IELTS Writing Task 2: Understanding and Improving Your Essay Skills

Welcome to IELTS General Training Writing Task 2!

In this task, you are required to write an essay in response to a question or statement. Your essay should present a clear argument, supported with reasons and examples.

Examiners will assess your work based on four equally weighted criteria:

• Task Response
• Coherence and Cohesion
• Lexical Resource
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy

It’s important to remember that Task 2 carries more weight in your overall Writing score compared to Task 1.

You will have 40 minutes to complete this task, so it’s essential to plan your time wisely. Aim to write at least 250 words, allowing time to plan, write, and review your essay carefully.

Your Task

Some people believe that working from home is more beneficial for employees, while others think that working in an office is better for productivity and collaboration.

Discuss the advantages of both work arrangements and give your own opinion.

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

Write at least 250 words.

Now, let’s look at an example for Writing Task 2. Reading examples will help you understand how to apply the guidelines and strategies effectively.

How to Approach IELTS Writing Task 2

Let’s take a closer look at what it really means to write a high-scoring Task 2 essay. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements for achieving a Band 9, along with practical tips and examples to guide you.

Achieving a Band 9 in IELTS Writing Task 2 requires not just good English but smart strategy. Here are the key things to keep in mind:

• Stay focused and relevant — Always address every part of the question. Avoid going off-topic or adding unnecessary details.
• Ensure smooth flow — Connect your ideas logically using cohesive devices and clear paragraphing. Make your essay easy for the examiner to follow.
• Use a wide range of vocabulary — Show your flexibility with words. Try not to repeat the same terms; use synonyms and appropriate academic phrases.
• Demonstrate strong grammar — Show control by using a mix of sentence types: simple, compound, complex. Aim for accuracy and variety at the same time.

Band 5 – 5.5 Response Example

Nowadays, many people believe that working from home is better, while others say it is important to work in an office. Both sides have their points, and I will talk about them and give my opinion in this essay.

Working at home is good because people can stay home and don’t need to wear proper clothes like suits or uniforms. It’s also better because they don’t have to get up early for going to the office. If people don’t spend time on traffic, they will not feel tired in the morning and can focus. For example, one of my friends who works in a big company told me he loves working in his pajamas because it feels like he is on holiday. It also helps to save money for fuel or public transport, which is better for everyone, especially students who work part-time.

In an office, people have their tools like printers and computers. Also, it’s easy to talk about work stuff when people are face-to-face, which makes their job easier. For instance, when you have a problem, your boss can fix it for you right away. Some people don’t like working from home because they have kids or other noises like their dog barking, which makes it hard to focus. Offices have more space and good air conditioners that make working easier than being at home.

I think working from home is better for most people because they can work when they want, even late at night. Mixing both is good too, but mostly I prefer staying at home. I think it’s better for health and for relaxing more while doing your job.

In conclusion, both have their good and bad points, but home is better. You don’t need to worry about how you look or what people think about you. Working in offices is only good for big meetings, but these days, we can use apps like Zoom, so it’s not very important.

Band 8 – 9 Response Example

The debate surrounding remote work versus office-based work has become increasingly relevant in today’s rapidly evolving work environment. While each arrangement offers distinct advantages, the most effective choice often hinges on the nature of the job, organizational goals, and individual preferences. This essay will critically examine the benefits of both work settings and present a balanced perspective on the matter.

Remote work provides unparalleled flexibility, significantly enhancing work-life balance. Employees can eliminate time-consuming commutes, allowing them to allocate more time to personal development and professional productivity. This autonomy often translates into higher job satisfaction and improved mental well-being. Additionally, working from home enables individuals to curate a distraction-free environment tailored to their specific needs, fostering deep concentration and efficiency. For instance, a study conducted by a leading consultancy firm found that remote employees experienced a 20% boost in productivity due to fewer workplace interruptions and the ability to customize their schedules to align with their peak performance hours. Furthermore, remote work can lead to substantial cost savings for both employees and employers, with reduced expenses related to transportation, office rent, and daily sustenance.

On the other hand, office-based work fosters seamless collaboration and strengthens professional relationships through face-to-face interactions. The physical presence of colleagues encourages spontaneous brainstorming sessions, which often result in innovative solutions that may not arise in virtual meetings. Moreover, in-office work provides immediate access to essential resources such as specialized equipment and IT support, ensuring operational efficiency. The structured environment of an office cultivates discipline and minimizes the potential distractions that remote workers might encounter at home, such as household responsibilities or social isolation. A case in point is multinational corporations that prioritize office-based work for projects demanding extensive cross-functional coordination and real-time decision-making, demonstrating the irreplaceable value of in-person collaboration.

In my opinion, a hybrid work model that strategically integrates remote and office-based work offers the most effective solution. Remote work enhances individual productivity and well-being, while the office environment remains crucial for fostering innovation and teamwork. A flexible approach, where employees attend the office for collaborative tasks and work remotely for assignments requiring deep focus, optimally balances productivity with employee satisfaction. Companies that adopt such a model can harness the strengths of both settings, ultimately driving performance and employee engagement.

In conclusion, both remote and office-based work arrangements offer unique benefits, and the ideal choice depends on the specific requirements of the role and the individual’s working style. By embracing a hybrid model, organizations can achieve a synergy that maximizes efficiency, creativity, and employee well-being in today’s dynamic work landscape.

Comparing Band 5 and Band 9

Similarities Between Response 1 and Response 2

• Task Response: Both essays address the task by discussing the advantages of both working from home and working in an office. Each response presents a clear position and finishes with a conclusion that summarizes key points.
• Coherence and Cohesion: Both writers use cohesive devices like for example and in conclusion to guide the reader, even if the effectiveness varies.
• Use of Examples: Both responses include examples — one using personal anecdotes, the other using formal evidence.
• Lexical Resource: Both use topic-related vocabulary like productivity and collaboration in their essays.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Both responses try to vary their sentence types, though with different levels of accuracy and complexity.

Differences Between Response 1 and Response 2

• Band 5 essays: Basic and repetitive, with limited vocabulary and frequent grammar mistakes. Writers tend to repeat simple words and struggle with sentence variety. Ideas are not deeply explored, and transitions often feel awkward or forced.
• Band 9 essays: Highly developed, with rich arguments, detailed examples, sophisticated vocabulary, and flexible grammar. Ideas flow naturally and the writing feels polished, clear, and convincing.

Reflection

Take a moment to reflect: Based on what you’ve learned today, how would you approach your next Writing Task 2 essay? Think about balancing clear, developed ideas with rich vocabulary and varied grammar. Always plan carefully, structure logically, and proofread to produce a polished, high-quality essay. Practice regularly, and you’ll see steady improvement toward your target band!