IELTS Academic · Writing · W2
IELTS Academic Writing Task 2: Academic Essay
IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 is an essay of at least 250 words, with about 40 minutes suggested. You respond to a point of view, argument or problem, for example by giving your opinion, discussing two views, or suggesting solutions. Your position must be clear and supported with explained reasons and relevant examples.
- Length
- At least 250 words
- Suggested time
- About 40 minutes (of the 60-minute Writing test)
- Essay types
- Opinion, discussion, problem and solution, advantages and disadvantages, two-part question
- Assessed on
- Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy
How it works
- 1Task 2 appears as a written prompt on the same 60-minute Writing timer as Task 1.
- 2You read the prompt and identify every part of the question.
- 3You type your essay; the word count updates as you write.
- 4When the timer ends, both tasks are submitted together.
Sample task
Original sample · not from an official test
Some universities now allow students to complete an entire degree online, without attending classes in person. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.
Show a strong responseHide response
Outline: Introduction: paraphrase the topic and state a clear position, e.g. the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for most, but not all, subjects. Body 1: advantages, wider access for working adults and people far from campuses, with a specific example. Body 2: disadvantages, fewer lab and hands-on opportunities and weaker peer networks; explain why these matter less for theory-based subjects. Conclusion: restate the position and its limit.
The question asks you to weigh the two sides, so a strong essay does not just list pros and cons; it says which side is stronger and why. Keeping the same position from introduction to conclusion supports Task Response and coherence.
Tips that work
- Spend 5 minutes planning: underline each part of the question and decide your position before you write.
- Give each body paragraph one main idea, explain it, then support it with a specific example.
- Answer the exact question. 'Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?' needs a judgement, not only a list.
- Save about 3 minutes to check subject-verb agreement, articles and sentence boundaries.
Common mistakes
- Changing position between the introduction and the conclusion.
- Answering only one part of a two-part question.
- Using memorised phrases that do not fit the topic.
Questions candidates ask
Is 250 words a strict minimum?
Yes. The task asks for at least 250 words, and an essay that falls short is likely to be marked down. Most candidates aim for somewhere around 260–300 words so they have space to develop ideas without running out of time.
Should I do Task 2 before Task 1?
You may work on the tasks in either order, as they share one 60-minute timer. Many candidates start with Task 2 because it is longer, but only if they will still leave about 20 minutes for Task 1.
Can I get feedback on my Task 2 essay?
Yes. Each essay you submit on EnglishHub gets AI feedback on the four Writing criteria, with comments on your position, paragraphing and language. Treat it as a practice estimate; only an official test gives an IELTS score.
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