Task 2: understanding the question and planning
Five minutes of planning saves an essay that answers the wrong question.
15 minutes · A free lesson from Writing
Task 2 is an essay of at least 250 words, written in about 40 minutes, and it is worth twice as much as Task 1. Most questions are one of five kinds:
| Question type | What it asks | What you must do |
|---|---|---|
| Opinion | "To what extent do you agree or disagree?" | Give a clear position and keep to it. |
| Discussion | "Discuss both views and give your own opinion." | Explain both views, then your own. |
| Advantages / disadvantages | "Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?" | Weigh them and say which is greater. |
| Problem / solution | "What problems does this cause? How can they be solved?" | Answer both parts. |
| Two-part question | Two separate direct questions | Answer each one fully. |
Quick check: "Discuss both views and give your own opinion." What must the essay include?
- Only the view you agree with
- Both views, and your opinion
- Both views, but no opinion
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B: Both views, and your opinion — All three parts are required: view one, view two, and your own opinion.
Lesson quiz
Check what you have learned. Choose an answer to see whether it is right, and why.
Quick check: “Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?” What must you do?
- Weigh them and say which is greater
- List only the advantages
- Describe only the disadvantages
Show the answer
A: Weigh them and say which is greater — This question asks for a judgement, not just two lists.
Quick check: A problem and solution question asks two things. How many must you answer?
- Either one
- Both
- Only the first
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B: Both — Leaving out part of the question costs Task Response.
Quick check: When should you decide your position?
- In the conclusion
- Halfway through the essay
- Before you start writing
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C: Before you start writing — Changing your mind in the conclusion is the quickest way to lose Task Response marks.
Quick check: About how long should you spend planning?
- Thirty seconds
- Twenty minutes
- Five minutes
Show the answer
C: Five minutes — Five minutes of planning saves an essay that answers the wrong question.
Marked as soon as you finish — free with an account.Practise now