IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 asks for an essay responding to a point of view, argument or problem. The official guidance says to write at least 250 words in about 40 minutes. Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score.
This guide was source-verified on 8 August 2026 against the official IELTS test format, preparation resources and public Writing band descriptors.
What is fixed and what is not
The official requirements are:
- complete both Writing tasks within 60 minutes;
- write at least 250 words for Task 2;
- respond in connected text, not notes or bullet points;
- answer the specific task rather than writing generally about the topic;
- use an academic or semi-formal style for Academic Task 2; and
- have the response assessed on four equally weighted criteria within the task.
There is no official rule requiring exactly four paragraphs, a fixed word target above 250, or a five-type question taxonomy. Labels such as “opinion”, “discussion”, “advantages and disadvantages”, “problem and solution”, and “two-part question” are useful planning shortcuts, but the command words in the actual prompt control what must be answered.
The four criteria and their weighting
Each task is scored independently. Within Task 2, these four criteria are weighted equally:
- Task Response: how fully the response answers the task, how relevant the ideas are, how clearly the position is presented, and how well main ideas are extended and supported.
- Coherence and Cohesion: organisation, logical development, paragraphing and the ways ideas and language are linked.
- Lexical Resource: vocabulary range, precision, appropriacy, spelling and word formation.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: the range and appropriacy of sentence structures, grammatical accuracy and punctuation.
“Task 2 is worth two-thirds” and “each criterion is 25%” describe different levels of the calculation. Task 2 carries twice the weight of Task 1 in the Writing score; within each task, its four criteria are equally weighted.
Reading the descriptors without shortcuts
Band descriptors describe the whole response. They are not promises that one technique will produce a band.
- For Task Response, official IELTS preparation guidance distinguishes a directly relevant position at Band 6 from a clear and developed position at Band 7 or above. At Band 7, main ideas should also be extended and supported as appropriate.
- For Coherence and Cohesion, the official guidance describes clear overall progression at Band 6 and logical organisation with clear progression throughout at Band 7. Paragraphs are expected for Task 2 at Band 6 and above, but IELTS does not prescribe a fixed paragraph count.
- For Lexical Resource, range, precision, appropriacy, collocation, spelling and word formation all matter. Uncommon vocabulary does not compensate for inaccurate use.
- For Grammatical Range and Accuracy, examiners consider both range and control. Official guidance says a range of sentence forms matters at Band 6 or above; at Band 7, remaining errors should not impede communication.
Avoid unofficial claims such as “one spelling mistake loses a band”, “every paragraph needs exactly one idea”, or “a memorised phrase guarantees Band 7”. The descriptors do not support those rules.
Prompt-to-plan decision tree
- What is the topic boundary? Underline the specific subject, population, place or time frame. Do not answer a broader issue.
- How many instructions are present? Circle every command: discuss, explain, compare, give reasons, suggest solutions, agree or disagree.
- Is your position requested?
- Yes: write it in one direct sentence and keep it consistent.
- No: decide what conclusion or organising claim will guide the response.
- Can each planned main idea answer one instruction?
- No: replace or narrow it.
- Yes: add an explanation and relevant support.
- Does the paragraph order create a logical path to the conclusion?
- No: reorder before drafting.
- Yes: write, then check that each sentence serves that path.
Worked essay-planning example
Consider this practice prompt:
Some people think cities should spend more money on public transport than on building new roads. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Step 1: Decode the task
- Topic boundary: city transport budgets; public transport compared with new roads.
- Command: state the extent of agreement and support it.
- Position: largely agree, while allowing targeted road projects where public transport cannot solve the problem.
Step 2: Build the logic
- Body paragraph 1 claim: better public transport can move more people within limited urban space.
- Explanation: frequent, reliable services can reduce dependence on individual cars.
- Example: a bus-priority corridor can carry commuters without adding another general-traffic lane.
- Link to position: this supports giving public transport the larger budget share.
- Body paragraph 2 claim: some road spending remains necessary, but it should be targeted.
- Explanation: emergency access, unsafe junctions and freight bottlenecks may need physical road changes.
- Example: redesigning a dangerous intersection is different from routinely expanding road capacity.
- Link to position: the exception qualifies “largely agree” without reversing it.
Step 3: Draft a controlled introduction
“Although road upgrades are necessary in specific cases, I largely agree that cities should prioritise public transport because it uses scarce urban space more efficiently and can reduce car dependence.”
This sentence answers the extent question and previews the controlling logic. It does not need decorative vocabulary.
Step 4: Check the conclusion
The conclusion should match the same qualified position. If it says that cities should stop all road building, the position has changed.
A flexible 40-minute workflow
IELTS recommends about 40 minutes, not a mandatory minute-by-minute split. A workable starting plan is:
- First 5 minutes: decode all task parts and plan the position, main ideas and support.
- Next 30 minutes: draft a complete response with a clear introduction, logically ordered body paragraphs and a conclusion.
- Final 5 minutes: check task coverage first, then recurring language errors.
Adjust this during practice. The essential constraint is the full 60-minute Writing test: Task 1 also must be completed, even though Task 2 carries twice its weight.
Criterion checklist before submission
Task Response
- Have I answered every command and every part of the prompt?
- Is my position clear and consistent?
- Is each main idea relevant, extended and supported?
- Have I avoided claims that are broader than my explanation can support?
Coherence and Cohesion
- Does each paragraph have a clear purpose?
- Do ideas progress logically within and between paragraphs?
- Are pronouns, referencing and linking words clear?
- Have I removed mechanical connectors that do not express a real relationship?
Lexical Resource
- Are topic words precise and appropriate?
- Have I used natural collocations rather than forced synonyms?
- Are spelling and word forms correct?
- Did I repeat a word because it is the clearest choice, or because I lack an accurate alternative?
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
- Is there a controlled mix of sentence forms?
- Can I split any overloaded sentence?
- Have I checked my known patterns, such as articles, agreement, verb forms or punctuation?
- Do any errors make the meaning difficult to follow?
Error-review template
Review the marked text against evidence, not just an overall band estimate.
- Prompt:
- My one-sentence position:
- Task part missed or only partly answered:
- Paragraph where the position became unclear:
- Main idea needing more extension or support:
- Progression or paragraphing problem:
- Linking or reference that was unclear:
- Inaccurate or inappropriate word or collocation:
- Grammar or punctuation pattern:
- Corrected sentence:
- Rule or model I will use:
- Short drill:
- Date to rewrite the same paragraph:
- Did the error recur in the next timed essay?
Track repeated error types across several essays. A single response is not enough to establish a reliable band trend.
Quick answers
Is Task 2 exactly 40 minutes?
The Writing test is 60 minutes in total. IELTS advises spending about 40 minutes on Task 2 because it contributes twice as much as Task 1.
Is 250 words a target or a minimum?
It is the minimum. IELTS warns that an answer below 250 words is penalised. Writing much more can reduce checking time and increase irrelevant content.
Are the four criteria equally weighted?
Yes, within each task. Task 2 itself then carries twice the weight of Task 1 in the overall Writing score.
Must I use four paragraphs?
No. Use enough paragraphs to organise the argument logically. Paragraphing is assessed, but no official fixed count is prescribed.
Are there exactly five Task 2 question types?
No official IELTS rule defines a closed list of five. Common labels are planning aids; the exact prompt wording is authoritative.
Do I need specialist knowledge?
No. IELTS says relevant examples may come from your own knowledge or experience. The response is judged as writing, not as a subject-matter examination.
Can advanced vocabulary guarantee Band 7?
No. Lexical Resource considers range, precision, appropriacy and accuracy. All four criteria contribute equally to the task score.
