IELTS Writing Task 2 requires you to write an essay of at least 250 words in 40 minutes. It's worth more marks than Task 1 and demands a clear argument, well-organised paragraphs, and accurate language. Here's everything you need to know to reach band 7 or higher.
Understand the Criteria
IELTS Writing Task 2 is marked on four equally-weighted criteria:
- Task Response — Did you fully address all parts of the question and present a clear position?
- Coherence and Cohesion — Is your essay logically organised with clear progression between ideas?
- Lexical Resource — Do you use a wide and accurate range of vocabulary?
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Do you use a variety of sentence structures correctly?
To reach band 7, you need to perform well across all four — not just one or two.
Planning Your Essay
40 minutes goes quickly. Use this time allocation to stay on track:
Planning (5 minutes)
Read the prompt carefully, identify every component of the question, brainstorm your main ideas, and outline your essay structure before you write a single sentence.
Writing (30 minutes)
- Introduction (4 minutes): Paraphrase the question in your own words and state your thesis clearly
- Body paragraphs (20 minutes): Write 2–3 paragraphs, each focused on a single main idea with supporting examples — roughly 6–7 minutes per paragraph
- Conclusion (3–4 minutes): Summarise your main argument without introducing any new information
Checking (5 minutes)
Proofread for spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, and whether you've fully addressed every part of the question.
Tips for Success
- Meet the word count — Write at least 250 words, but prioritise quality over quantity
- Address every part of the question — Missing a component of the prompt will significantly lower your Task Response score
- Vary your vocabulary and sentence structures — Repetition hurts your Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range scores
- Use cohesive devices — Words like however, furthermore, as a result, and in contrast improve your Coherence and Cohesion score
- Practise regularly — Familiarity with different question types (opinion, discussion, problem-solution, two-part) lets you adapt quickly on test day
Example Question and Model Answer
Prompt: Some people think that the best way to increase road safety is to increase the minimum legal age for driving cars or riding motorbikes. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Model response summary: The essay argues that while raising the minimum driving age may contribute marginally to road safety, it is not sufficient on its own. A comprehensive approach combining better driver education, stricter enforcement, and graduated licensing systems is necessary to meaningfully reduce accidents. The essay addresses all parts of the task, presents a clear position, develops arguments with specific examples, acknowledges counterarguments, and uses cohesive language throughout.
Final Thoughts
Achieving band 7+ in IELTS Writing Task 2 comes down to three things: understanding the criteria deeply, planning your response carefully, and practising with feedback consistently. Every essay you write is an opportunity to refine your approach.
Want instant feedback on your IELTS writing? Gabble evaluates your Task 2 essays against real IELTS criteria and shows you your band level across all four categories. Practise Writing Task 2 →