How many words should IELTS Writing Task 2 be?

Minimum 250 words. Aim for 260–290. Less than 250 caps your Task Response score at 6.0 regardless of quality. More than 320 wastes time better spent on Task 1.

Can I use 'I' in IELTS Writing Task 2?

Yes, when the question asks for your opinion. Use 'I believe', 'In my view', 'Personally, I would argue' — but not in every sentence.

How long should I spend on Task 2?

40 minutes. Task 1 (20 mins) + Task 2 (40 mins) = 60 mins total. Task 2 is worth twice as many points as Task 1.

Can I practice IELTS Writing Task 2 with AI feedback?

Yes — speakonaut's IELTS Writing practice gives band-aligned scores on Task Response, Coherence, Lexical Resource, and Grammar after every submission.

IELTS guide

IELTS Writing Task 2 — structure for band 7+

Updated 29 May 2026 · 5 min read

Writing Task 2 is worth two-thirds of your IELTS Writing score. You get 40 minutes to write 250+ words in response to a prompt. Most candidates fail to hit band 7 because of one thing: weak structure. Band 7 requires clear paragraphing, a clear thesis, and topic sentences that signal what each paragraph is about.

This page gives you the 4-paragraph template that works for every Task 2 question type, with worked examples for opinion essays, discussion essays, and problem/solution essays.

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The 4-paragraph template (works for every question type)

Paragraph 1 — Introduction (50 words): - Sentence 1: Paraphrase the question. - Sentence 2: State your thesis (your position). - Sentence 3: Outline what you'll discuss.

Paragraph 2 — Main point 1 (90 words): - Sentence 1: Topic sentence (the main idea). - Sentence 2–3: Explanation. - Sentence 4: Example. - Sentence 5: Mini-conclusion.

Paragraph 3 — Main point 2 (90 words): Same structure as Paragraph 2.

Paragraph 4 — Conclusion (40 words): - Sentence 1: Restate thesis (different words). - Sentence 2: Summarize main points. - Sentence 3 (optional): Final thought or recommendation.

Total: 270 words. Hits all 4 IELTS Writing criteria if your grammar and vocabulary are at C1 level.

Opinion essays — full worked example

Question: 'Some people believe that university students should pay full tuition fees. Others think university should be free. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.'

Para 1: 'The question of who should fund higher education has long divided opinion. While some maintain that students should bear the full cost of their studies, others argue that university education should be entirely state-funded. This essay will examine both perspectives before arguing that a hybrid model is the most equitable solution.'

Para 2 (View 1): Topic sentence — 'Proponents of full tuition fees argue that...'

Para 3 (View 2 + opinion): Topic sentence — 'However, the opposing view holds that...' Close with your opinion.

Para 4: Restate hybrid-model thesis.

10 linking phrases band 7+ scorers actually use

Avoid 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'In conclusion' — every examiner has read 50 essays with those today. Use instead:

1. 'A central argument in favour of X is...' 2. 'Critics of this position contend that...' 3. 'A further consideration is...' 4. 'It is worth noting that...' 5. 'This perspective overlooks the fact that...' 6. 'By way of illustration...' 7. 'On balance, the evidence suggests...' 8. 'While not without merit, this argument fails to address...' 9. 'Conversely...' 10. 'For this reason...'

Use 3–4 of these per essay, not all 10.

Common mistakes that cap your score at 6.0

Writing less than 250 words (instant band 6.0 cap on Task Response). No clear thesis statement in the introduction. Topic sentences that don't introduce the paragraph's main idea. Repeating the question verbatim in the introduction. Using contractions ('don't', 'isn't') — IELTS Writing is formal. Listing without explaining ('There are many reasons. First X. Second Y. Third Z.').

Frequently asked questions

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