One of the most misunderstood aspects of IELTS preparation is how to use IELTS writing samples.
IELTS Writing Sample Answers: How should I use them?
IELTS Writing sample answers are great because they provide a good model for you to compare your writing with. However, simply reading lots of them is not going to make you a better writer.
Think about it this way, how many millions of people watch world-class footballers like Messi and Ronaldo every week? Does it improve their football skills? Maybe if they go and practice what they learned, but not a bit if they do nothing.
In order to really improve you have to actively use the Writing Task 2 sample answer below, not passively read them and then expect to magically improve. Follow the plan of action below.
Plan of Action
- Read the questions, but DO NOT read the sample answers. Even taking a brief look at the question will influence your answer.
- Attempt the answer under exam conditions.
- Compare what you have with the sample answer.
- Think about the ideas, the structure, the organisation, vocabulary, and grammar. It is important that you really think deeply about how the author used each of the elements above.
- Don’t worry if your answer is very different. There are many different ways to answer a Task 2 question.
- Go back and improve your original answer with some of the elements of the IELTS Task 2 sample answer.
100 Task 2 Sample Questions
If you don’t want IELTS Writing sample answers and just want to look at lots of practice questions, here is a list of over 100 of them:
You can find some more sample questions on the official IELTS website and the British Council site.
Answers with Examiner’s Reports
To give you an insight into how the examiner marks your test, here are some Task 2 answers with examiner’s comments at the end.
Childcare Discussion Essay and Examiner’s Report
Student’s Band 6 Answer and Examiner’s Report
Agree or Disagree Samples
In these questions, you are given a statement and asked if you agree or disagree with it. They are also sometimes called ‘Opinion’ questions.
Task Two Agree or Disagree Sample Essays
Every Year Several Languages Die Out- Task 2 Sample Answer
Student’s Essay on Voluntary Service
An Essay Most Students Got Wrong
Languages Agree or Disagree Essay
Compulsory Voluntary Work in High School
To what extent do you agree or disagree?- Technology
Agree or Disagree- Arts at Primary School Level
Agree or Disagree- Online Lectures
Positive or Negative Development- Shopping
Environmental Essay with Short Introduction and Conclusion
Every Year Several Languages Die Out
Discussion Samples
In these questions, you are given two opposing points of view and asked to discuss both of them and give your opinion.
Discussion and Opinion (University Education)
Discussion Essay- Student Rewards
Childcare Discussion Essay Good and Bad Example
Discuss Both Views- Mixed Schools
Discuss Both Views Sample Answer- Changing Jobs
Teenage Years – IELTS Task 2 Essay
Aim of Education – IELTS Task 2 Sample Answer
Advantage and Disadvantage Samples
In these questions, you are normally given one issue and asked to discuss the positive and negative sides of that issue.
Advantages and Disadvantages Essay- Multinational Companies
Problem/Causes and Solutions Samples
Sometimes you are asked about the problems that a certain issue causes and sometimes you are asked about the causes of a certain problem. An important distinction as you will see below.
Causes and Solutions- Health and Fitness
Good and Bad Example- Old and Young People in the Job Market
IELTS Task 2 Band 9 Sample Essay- Student Behaviour
Double Questions
An increasingly common question gives one issue and then asks two separate questions about it.
Double Questions Sample Answer- Technology
Free Study Plan
Video Lesson: How THIS student scored a Band 8.5 in IELTS Writing
In this video, my student will reveal how she scored a Band 8.5 in IELTS Writing, sharing the EXACT answer she wrote on her exam day.
We’ll break down her essay step-by-step, talking about the ways she used vocabulary to score high, came up with strong ideas and much more:
Need more help with IELTS Writing Task 2?
No problem – scroll down or visit our Writing Task 2 page for more resources to help you get ready for your exam.
I recently posted a video lesson which covers the key things I’ve learned from marking 10,000+ IELTS essays over the years. Watch a Writing Task 2 lesson or visit our youtube channel for more video lessons like this one.
The articles below contain some of our most comprehensive guides to Writing Task 2:
This article is unique to anything we’ve published before. Read it now to access our 61-page Task 2 strategy.
Making a good plan actually saves you time when you write your essay. If you don’t plan you are more likely to get lost halfway through your essay and the result is normally a very confused piece of writing that is difficult to read. This guide will show you how to write a clear essay every time.
Thinking of good ideas is one of the most challenging parts of the test for some people. This guide provides 5 different methods to help you quickly think of relevant ideas that are directly linked to the question.
Complex sentences help you boost your score for grammar. Complex sentences are actually very simple to write and are not complex at all- in this article we show you how.
Paraphrasing is one of the essential IELTS skills, not just in Writing Task 2, but in all parts of the IELTS test. You should paraphrase the question in every essay and I recommend doing this in the very first sentence to help boost your vocabulary score.
Supporting paragraphs are the main body paragraphs and are the meat in the sandwich. This is where you provide the detail the examiner is looking for in the form of explanations and examples.
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