IELTS General Writing task 2: Essay sample with answers

In IELTS General Training Writing Task 2, you are required to write a semi-formal or neutral essay of at least 250 words. The question will present a viewpoint, issue, or argument, followed by specific points you must address in your response.

The topic will be of broad, everyday interest. For example, you may be asked to write about:

• whether children’s free-time activities should be educational

• ways to tackle environmental issues

• if smoking should be prohibited in public areas

To produce a strong answer, ensure your response is complete, relevant, and well-organised. You should explain your ideas clearly and support them with suitable examples or evidence, including personal experience where appropriate. This task requires you to deal with more abstract ideas and demonstrate a wide range of vocabulary and grammar.

You are advised to spend no more than 40 minutes on this essay. Writing fewer than 250 words will lead to a penalty. Although writing more is allowed, an overly long response may reduce the time you have for checking mistakes and may include ideas that do not directly relate to the question.

Marks will be deducted if your content is off-topic or if you present your answer in bullet points or note form. The essay must be written as a continuous, connected text. Copying from other sources (plagiarism) will result in a severe penalty.

Your answer must be written directly on the answer sheet.

Skills assessed in IELTS General Writing task 2

This task evaluates your ability to write a clear, coherent, and well-supported argument using accurate and appropriate language. Depending on the question type, you may be assessed on how effectively you can:

• provide general and factual information

• identify a problem and propose a solution

• express and justify your opinion

• analyse, evaluate, or discuss different ideas or arguments

Required word count

Your essay must contain a minimum of 250 words.

Here is a sample question of IELTS General Writing task 2 sample question with an answer for your reference:

Sample question for IELTS General Writing task 2

Write about the following topic:

In Britain, when someone gets old they often go to live in a home with other old people where there are nurses to look after them. Sometimes the government has to pay for this care.

Who do you think should pay for this care, the government or the family?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Sample answer for IELTS General Writing task 2

Who should be responsible for our people?

The old Peoples situation indeed gets worse in the many countries. The first question must be what they want and what they need. Especially their necessity is more benefit more respect more quiet life.

If they have been working for a long time in any company or the Public Sector and when they get old that means during their retirement time the company or Government must be responsible for their welfare, it is just my opinion. They should take care of them.

In addition to company or Government. If they have good money they can look after themselves. We can do something to make easier their life for example an organization a voluntary association, or a union.

The family's or Relative’s responsibility depends on their wealthy situation. If they could do they should do anything.

The government or their former place could supply them with life insurance and a good Social Security Policy. The Social community centre or old age pensioner like in the Britain are very useful for them.

For all of them, life is hard and gets harder, in their old age. They expect more attention and a good life.

The old people, if don’t want to lose them. We should do anything that we can do.

I. Bozyil

IELTS General Writing task 2 practice test questions

To score well, access our IDP IELTS General Training Writing practice test pdf.

Computer-based questions with answers

IELTS General Training Writing Task 2 practice test: View Task | Download answer key

IELTS on Paper questions with answers

IELTS General Training Writing Task 2 practice test: View Task | Download answer key