IELTS Writing Task 2: how to use your 40 minutes

You have 40 minutes for task 2, so try organising your time in the following way. Please note that these are suggestions, not rules.

First 10 minutes
Read the question and make sure you understand what it is asking you to do. Write a plan for a 4-paragraph essay (introduction, 2 main paragraphs, conclusion) and spend most of the 10 minutes thinking of ideas for the 2 main paragraphs.

5 minutes
Write your introduction: 2 sentences are enough.

20 minutes
Spend 10 minutes on each of your main body paragraphs. These are they most important part of your essay, and the key to a high score.

Last 5 minutes
Write a quick conclusion then check your work.

Comments

[Allen]

Hi Simon,

Thanks so much for your website,it is very helpful.

I just have one question regarding "problems and solutions" question. If the question just simple asks，"what are the problems of this situation and what measures can be taken?", in this case, how many problems and solutions should be write in our essay?

Which way would you recommend, one paragraph just listing porblems and one paragraph about solutions ,or one paragraph of one particular problem and the solution to the problem and one paragraph of another problem and its solution?

Looking forward to your reply.

[Dzung Nguyen]

You can look at his guidance for this kind of question in the lessons before. First paragraph should be about problems and the 2nd one should be about solutions.

[sukhraj]

hi Simon.. i have done b.Sc nursing and got married 6months before. my husband is Canadian citizen. i have already applied for Canada.over there firstly i will appear for RN exam then a nursing job. so pl z tell me how much bands required for this purpose... i m very much confuse plzz help me.. and also tell me should i appear for acedemic or general ielts examss.. waiting for ur ans.
thanx

[namita]

hi Simon

Could you please tell me that is it necessary to give example in Writing Task 2

[Simon]

Hi Sukhraj,

I'm afraid I can't tell you the answers to those questions. It all depends on the requirements of the job. You will need to ask the employer you want to work for.

...

I'll cover some of the other questions people have asked on Saturday.

[chrisquimbo]

How do you feel about plagiarism?
http://testbig.com/ielts-essays/advantages-and-disadvantages-genetic-engineering-discuss#comment-2210

[shuvo]

Hi Simon

I know i sound stupid but will there be any example given in IELTS listening test like they do during mock test?

you see, i am planning to sit on IELTS next month and i chose Cambridge books to help me out. and these books always give an example before starting.(which is really helpful cause it helps me to have a look around of the questions before the test starts)

i hope you understand how puzzled i am :(

Regards
shuvo

[Simon]

Hi Shuvo,

Yes, they give an example at the start of section 1.

[Lin]

Hello Simon,

I just found your side just few days before my exam date which is pity because it is very useful, especially the writing task 2 section.
I read through every pages of the section and applied your suggestions to my exam this morning.
I spent the 40 minute plan as you suggested and it went pretty well.
Thank you again! :)

PS. I will have speaking test tomorrow, so now I will concentrate on reading your speaking section

Cheers,
Lin