Sub-skill 1
Task 2 is not marked on how much you know about the topic. It is marked on whether you answered the question that was asked. Every prompt ends with an instruction that says exactly what to produce, and the whole shape of the essay follows from it. Study the five instructions, then practise on ten prompts — four of which are written to be misread.
Official format: IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 asks for an essay of at least 250 words in response to a question. The labels opinion, discussion, problem and solution, advantages and disadvantages, and direct questions are WeLearn teaching categories, not official IELTS names.
WeLearn strategy: We train type identification because the most expensive mistake in Task 2 is answering a question the prompt did not ask.
Review focus: Reading the instruction at the end of the prompt before choosing a structure.
Explained answer: The type is decided by the final instruction, never by the topic and never by how many views appear in the prompt.
IELTS Writing Task 2 question types
Writing Task 2 Lego system
Addition: moreover, furthermore, in addition, likewise
Contrast: however, nevertheless, whereas, by contrast
Cause: because, since, as a result of, due to
Result: therefore, consequently, hence, as a result
Example: for example, for instance, such as, this can be seen in
Concession: although, even though, despite this, admittedly
Conclusion: overall, in conclusion, ultimately, for these reasons
General premise
When children spend most of their free time online, they have fewer opportunities to practise face-to-face communication.
Specific case
For example, a teenager who studies and socialises mainly through a screen may avoid group activities at school.
Logical conclusion
As a result, excessive screen time can weaken social confidence rather than simply change the medium of interaction.
Claim sentence
Presents the central point of the paragraph.
Public transport is a more efficient use of urban space than private cars.
Complex cause sentence
Explains why something happens using because, since, as or due to.
Because buses carry many passengers in limited space, they reduce congestion more effectively than road expansion.
Concession sentence
Acknowledges an objection without abandoning your position.
Although road construction may relieve traffic temporarily, it often encourages more car use in the long term.
Result sentence
Closes a logical chain with therefore, as a result or consequently.
Consequently, governments should prioritise mass transit when planning urban infrastructure.
Before you practise
What does the final instruction want me to produce — a position, two views, a diagnosis and a response, both sides of one thing, or answers to two separate questions? Everything else in the prompt is topic.
Opinion
To what extent do you agree or disagree? / Do you agree or disagree?
State and maintain a clear position on the proposition. A qualified position is possible, but it must remain easy to identify.
Most common misread: Writing a discussion essay that presents both sides but never answers the extent question.
Discussion
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Represent both positions fairly and make the writer's own view clear.
Most common misread: Mentioning both views but postponing any identifiable opinion until the final sentence of the essay.
Problem & solution
What are the causes/problems? What measures/solutions can be taken?
Identify the requested causes or problems and propose solutions that directly address them. Some prompts request only one of these combinations.
Most common misread: Memorising a causes-and-solutions template when the actual prompt asks for problems and measures, or causes and effects.
Advantages & disadvantages
What are the advantages and disadvantages? / Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Cover both sides. If the prompt asks whether one side outweighs the other, make and support that judgement.
Most common misread: Using “outweigh” language when the prompt asks only for both sides, or failing to decide when it explicitly asks for an evaluation.
Direct questions
A topic followed by two distinct questions, often beginning with why, what, how or do you think.
Identify every question and ensure that each receives a visible answer and adequate development.
Most common misread: Writing generally about the topic and overlooking one of the two questions.