IELTS Band 6 Plan Week 3: Writing Task 2 Essay Structure

This week's sessions

Tick each session when you finish it. Your ticks are saved only in this browser.

Day 1 · ✍️ Writing · about 25 minHow Task 2 is markedRead this week's lesson and the IELTS writing guide. Write down the three question types and how to answer each one.
Day 2 · ✍️ Writing · about 20 minEssay structure practiceComplete the practice set below on question types and paragraph structure.
Day 3 · 🔤 Vocabulary · about 20 minLinking words in contextStudy the linking words lesson, then do the linking practice set below.
Day 4 · ✍️ Writing · about 35 minPlan and write one essayPlan for 5 minutes and write for 30 on this topic. Then compare your essay with the model answer and mark one thing to improve.
Day 5 · ✍️ Writing · about 25 minGet a band estimatePaste yesterday's essay into the writing checker. Rewrite the paragraph with the lowest-scoring feature, then check it again.

This week's lesson: a clear four-paragraph essay

Task 2 counts for twice as much as Task 1, so it's the most important part of your Writing score. At band 6, examiners want to see that you answer every part of the question, organise your ideas into paragraphs, and write so that a reader can follow your meaning easily, even with some mistakes.

Step 1: Read the question carefully (2 minutes)

Find the topic and the task. There are three common tasks:

Opinion: To what extent do you agree or disagree? → give your view and keep it the same all the way through.
Discussion: Discuss both views and give your own opinion. → explain both sides, then say what you think.
Problem and solution / causes and effects: → answer both questions.

Many band 5 essays only answer half the question. Before you write, check: Have I planned something for every part?

Step 2: Plan (5 minutes)

Use this simple plan:

Introduction (2 sentences): say what the topic is in your own words, then give your answer.
Body paragraph 1: one main idea + why + an example.
Body paragraph 2: a second main idea + why + an example.
Conclusion (1–2 sentences): repeat your answer in different words.

Step 3: Write (30 minutes)

Aim for 260–290 words. Less than 250 words loses marks, and much more usually means more mistakes.

A strong body paragraph at band 6 looks like this:

One reason why many people prefer to work from home is that it saves time. For example, a worker who lives an hour from the city can spend two extra hours each day with their family instead of travelling. As a result, they may feel less tired and work more effectively.

It has a main idea, a reason, an example and a result, with linking words that show how the ideas connect.

Step 4: Check (3 minutes)

Check the things you often get wrong: verb endings (he works), plurals (many people), articles (the government) and spelling.

Try it

Look at this question: Some people think the best way to reduce traffic is to build more roads. Others believe public transport is the answer. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Before you write, check your plan: one paragraph for the first view, one for the second, and your opinion in the introduction and conclusion. If your plan only covers one view, it doesn't answer the question.

Useful linking words

Adding: also, in addition, furthermore
Contrasting: however, on the other hand, although
Giving examples: for example, for instance, such as
Results: as a result, therefore, so

Use them correctly rather than often. A linking word at the start of every sentence sounds unnatural.

Common traps at this level

No clear opinion when the question asks for one.
Copying the question in the introduction. Use your own words.
One long paragraph. Leave a clear space between paragraphs.
Learnt phrases that don't fit, such as "In this contemporary era of globalisation...". Simple and clear is better.

Practice for this week

Essay structure practice

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Linking words in context

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Weekly check: Writing practice 2

Do Task 1 and Task 2 in 60 minutes, then press Mark my writing.

Start the weekly check

When you finish, come back to your plan home: your dashboard updates with the new score.

Answers, explanations and transcripts

Finish the test first, then open each section to check your answers. Every answer has an explanation.

Essay structure practice

Answer key (7 answers)

#	Question	Answer	Why
1	'Some people think that children should start school at the age of four. To what extent do you agree or disagree?' What type of question is this?	An opinion essay	'To what extent do you agree or disagree?' asks for your opinion. Give one clear view and keep it the same all the way through.
2	'Many young people leave the countryside to live in cities. Why is this happening? What problems does it cause?' What must your essay do?	Answer both questions: the causes and the problems	There are two questions, so you need to answer both. Many band 5 essays only answer one part.
3	'Discuss both views and give your own opinion.' Where should your opinion appear?	In the introduction and the conclusion	State it briefly in the introduction and repeat it in the conclusion, so the reader always knows your position.
4	Which is the best introduction sentence for an essay about whether children should start school at four?	Opinions differ on whether formal education should begin as early as four years old.	Option B says the topic in your own words. A copies the question, C is too general, and D says nothing about the topic.
5	Which sentence would be the best first sentence of a body paragraph?	One advantage of starting school early is that children develop social skills sooner.	A body paragraph should start with its main idea. A is an example, C is too vague, and D is a result with no cause.
6	What is the best order for the sentences in a body paragraph?	Main idea, reason, example, result	Start with the main idea, explain why, give an example, then show the result or link back to the question.
7	How many words should you aim for in Task 2?	About 260 to 290	Fewer than 250 words loses marks. Much more than 300 usually means less time to check and more mistakes.

Linking words in context

Answer key (8 answers)

#	Question	Answer	Why
8	Many people enjoy living in cities. ______, the cost of housing can be very high.	However	The second sentence contrasts with the first, so you need a contrast word: However.
9	Public transport in the city is cheap and reliable. ______, fewer people need to own a car.	As a result	The second sentence is a result of the first.
10	Some jobs, ______ nursing and teaching, are difficult to do from home.	such as	'Such as' introduces examples inside a sentence.
11	______ working from home saves time, some people feel lonely.	Although	'Although' joins two contrasting ideas in one sentence: Although A, B.
12	Exercise improves physical health. ______, it can reduce stress.	In addition	The second sentence adds another benefit, so use an adding word.
13	Which sentence uses 'because' correctly?	People drive less because the price of fuel has risen.	'Because' is followed by a clause (subject + verb). 'Because of' is followed by a noun: because of the high price of fuel.
14	Which is the best way to start a conclusion?	In conclusion,	'In conclusion' or 'To sum up' tell the reader you're finishing your essay.
15	Which paragraph uses linking words naturally?	Cities are often busy and noisy. They can also be expensive, so many young families move to the suburbs.	B links ideas with 'also' and 'so' only where they're needed. A uses a linking word in every sentence, which sounds mechanical, and C uses them wrongly.

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