IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answers – High-Scoring Band 8+ Essays

Writing Task 2 on the IELTS test is one of the hardest parts of the test. It checks how well you can make arguments, explain your views, compare ideas, and judge proof. A well-organised essay that shows you can think critically and use correct language can get you a Band 8 or even 9.

This text has the following:

A breakdown of how Writing Task 2 is set up
Answers from Band 8 and above
Structures and word-choice help
What to do and not to do to get good scores

Let’s get started.

 

What does IELTS Writing Task 2 mean

For IELTS Writing Task 2, you have forty minutes to write an article of at least 250 words.

What you are graded on is:
Answer to Task
Sense and cohesion
Lexical Resource (word list)
Range and accuracy of grammar

Types of Task 2 Essay Questions:
Opinion Essay (agree or disagree)
Discussion Essay (talk about both points of view and state your own opinion)
Essay on Solving a Problem
Pros and Cons
Double-Question Paper

Figuring out the type helps you get your ideas in order.

Example 1: An Opinion Paper (Band 8 and above)
There are people who think that high school students should have to do free community service like working for a charity, making the neighbourhood better, or teaching sports to younger kids. How much do you agree or disagree?

Answer:
In today’s competitive academic world, adding unpaid community service to high school classes has caused a lot of discussion. Some people say that making kids do these things puts too much pressure on them, but I really think that making community service mandatory has many educational and social benefits.

People who do community work learn to be responsible and care about others. Teenagers become more aware of social problems when they do charity work like teaching kids from poor families or cleaning up public areas. These activities go beyond what is taught in school and give students experience in the real world, which helps them become well-rounded adults.

Volunteering can also help students improve their soft skills, like their ability to communicate, lead, and work with others. These skills are becoming more and more important in both college and the work market. For example, a student who has organised a charity event before shows initiative and the ability to work with people from different backgrounds.

Some people might say that adding non-academic jobs to school programs makes things harder for students who are already busy. But if these apps are set up correctly, they don’t have to get in the way of schoolwork. Schools can let students choose their own programs and give them time during times when school isn’t as busy.

Finally, community work should be seen as an important part of every high school student’s education. Not only does it help communities, but it also helps kids grow as people and prepares them for future success.

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Level of the band: 8.5

Example 2: Discussion Paper (Band 8)
Some folks believe that parents should teach their kids how to behave well in public. Some people think that school is the best place to learn this, though. Talk about both sides and then give your own opinion.

Answer:
People still have different ideas about whether schools or parents are more responsible for teaching kids good values. Parental responsibility and school help are both very important, but I think parental responsibility should come first.

Parents are the first and most reliable people a child looks up to. Children learn by watching their parents from a very young age. Living with your family every day is the best way to teach values like honesty, respect, and kindness. Also, unlike teachers who have to deal with a lot of students, parents can give their child individualised help that fits their needs.

Anyway, schools are organised places where kids can meet and play with other kids from different backgrounds. This helps them learn how to get along with others and see things from different points of view. Students can learn how to work together, be responsible, and follow rules through group projects and events outside of school.

But schools might not be the best place to learn social ideals on their own. Teachers often have to stick to school subjects and time limits. If kids don’t get emotional support at home, what they learn in school might not stick.

In conclusion, schools are very helpful, but parents are the ones who really need to teach their kids how to be good citizens.

Level of the band: 8.0

Sample Paper 3: A Problem-Solution Paper (Band 8 and above)
A lot of people think that the rise of computers and cell phones is making people less likely to talk to each other in person. Why does this make things worse, and how can they be fixed?

Answer:
The way people talk to each other has changed undeniably since so many people use digital gadgets. But too much use of computers and apps is making face-to-face interactions less useful, which is causing a number of social and psychological problems.

One of the big issues is that relationships are getting weaker. Text messages and video calls are handy, but they don’t have the same emotional depth or nonverbal cues as talking to someone in person. People in families and close relationships are especially likely to misunderstand each other and feel emotionally disconnected because of this.

One more problem is the rise in mental illness and being alone. Research has shown that people who spend more time in front of screens feel lonely and sad more often. Lack of real social networks makes these feelings worse.

People and organisations must both do something to solve these problems. Kids should spend less time in front of screens and more time playing outside and with other kids. When it’s possible, employers can encourage people to meet in person instead of communicating online. Through public campaigns and educational programs, schools and governments can also make people more aware of how important it is to connect with others in real life.

To sum up, digital communication has its benefits, but the lack of face-to-face interaction is making social issues worse. Families, teachers, and lawmakers all need to work together to stop this trend.

Level of the band: 8.5

The Right Way to Structure Your Essay
It works for all kinds of essays and gets a Band 8 and above:

In the beginning, rephrase the question
Say what you think or what the writing will be about

Body Paragraph 1:
Subject sentence
What it means
Example

Body Paragraph 2:
Subject sentence
What it means
Example

Body Paragraph 3 (Optional):
Only use for tricky questions or two different ideas

In the end, restate the main points
Give your final answer or view

Help with Words for Task 2

Your Lexical Resource score goes up if you have a large vocabulary. Here are some words and sentences to use in Band 8 and above:

Example Phrases for Function

Say what you think: I strongly believe, and most people agree that
Giving examples: On the other hand, In comparison, Still
Among other things, such as
To show cause and effect: Because of, Because of this
Conclusion: In short, to sum up, taking everything into account

Don’t use slang or contractions like won’t or can’t.

Things People Usually Do Wrong

Not more than 250 words
Using broken or slang words
Using the same words or ideas over and over
Do not answer all parts of the question
Writing about unrelated things
Thesis claims that are weak or not clear

How to Work Out at Home

Real questions can be found on ielts.org and in Cambridge IELTS books
Every day, write an article and go over it with Band Descriptors
Check your spelling with tools like Grammarly and Quillbot
Review with other people in IELTS Facebook groups

Summary of the Band Descriptors (Task 2)

 

Criteria Band 8: A Summary
Task Response: Fully covers all parts and builds on ideas well
Cohesion and Coherence: Organises information in a way that makes sense and uses integrated devices well
Lexical Resource: Uses a large language in a variety of ways
Correct Grammar and Usage: A lot of different designs, and almost no mistakes

Thoughts for Now
To do well on IELTS Writing Task 2, you need to know how to answer the question type, use structured responses, build your case, and stay away from common mistakes. The goal of these example answers and writing tips is to help you get at least a Band 8 on your test.

To get better, read good examples like the ones in this post, practise often, and learn from your mistakes.

Call to Action

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