IELTS Writing Task 2: ways to prepare

Many students only do one thing to prepare for writing task 2: they write lots of full essays. Although it's obviously important to practise writing full essays, there are other things that I think you should be doing.

Here are some study ideas for writing task 2:

1) Break the task into parts
Instead of writing a full essay today, why not try writing 5 different introductions using my 2-sentence technique? Or challenge yourself to write 3 different main-body paragraphs about "advantages" (e.g. advantages of mobile phones, homeschooling and immigration) - use this lesson to help you. Or write 5 different conclusions - just one sentence each, summarising your response to 5 different questions.

2) Do some research
Instead of worrying about one particular question, try to find 10 recent exam questions (maybe using this page). Write the questions on a piece of paper, decide what the general topic is for each one (e.g. advertising, prisons, life expectancy) and do some research about those topics. Don't worry about the exact question, just try to "collect" good ideas and vocabulary for the overall topic. A quick search on Google or Wikipedia should give you what you need.

3) What do you believe?
A big problem for some students is that they don't have well-formed opinions. They're not sure what to write about topics like homeschooling, immigration or gun control. The good news is that there is no 'correct' opinion - the examiner is only looking at how well you express your opinions in English. So, after doing some research (see point 2 above), make sure you have an opinion of your own.

Comments

[Nisha]

hello simon,
Few days back l asked you that where l can send my essay for correction ,,you replied me with your link. So l did the same as it was asked,,but l havent received any respond since then.....reason why lam saying this simon , my exam in on 14 and 23 and lam not gud in writing need help to get 7band.......
Regards
Nisha

[zaina]

Advantages of mobile phones:
-Mobile phones have become a significant way to interact with people in instant time.

-mobile phones have several functions. They are used for chatting, reading, browsing internet, taking pictures recording voice and also for entertainments.

may any one help me to know my mistakes.

[Simon]

Hi Nisha,

Can you email me again so that I can put you in touch with my colleague? Email: [email protected]

[Ieltstaker]

Hi Zaina,

Mobile phones have revolutionised the way we communicate with each other,allowing people to speak to relatives from different locations.In addition,they can be used to coomunicate in different way such as video calls,text messages,e-mal etc.Mobile phone can be used for other purposes as well,For example,if someone download software for torch than it can be use as a torch.Also some people have navigation in their phone that help them to find a route in if they lost their way.

[Ana]

Hi Simon,
Is it correct to say :
Movie and ice-cream,together constituted 30% of total spending.

I mean is it the correct way of using "constitute" ?And also is the comma in the right place?

Thanks a lot.

[Juliane Mota]

Simon,you are a star!!!!

I can feel that now,with your help,I will get the score that I need!!!!My listening and speaking are good,as I have been living in England since august 2010,but my writing was not good.The way you teach is amazing...I will definitely come to Manchester to attend one of your classes.

[dfrsdf]

Traffic jams and over crowding are now major problems in many large cities throughout the world. Some people think that large industries should be moved outside such conurbations to make way for more people and to reduce congestion . How far do you agree?

Introduction: Some people have the idea that moving industrial complexes and factories away from city centres to beyond the suburbs is a good idea to reduce problems like traffic congestion and over population . This I feel may solve some problems but will probably create many more and so other solutions are necessary.

Conclusion: As far as I am concerned, I would opt not to move the major businesses to other lands for solving over crowding and traffic jams issues in the cities unless we can feel a significant improvement of the public transport .

Some people say that advertising encourages us to buy things we really do not need. Others say that advertisements tell us about new
products that may improve our lives. Which viewpoint do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Introduction: I think that everyone can divide all advertising products and services into useless ones and useful ones. It is like looking through an information

Conclusion: My point is that every person has his own scale of values.

What are some important qualities of a good supervisor (boss)? Use specific details and examples to explain why these qualities are
important.
Introduction: Many people have to work under somebody's supervision. In most cases an employee does not choose his or her boss, unless a supervisor is
elected. In the following paragraphs I will list the most important qualities of my "ideal boss"
Conclusion: A good boss should be able to make his people enjoy the work they are doing and encourage their diligence.

Some children find learning history at school very exciting, but many others think it is very boring. In what ways can history be brought to life for all school children.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
You should write at least 250 words.

Introduction:Although history forms a significant portion of the school curriculum, many students find it not very interesting either because they need to remember many dates and facts or they believe that it is not relevant to their life. Teachers can adopt a number of ways to make history alive and interesting to students.

Conclusion: If teachers take a special interest in engaging students in such activities, I believe that history will never be a boring subject for them.

Some people feel that young people face more pressure today than the equivalent age groups did in previous generations. Others think they have a much easier life than their parents did. What is your opinion?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
You should write at least 250 words.

Introduction :The youth of the previous generations, I believe, did experience greater pressure compared to the present generation of young people, owing to several economic, social and professional issues they encountered.

Conclusion: Nonetheless, compared to the past, the present young generation experience lower levels of stress and lead an easier life.

[Muhammad]

Hi Simon and everyone,
the topic below , taken from ROADS TO IETLS, is a little confusing although there was a full written sample. Could you or any one help me with the plan? Can i state both arguments? if yes, how?
Thanks for your time

''Biotechnology companies all over the word are developing different genetically modified crops. However, not enough is known about the effect of these crops on our health and on the environment. Interfering with nature in this way should prohibited.''

[dfrsdf]

paragraphs about "advantages" (e.g. advantages of having a mobile phone. Or challenge yourself to write 3 different main-body subjects: phones, homeschooling, and immigration.

Mobile phones are easy to carry because they are small and not heavy, especially the new models. Some phones like iPhones because it has a multiple use. You can access the internet and take photographs or make videos. There is considerable competition between mobile phones companies, each seeking to entice new users with cheap offers.

There is a substantial risk for pupils attending mainstream schools. According to records from traffic agencies, homeschooled children are less likely to be exposed to accidents. An advantage of such technology is that it enabled a parent to maintain contact with a child and to teach the child according his or her own interests and at his or her own pace. For example, you can skip information if the child is struggling in coping material or move on to other educational material if the child finds that he or she can understand what has been presented to them. Transport is not a concern for children who are taught at homes, but for the vast majority who attend schools, carrying a mobile phone enables parents to warn them if they are delayed in picking them up from school.

Immigration also has an educational value because an immigrant is going to learn at least something about the culture of the area to which he or she has migrated. Emigration can help change the lifestyle of a person. It may even improve their health by being beneficial in terms of easing mental problems such as depression and the distressing arising from the experiencing of war or persecution. People can become more liberal in their attitudes and lifestyle and more relaxed if they immigrate to another country such as the UK; particularly if they suffered from torture and violence in their country of origin.

[AJ]

Hi Simon,
You used the word practise in your post.
I wasn't aware of the difference between practice and practise. I did some digging and found out that the former is used as a noun and the latter as a verb. My question is how to figure out whether the word is being used as a noun, since the first thought when the word comes into mind is that of an action (verb).

[Abdul]

I think my problem is i have lack of info and ideas about some topics the could come in IELTS .. I'm reading more nowadays to improve my vocabulary as well as my reading speed and writing task 2

[Thao]

Hi Simon,
This is a topic about whether film and video games which contain violence should be banned or not.

" Film and computer games containing violence are popular now. Some people think they have negative effects and should be banned. Other think they are just a harmless form of relaxation. To what extent do you agree or disagree?"

Here are my introduction:

While many people argue that watching films or playing video games which contain violent scenes does not negatively influence on users, i strongly believe that it should be banned due to various reasons.

is it a right introduction? And is it a matter if i just mention the reasons explained why i don't agree instead of discuss both sides of problems?

[maj]

hi simon,
will my score be affected if I write my essay in all capital letters?
hope to hear from you soon.
thank you

[Zaina]

Thanks Ieltstaker for your reply.

[Asal]

I would be grateful if anybody could check over my essay and inform me with my mistakes:
Despite all the government’s efforts to decrease the number of car
accidents, this number is still on the rise.
In your opinion, how can the government help reduce the number of car
accidents?
Use specific reasons to support your opinion.

The rise in the number of car accidents has been almost the main issue of modern, industrialised countries. Although several actions have been taken to mitigate this problem, I believe that there are still some effective measures that could be taken to improve the situation.

In my opinion, a simple solution that could be put forward to reduce accident rates is introducing strict rules for drivers. For example, the figure for permitted speed in various roads and streets of a particular city or town should be decreased to a lower rate in relation to the population of that region and its traffic congestion. Therefore, drivers will have to drive slower and more careful in order to obey the rule, otherwise they will have to pay a great deal of fine for breaking the law. In this way, high speed which is always to blame the main factor of most serious accidents will be taken away from account.

Further measure would be to widen more of the streets and highways of different zones in order to facilitate transmissions and speed conveying services. Moreover, separating motor vehicles and allocating especial roads and paths to bicycles and motorcycles would be another preventative solution that ensures safer transports between different areas. All in all, people should be aware more of the potential dangers of breaking the law and its critical consequences. In fact, they should be encouraged to adopt lawful actions.

In conclusion, I would argue that various actions could be taken to tackle several car accidents that are certain to arise throughout the country.

[AA]

Hi Simon
Is it possible to start the conclusion paragraph with " To conclude" instead of " In conclusion " ?

[April padilla]

Hi Simon,

I purchased ur ebook two weeks ago and havent receive it.
So, I decided to refund instead cause i might not use it because my exam will be on the 23.

[Simon]

Hi April,

I sent the ebook on the same day, and I've written to you many times. I guess the ebook and my other emails are in your junkmail. Please check and write to me. I can't do anything until we manage to get in contact. I even left a message for you at the top of my website all last week.

Simon

[Christy]

Hi AA,

Yes, you can use both. Furthermore , you can also use To sum up, or In sum, .

[christy]

Hi AJ,

I took my liberty to reply to your question. It is quite simple, just look at the sentences below.

Please, do some more practice at home - practice is noun.

I practise medicine - practise is a verb (maybe i am a doctor, that's why i am practising medicing :) )

[Bia]

Hello everyone,
Today I tried to practice writing only one paragraph about the advantages of immigration, it would be great if you tell me what do you thing or to give me advice:
There are several advantages related to the issue of immigration. First, many people consider going abroad in order to find a wide range of job and study opportunities. It is where they get well paid, and therefore they will acquire a better standard of living. Second, living in a different country from our own gives us the opportunity to discover the culture, customs and traditions of the host community. This leads towards a sense of integration with the locals. Finally, the fruit of immigration is to broaden our horizons and to bless us with a much better experience in life.

[sam]

hi, simon!
I just need to know if anyone can send u essays for proofreading?
regards!