IELTS WRITING TASK 2: HOW TO IDENTIFY THE TYPE OF QUESTION
Identifying the type of IELTS Writing Task 2 essay begins with closely examining the prompt. Start by reading the bolded instruction, which contains the core question you must address. Next, underline keywords to grasp the central theme of the essay question, such as key issues or topics like “advantages and disadvantages,” “problems and solutions,” or “discuss both views and give your opinion.” Analyze the subsequent sentences to determine the specific task you need to accomplish, whether it’s presenting arguments and examples, discussing contrasting views, outlining problems and proposing solutions, or evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of a particular issue.
Additionally, look for keywords like “you,” “your,” or phrases prompting for an opinion, which indicate whether you are expected to express your viewpoint. By systematically analyzing these elements, you can effectively discern the type of essay required and structure your response accordingly to meet the IELTS Writing Task 2 criteria.
IELTS WRITING TASK 2
Reading the Question and Identifying Keywords
1. Focus on the Bold Statement: The actual essay question is typically found within the bolded instructions. This is where you should direct your attention to understand the task at hand.
2. Identifying Keywords: Underline or highlight keywords in the question to grasp the central theme. For example, consider the question:
“Poverty is still one of the major problems in developing countries. What are the problems faced by poor nations? What can be done to eradicate poverty?”
Keywords to underline here include “poverty,” “problems faced by poor nations,” and “eradicate poverty.” This helps in clarifying the topic of the essay.
IELTS WRITING TASK 2
Determining the Type of Essay
3. Analyze the Following Sentences: After identifying the topic, analyze the sentences following the essay statement. This part typically clarifies what you are required to do:
– In the example above, the questions “What are the problems faced by poor nations?” and “What can be done to eradicate poverty?” indicate that this is a “problems and solutions” type of essay.
Recognizing Opinion-Based Essays
4. Identify Opinion Keywords: Look for specific keywords that indicate you need to express your opinion in the essay. Common keywords include:
IELTS WRITING TASK 2
– “Do you agree?”
– “Do you agree or disagree on this statement?”
– “What is your opinion?”
– “To what extent do you agree on this?”
– “What do you think about this opinion?”
– “Discuss both views and give your own opinion.”
When such questions are present in the prompt, it signifies that the essay requires you to clearly state and justify your opinion on the given topic.
IELTS WRITING TASK 2
Importance of Clarity and Approach
5. Clear Structure and Approach: Understanding the essay type enables you to structure your response appropriately:
– Opinion essays: Clearly state your viewpoint and support it with relevant reasons and examples.
– Problem-solution essays: Discuss the issues outlined and propose effective solutions with supporting details.
By carefully analyzing the essay question in IELTS Writing Task 2, focusing on keywords, and identifying whether an opinion is required, you can approach your essay with clarity and precision. This methodical approach not only helps in understanding the task but also ensures that you fulfill the criteria necessary for scoring well in this section of the exam.
IELTS WRITING TASK 2
