How to Improve IELTS Writing Task 2 Score: Important Tips

Wondering how to improve your IELTS writing task 2 score? You are not alone. Most aspirants need an impressive band score in IELTS to increase their chances of getting accepted at reputed foreign educational institutions. Writing task 2 in IELTS is common for both general training and academic tests and is perceived as one of the most challenging questions in the examination. That is why we are here to help you enhance your IELTS Writing Task 2 score effectively and confidently.

You should follow a strategic plan and study properly to achieve a 7+ IELTS score in an IELTS writing task. You should practice every day, analyze sample questions and answers, learn new vocabulary, master grammar, and learn how to write an engaging answer within the allocated time. Let’s explore how to improve IELTS writing, ensuring you achieve the highest possible score for your ambitions to study abroad.

IELTS Academic Test 

The IELTS Academic test is designed to assess English language proficiency for those planning to study in a university or college abroad or for professional registration. It evaluates your ability to understand and use English in an academic environment. The test comprises four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. 

• Listening: Tests your ability to understand spoken English in various accents and contexts. 
• Reading: This test evaluates your ability to read and understand different text types (e.g., articles, advertisements, reports). 
• Writing: Assess your writing skills in two tasks. Task 1 involves describing a visual data set (Academic) or writing a letter (General Training). Task 2 requires you to write an essay responding to a given topic.
• Speaking: Evaluate your English speaking ability through a face-to-face interview with a trained examiner.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 

In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, you must describe a visual information source, such as a chart, graph, table, diagram, map, or process, in 150 words or more. The total time allotted for this task is 20 minutes. Your task is to accurately describe and summarize the information presented in the visual. 

You should objectively report the main features and make relevant comparisons wherever it is appropriate. The primary focus of this writing task is clarity, objectivity, and conciseness in conveying the key features, trends, and patterns within the data.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 

For IELTS Academic Writing Task 2, you must write an essay responding to a topic or question. You have 40 minutes to complete this task; the minimum word count is 250. You will be presented with a point of view, argument, or problem, and you are expected to develop your ideas with relevant examples and explanations. 

The essay should demonstrate your ability to present a clear and well-supported argument. In IELTS writing task 2, your ability to develop ideas coherently, use appropriate language, and demonstrate academic writing style will be evaluated.

IELTS General Test 

The IELTS General Test is designed to assess English language proficiency for those planning to migrate to an English-speaking country or those seeking employment or training programs requiring English language skills. It evaluates everyday English language skills needed for survival in a general and social context. Like the Academic test, it consists of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

IELTS General Writing Task 1 

In Task 1 of the General Training Writing module, you will be asked to write a letter, which should be around 150 words. The letter may be formal, semi-formal, or informal, depending on the situation. You may be required to request information, explain a situation, or provide advice.

The key aspects assessed in this writing task include task achievement (fulfilling the purpose of the letter), coherence and cohesion (logical organization and linking ideas), lexical resource (vocabulary range and use), and grammatical range and accuracy. 

IELTS General Writing Task 2 

Task 2 of the General Training Writing module is similar to Academic Task 2, in which you must write an essay responding to a given topic. You need to write at least 250 words. The topics in the General Training test are of general interest rather than academic. Your essay should present a clear position and support it with relevant examples and explanations. 

Important Tips to Improve IELTS Writing Task 2 Score

It is necessary to understand how to improve IELTS writing scores. We have collated some guidelines that can help you in this regard.

1. Answer all components of this question
The IELTS Writing task 2 will require aspirants to write an essay according to the given premise or statement. You should carefully read the question and make sure that you answer all the parts. You should always present your view, showcase a differing view and then conclude by offering your opinion. This pattern will help you score better. 

2. Keep your stance clear
If you want to know how to improve your IELTS writing task 2 score, you should learn to write clearly and with confidence. Even though you are writing about various points of view or diverse perceptions in the essay, your stance should be clear. The examiner should understand your viewpoint and opinion about the question. Your position should not waver or fluctuate throughout the essay. Refrain from changing your mind in between. 

3. Essay structure matters
Showcase different opinions and ideas in a structured way with the help of paragraphs. Start with an introductory paragraph while presenting vital opinions/ideas first. Thereafter, elaborate on the same and finish the essay with your own opinion regarding the question. Try and develop a clear position in every single paragraph and make it easier for the examiner by putting spaces between paragraphs. 

4. Transitions are important
Transition words or connecting devices are those phrases/words which add cohesion to your essay. They link sentences neatly and fuse ideas. Some of the options available to you include the following: 

• On the one hand
• Similarly
• Whereas
• Firstly
• Because
• Despite
• However
• Nevertheless
• Finally 
• In conclusion
• Although
• Another
• Therefore
• Undoubtedly

5. Step up your vocabulary
When you are writing your essay use words that can be spelled easily or those which naturally go together. 

6. Use proper grammar
You should have mastery over complex and simple sentences alike. Try sample test papers and check for grammatical mistakes. Practice is the only way out in this scenario. Grammatical structures like prepositions, articles, plurals, subject-verb agreement, and punctuation should be suitably used.

7. Double-check your essay
You should double-check your essay in order to eliminate silly mistakes, improper punctuation, spelling errors, and the like. You should have answered all components of the question, used paragraphs, and checked the grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

These tips will help you improve your IELTS writing task 2 score. Let us now see an IELTS writing task 2 sample that may be of help. 

Important Resources to Read About IELTS:

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Question

Some people think that wild animals should not be kept in zoos. Others believe that there are good reasons for having zoos. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Solution:

(Introduction) 
Wild animals are housed in zoos throughout the world. Currently, zoos are a key tourist attraction in several countries and require wild animals for drawing tourists. I feel that wild animals should not be housed in zoos and alternative ways must be devised for seeing them. 

(Viewpoint 1) 
There are several reasons for setting up zoos in major cities since they draw tourists and earn public revenues. Visitors get an opportunity to see wild animals that they would normally have to travel thousands of miles for. Rare species like the Bengal tiger, Chinese panda, African rhinos, and others, for example. They are already endangered and they would cease to exist if zoos were absent. Zoos also care for the animals while people learn about them. Hence, the educational importance of zoos cannot be underestimated. 

(Viewpoint 2) 
Yet, many people believe that wild animals should remain free. They should not remain in cages and confined areas within zoos. This is equivalent to cruelty towards animals and they sometimes die due to living in man-made habitats. We frequently witness news bulletins about rare animals passing away in zoos or falling sick due to space and other constraints. Animals like lions, polar bears, and others are often affected due to a variety of factors. Animals sometimes remain unhappy and end up attacking visitors and zoo staff. Caging wild animals is cruel and unhealthy for them at many levels. 

(Your Opinion) 
Both the schools of thought are valid. However, I firmly believe that zoos are not suitable for keeping wild animals. If animals have to be cared for, then it has to be done in their habitats within wildlife reserves, sanctuaries, and game parks. The governments should take initiatives to safeguard wild animals while closing down the zoos which seek to profit from them. 

(Conclusion) 
In conclusion, I would like to state that although many people feel that zoos are the best places for wild animals to care for them, educate others and earn revenues, I feel that they are not required. We can view wild animals through the internet and television while happily knowing that they remain free and unfettered.

Now that you have an idea of how to score high in the IELTS Writing Task 2, you must go through various common topics for continuous practice. Remember, the more you practice, the more you acquaint yourself with the requisite skills.

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