
- Wildlife conservation priorities
Work and Society
- Distant work: advantages and disadvantages
- Work-life stability challenges
- Age range within the office
Well being
- Psychological well being consciousness
- Healthcare system funding
- Way of life illnesses and prevention
You don’t want to memorize details about these subjects. Give attention to having opinions you possibly can assist with reasoning and examples.
Pattern Essays by Band Rating
Studying high-scoring essays helps you perceive what examiners need.
We now have pattern essays for every query kind:
When studying pattern essays, discover:
- How the introduction paraphrases the query
- How every physique paragraph develops one primary thought
- How examples assist normal statements
- How the conclusion summarizes with out introducing new concepts
The way to Put together for IELTS Writing Process 2
Create a Examine Plan
Constant observe issues greater than cramming. Intention to jot down 2-3 full essays per week underneath timed circumstances.
Every observe session ought to embody:
- Studying and analyzing the immediate (2 minutes)
- Planning your response (5 minutes)
- Writing the essay (half-hour)
- Reviewing for errors (5 minutes)
- Evaluating to pattern essays or getting suggestions
Get Suggestions on Your Writing
Self-study has limits. You want exterior suggestions to determine patterns in your errors.
Choices for suggestions:
- Skilled tutoring or essay grading providers
- Examine companions who can overview your work
- Magoosh IELTS Prep — consists of writing assessments with skilled suggestions
Apply with Life like Circumstances
Write by hand if you’ll take the paper-based check. Kind if you’ll take the computer-based check.
Time your self strictly. Don’t pause to search for vocabulary or test grammar guidelines throughout observe. You’ll not have these choices on check day.
One Ability Retake Possibility
If you happen to take IELTS on laptop and are sad with just one part rating, you possibly can retake simply that part inside 60 days. That is known as One Ability Retake and has been accessible since 2024.
This implies in case your Writing rating is decrease than anticipated however your different sections are sturdy, you don’t want to retake the whole check.
Professional tip: Take a free IELTS observe check to evaluate your present degree earlier than creating your research plan.
Steadily Requested Questions
What number of phrases ought to I write for Process 2?
The minimal is 250 phrases. Intention for 270-300 phrases. Writing considerably greater than 300 phrases will increase your possibilities of making errors with out enhancing your rating.
How lengthy do I’ve for Process 2?
You have got 60 minutes complete for each Writing duties. The beneficial cut up is 20 minutes for Process 1 and 40 minutes for Process 2.
Can I take advantage of bullet factors in Process 2?
No. Process 2 requires a proper essay with full paragraphs. Save bullet factors for Process 1 if wanted.
Do I lose factors for spelling errors?
Minor spelling errors is not going to considerably harm your rating. Nevertheless, frequent errors have an effect on your Lexical Useful resource rating. British and American spellings are each accepted.
What if I don’t end my essay?
An incomplete essay will obtain a decrease rating for Process Response. If you’re operating out of time, write a quick conclusion fairly than leaving the essay unfinished.
Is Process 2 the identical for Educational and Normal Coaching?
Sure. Each variations have the identical Process 2 format, timing, and scoring standards.
Subsequent Steps
- Determine your weakest space — Is it vocabulary, construction, or creating concepts?
- Examine the query varieties — Be sure you perceive what every kind requires
- Apply recurrently — Write at the least two timed essays per week
- Get suggestions — Use skilled grading or research companions
- Evaluate band descriptors — Know precisely what examiners search for at every degree
Good luck together with your IELTS preparation.
