IELTS Writing Task 2

Essay Practice: All Five Essay Types
Interactive guided practice with model essays and sentence frames

Watch
Model essay + analysis
Together
Guided paragraph writing
Your Turn
Full essay, assembled

How These Lessons Work

Each lesson focuses on one essay type. You will see a Band 8 model, analyse the structures, then write your own essay paragraph by paragraph using sentence frames for support. By Tab 7, you have a complete essay.

Ready for the real thing? Every type now also has an Exam Mode practice (marked 1c–5c below): one real IELTS question, a 40-minute timer and a live word counter, with no frames or guidance. A self-check list and a Band 8 model unlock only after you finish — just like the real exam.

1

Understand the essay type and plan your ideas

2

Read and analyse a Band 8 model essay

3-6

Write each paragraph with sentence frames and model reveals

7

Assemble your complete essay and self-assess

Choose an Essay Type to Practise
1

Opinion Essay

To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Today's question: University education should be provided free of charge by the government.
State opinion in introduction Maintain it throughout Inversion + nominalization
Start Practice 1
1b

Opinion Essay — Practice 2

To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Today's question: Should governments provide international aid when they have domestic unemployment and homelessness? (IELTS Academic 2024)
Clear position throughout Counter-argument + rebuttal Compare with Practice 1
Start Practice 2
1c

Opinion Essay — Exam Mode

To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Today's question: Unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programmes. (Real past IELTS question)
No scaffolding 40-min timer + word count Self-check + model after
Start Exam Practice
2

Discussion Essay

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Today's question: Working from home vs the traditional office environment.
Cover both sides fairly Opinion only in conclusion Distancing phrases
Start Practice 1
2b

Discussion Essay — Practice 2

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Today's question: Is it more effective for students to study in a group or alone? (IELTS Academic, Nov 2025)
Both views covered fairly Opinion in conclusion only Compare with Practice 1
Start Practice 2
2c

Discussion Essay — Exam Mode

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Today's question: Should university students study anything they like, or only useful subjects such as science and technology? (Real past IELTS question)
No scaffolding 40-min timer + word count Self-check + model after
Start Exam Practice
3

Problem/Solution Essay

What are the causes? What measures could be taken?
Today's question: Traffic congestion in cities around the world.
Specific causes with impact Specific solutions with HOW Real examples + evidence
Start Practice 1
3b

Problem/Solution Essay — Practice 2

What are the problems? What measures can be taken to address them?
Today's question: Mental health problems among young people.
Specific causes with impact Specific solutions with HOW Compare with Practice 1
Start Practice 2
3c

Problem/Solution Essay — Exam Mode

What are the problems? How can they be solved?
Today's question: City life is difficult for a growing urban population — its difficulties, and how governments can make urban life better. (Real past IELTS question)
No scaffolding 40-min timer + word count Self-check + model after
Start Exam Practice
4

Advantages/Disadvantages Essay

Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Today's question: The widespread use of social media.
Verdict in introduction Both sides covered Clear "which outweighs" conclusion
Start Practice 1
4b

Advantages/Disadvantages Essay — Practice 2

Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Today's question: Many young people choose their career based mainly on salary. (IELTS Academic, Mar 2025)
Verdict in introduction Weighing language Compare with Practice 1
Start Practice 2
4c

Advantages/Disadvantages Essay — Exam Mode

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
Today's question: Taking a year to work or travel between finishing high school and starting university. (Real past IELTS question)
No scaffolding 40-min timer + word count Self-check + model after
Start Exam Practice
5

Two-Part Question Essay

Two separate questions — you must answer both.
Today's question: Why do people travel abroad? What impact does tourism have on local communities?
Answer BOTH questions Equal depth for each Parallel conclusion
Start Practice 1
5b

Two-Part Question Essay — Practice 2

Two separate questions — you must answer both.
Today's question: Why are consumers less influenced by advertising? Is this positive or negative? (IELTS Academic, Jan 2026)
Answer BOTH questions Equal depth for each Compare with Practice 1
Start Practice 2
5c

Two-Part Question Essay — Exam Mode

Answer every part of the task.
Today's question: What influences news editors' choices? Do we get used to bad news? Should more good news be reported? (Real past IELTS question)
No scaffolding 40-min timer + word count Self-check + model after
Start Exam Practice

Quick Reference: How to Spot the Essay Type

Opinion Essay

  • "To what extent do you agree or disagree?"
  • "Do you agree or disagree?"
  • "What is your opinion?"

Discussion Essay

  • "Discuss both views and give your own opinion."
  • "Some people believe X. Others argue Y."

Problem/Solution

  • "What are the causes of...?"
  • "What measures could be taken to solve...?"

Advantages/Disadvantages

  • "Discuss the advantages and disadvantages."
  • "Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?"

Two-Part Question

  • "Why does X happen?"
  • "What effects does X have?"
  • Two separate question marks in the task

Band 7+ Principles (Apply to Every Essay Type)

Paraphrase the question. Never copy words from the task into your introduction.
Topic sentence first. The first sentence of each body paragraph must state the argument clearly.
Explain, don't just state. After every argument, explain WHY it matters.
Specificity over vagueness. "London's congestion charge reduced traffic by 30%" beats "the government should act."
Use advanced structures. Inversion, nominalization, and complex conditionals push you from Band 6 to Band 7+.
Word count 250-290. Under 250 = automatic penalty. Over 300 = time risk. Aim for 260-280.