Task 2 · Build the essay · Step 4
Give the second body paragraph a new and necessary job. It may extend your position, explain the other view, answer the second instruction or complete the essay judgement.
Official format and WeLearn strategy
Official format: IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 requires a connected response of at least 250 words. It does not prescribe a Body 2 length, a mandatory contrast sentence or a fixed four-paragraph structure.
WeLearn strategy: WeLearn uses a frequent four-paragraph architecture and an 80–110-word Body 2 study target. The paragraph job changes according to the instruction and may continue, contrast, answer or evaluate.
Review focus: Add the next required idea while keeping the complete response relevant, developed and logically connected.
Explained answer: Body 2 must do more than repeat Body 1. Trace its controlling idea to the remaining instruction, thesis or judgement, and avoid invented evidence.
Sentence Lego · Body 2
The labels keep progression visible. Discussion needs contrast and evaluation; a solution paragraph needs implementation and an expected result; direct questions need an explicit second answer.
Adds a distinct reason or acknowledges the strongest objection.
Makes the new reason or objection precise.
Explains the reason or limits the objection without changing position.
Makes the reasoning concrete.
Returns explicitly to the thesis.
Five question families
Select a family to see whether the paragraph should continue, contrast, solve, evaluate or answer.
Instruction signal: To what extent do you agree or disagree? / Do you agree or disagree?
Body 2 function: Body 2 must extend the stated position with a genuinely distinct reason, or acknowledge and rebut the strongest opposing point without weakening the thesis.
Planning question: What second idea adds new support, or what objection can I answer fairly?
Common trap
Repeating Body 1 with different vocabulary.
Watch one · then do four
The example first makes progression visible; the workshop then asks you to supply the second paragraph logic yourself.
Some people believe that schools place too much pressure on students to achieve high grades. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Body 2 job: Add a second reason for agreement by showing how constant grade pressure can narrow students' motivation.
A second concern is that constant grade pressure can replace curiosity with fear of failure.
Adds a distinct reason or acknowledges the strongest objection.Students may begin to choose only tasks that protect their marks instead of attempting demanding work.
Makes the new reason or objection precise.Consequently, the system rewards caution rather than the intellectual risk needed for genuine progress.
Explains the reason or limits the objection without changing position.For instance, a capable pupil may avoid an unfamiliar research topic because a predictable project appears safer.
Makes the reasoning concrete.This loss of independent motivation further supports reducing excessive emphasis on grades.
Returns explicitly to the thesis.A second concern is that constant grade pressure can replace curiosity with fear of failure.Students may begin to choose only tasks that protect their marks instead of attempting demanding work.Consequently, the system rewards caution rather than the intellectual risk needed for genuine progress.For instance, a capable pupil may avoid an unfamiliar research topic because a predictable project appears safer.This loss of independent motivation further supports reducing excessive emphasis on grades.
Precision check: Repeating the durable-learning argument from Body 1 instead of adding a distinct reason.
The model remains hidden until you choose a distinct controlling idea and write all four development blocks.
Governments should spend more money on public transport than on new roads. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Body 2 job: Add a second reason for prioritising public transport by explaining its wider access benefits.
WeLearn progressive engine
Move from recognising the second paragraph job to completing a full timed response without losing progression.
Level 1 of 8
What is the function of the mechanism or rebuttal block?
This broader access can connect whole communities to employment, education and healthcare.
Frequently asked questions
No. It may add a second reason, explain the second view, propose solutions, develop the opposite side or answer the second direct question.
Not necessarily. The logical relationship should be clear, but a meaningful controlling sentence is more important than a mechanical numbered connector.
It can contrast with Body 1 when the task requires two views or two sides. The writer’s thesis and final judgement must nevertheless remain consistent.
IELTS sets no paragraph limit. WeLearn uses roughly 80–110 words as a flexible study target inside a complete response of at least 250 words.