MASTER THE IELTS WRITING TASK 2 CONCLUSION: 7 PROVEN TIPS FOR A HIGH BAND SCORE
In IELTS Writing Task 2, the conclusion is more than just a final paragraph — it’s your last chance to impress the examiner. A well-crafted conclusion can effectively summarise your argument, reinforce your opinion, and improve coherence — all of which are essential for a high band score. This guide outlines seven expert tips to help you write powerful conclusions and avoid common pitfalls.
1. Restate Your Opinion or Thesis Clearly
Your conclusion must reflect the central argument or opinion stated in your introduction. Don’t introduce a new idea — just reinforce what has already been argued.
Tip: Paraphrase your thesis rather than copying it word-for-word. This shows lexical resource and grammatical flexibility, both crucial for Band 7+.
MASTER THE IELTS WRITING TASK 2 CONCLUSION
Example:
Introduction: I believe fast food negatively affects public health.
Conclusion: In conclusion, I strongly maintain that the rise of fast food consumption has detrimental effects on people’s well-being.
2. Avoid New Ideas
One of the most common mistakes candidates make is adding new information in the conclusion. Examiners mark this negatively as it shows poor cohesion and task response.
Tip: Your conclusion is a summary — not a place for statistics, new examples, or fresh arguments.
3. Use Clear Linking Phrases
Start your conclusion with appropriate linking phrases to signal the end of your essay. This improves coherence and helps the examiner follow your writing.
Useful Phrases:
– In conclusion,
– To sum up,
– In summary,
– Overall,
Avoid using informal connectors like “All in all” or overly dramatic ones like “Finally and forever.”
MASTER THE IELTS WRITING TASK 2 CONCLUSION
4. Keep It Concise
Your conclusion should be 2–3 sentences long. It’s a summary, not a repetition of the body paragraphs.
Tip: Focus on restating your opinion and summarising the main idea without repeating the entire essay.
Example:
In conclusion, while both traditional education and online platforms offer unique advantages, I believe a blended learning approach best meets the needs of modern learners.
5. Don’t Repeat Sentences Verbatim
Repeating sentences from the introduction or body shows a lack of vocabulary range and weakens your lexical score.
Tip: Use synonyms and restructure your sentence using different grammar.
Weak: Therefore, it is clear that mobile phones are bad for students.
Better: Thus, it can be concluded that excessive mobile phone use hinders students’ academic focus.
6. Include a Final Thought (Optional)
For Band 8+, some examiners appreciate a conclusion that ends with a forward-looking statement or recommendation — as long as it doesn’t add new points.
MASTER THE IELTS WRITING TASK 2 CONCLUSION
Examples:
– It is hoped that governments will enforce stricter laws to mitigate this issue.
– Future generations may benefit from a more balanced approach if these measures are adopted.
7. Practice with Real Prompts
Improving your conclusion writing requires real practice. Use authentic IELTS questions and focus on writing just the conclusion for each. This helps you master the tone, structure, and vocabulary.
Tip: After writing your body paragraphs, ask:
– “What did I argue?”
– “What is my final message to the reader?”
MASTER THE IELTS WRITING TASK 2 CONCLUSION
Final Tip
A conclusion may be short, but it carries significant weight. It reflects your ability to wrap up your ideas in a structured, coherent, and convincing way. By restating your opinion clearly, avoiding new information, and using strong linking words, you can boost your overall writing band score significantly.
Remember: a strong ending leaves a strong impression. Practice regularly, analyze sample band 8–9 essays, and soon your conclusions will stand out with clarity and impact.
MASTER THE IELTS WRITING TASK 2 CONCLUSION
MASTER THE IELTS WRITING TASK 2 CONCLUSION