IELTS Writing Task 1 & 2 – Complete Structure, Band 9 Samples, and a 4‑Week Practice Plan

📌 At a Glance

Everything you need to master IELTS Writing – from Task 1 structure to Task 2 essay techniques

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Academic Task 1 Standard structure for describing charts, processes, and maps + samples

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General Task 1 Formal and informal letter writing with complete structure and key tips

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Task 2 Essay 4‑paragraph structure, question types, and Band 9 golden sentences

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4‑Week Plan A step‑by‑step self‑study plan to cement your writing skills

For many test‑takers, the IELTS Writing section is the scariest part of the exam. Writing an analytical report in 20 minutes and an argumentative essay in 40 minutes – in a language that isn’t your mother tongue – doesn’t sound easy. But the truth is that IELTS Writing follows a predictable, structured pattern far more than it demands creativity or natural talent. In this complete guide, we break down the exact structure of both tasks step by step, analyse real Band‑9 samples, and give you a 4‑week practice plan.

📑 Table of Contents

IELTS Writing – An Overview
Academic Task 1 – Structure & Question Types
General Task 1 – Professional Letter Writing
Task 2 – The Heart of IELTS Writing
Band Descriptors – Know What the Examiner Wants
Linking Words & Golden Sentences
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
4‑Week Practice Plan
Free Group Practice at OpenEnglish

IELTS Writing – An Overview

The IELTS Writing section, in both Academic and General Training, lasts 60 minutes and consists of two separate tasks. Task 1 must be at least 150 words, and Task 2 at least 250 words. Crucially, Task 2 carries twice the weight of Task 1 – so your time strategy should be: 20 minutes for Task 1, and 40 minutes for Task 2.

Most candidates ask, “Where do I start?” The simple answer: write Task 2 first. It’s worth more, and your mind is fresher at the beginning of the exam. Then move on to Task 1. This simple change in strategy can boost your score by up to 0.5 Band.

Academic Task 1 – Structure & Question Types

In Academic Task 1, you must describe a chart, table, map, or process in at least 150 words. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to analyse or conclude – just report the data objectively. The golden structure needed for Band 7 and above:

Standard 4‑Paragraph Structure

Paragraph 1 – Introduction: Paraphrase the topic in your own words. Never copy the question. Use verbs like illustrates, depicts, provides information about.
Paragraph 2 – Overview: The most important part! State 2–3 overall trends or main differences without mentioning specific numbers. This paragraph is mandatory for Band 6+. For example: “Overall, both categories increased, but X grew more dramatically than Y.”
Paragraph 3 – Body 1 (first group details): Describe specific data with numbers and percentages. Use comparisons: “while”, “whereas”, “compared to”.
Paragraph 4 – Body 2 (second group details): Continue the analysis with more data. Be careful to read the numbers accurately – rounding errors lose marks.

Academic Task 1 Question Types

You may encounter one of the following. Each requires its own specific vocabulary:

Line Graph: Shows trends over time. Key words: increased, declined, fluctuated, peaked at, plateaued.
Bar Chart: Compares data across categories. Use: “highest”, “lowest”, “twice as much as”.
Pie Chart: Shows proportions and percentages. Useful phrases: accounted for, represented, made up, the largest proportion.
Table: Numerical data in rows and columns. Detect patterns quickly and compare.
Process Diagram: Stages of a cycle or manufacturing process. Use the passive voice frequently: “is heated”, “are mixed”, “is then transferred”.
Map: Changes to a place over time. Use prepositions of place: “to the north of”, “adjacent to”, “was replaced by”.

General Task 1 – Professional Letter Writing

In the General test, Task 1 is a letter written in response to an everyday situation. The tone depends on the recipient and is a key marking criterion:

Formal Letter: To a manager, organisation, or someone you don’t know. Tone: respectful, no contractions. Opening: “Dear Sir/Madam”, closing: “Yours faithfully”.
Semi‑Formal Letter: To a colleague, teacher, or landlord. Tone: polite but warm. Opening: “Dear Mr. Smith”, closing: “Kind regards”.
Informal Letter: To a friend or acquaintance. Tone: casual and friendly. Opening: “Hi Sarah”, closing: “Take care”.

Standard structure: Paragraph 1 – reason for writing. Paragraphs 2 & 3 – answer the bullet points in the question. Paragraph 4 – summary and closing sentence.

Task 2 – The Heart of IELTS Writing (double value)

Task 2 is a short essay of at least 250 words, to be written in 40 minutes. Topics range from social issues, education, technology, environment, and health. The standard, proven structure you need for Band 7+:

The Golden 4‑Paragraph Structure

Paragraph 1 – Introduction: 2–3 sentences. Sentence 1: paraphrase the topic. Sentence 2: state your opinion or overall thesis. Sentence 3 (optional): outline the body content.
Paragraph 2 – Body 1: First main idea + explanation + specific example. “On the one hand...”, “Firstly...”.
Paragraph 3 – Body 2: Second main idea + explanation + specific example. “On the other hand...”, “Secondly...”. For Opinion essays, you can write one paragraph for and one against.
Paragraph 4 – Conclusion: 2–3 sentences. Summarise your final position and restate the thesis in different words. Never introduce new ideas in the conclusion.

Task 2 Question Types

Each type requires a slightly different response structure. Knowing them is the key to a high score:

Opinion (Agree/Disagree): “To what extent do you agree or disagree?” – Take a clear stance and defend it throughout. Best structure: one paragraph for reasons to agree, one for reasons to disagree (but emphasise your own view).
Discussion (Discuss Both Views): “Discuss both sides and give your opinion.” – Explain both perspectives fairly and state your own opinion in the conclusion.
Problem & Solution: “What are the problems and what solutions can you suggest?” – Causes & problems in Body 1, solutions in Body 2.
Advantages & Disadvantages: “Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?” – Compare pros and cons and conclude which is weightier.
Two‑Part Questions: “Why is this happening? What can be done?” – Answer each part of the question in a separate body paragraph.

Band Descriptors – Know What the Examiner Wants

Your Writing is scored on four criteria, each contributing 25%:

Task Achievement / Task Response: Have you fully answered all parts of the question? Is the word count sufficient? In Task 1, have you included an overview?
Coherence & Cohesion: Is your paragraphing logical? Have you used linking words correctly? Do your ideas flow naturally?
Lexical Resource (Vocabulary): How wide is your vocabulary range? Do you use collocations? Is your spelling accurate?
Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Do you use a variety of structures (conditionals, passives, relative clauses)? Are there few grammatical errors?

                    💡 Golden tip: Many test‑takers focus solely on grammar and neglect Task Achievement. But if you don’t fully answer the question, even flawless grammar won’t get you above a 6. Always make sure you’ve covered every part of the prompt first.
                

Linking Words & Golden Sentences for Band 7+

Clever use of linking words makes the difference between an ordinary essay and a professional one. But a warning: don’t overuse them – write naturally. Here are the most useful ones, grouped by function:

Adding an idea: Furthermore, Moreover, In addition, Additionally
Showing contrast: However, On the other hand, Nevertheless, Although, Despite
Expressing result: Therefore, Consequently, As a result, Hence
Giving an example: For instance, For example, To illustrate, Such as
Stating an opinion: In my opinion, I firmly believe that, From my perspective, It seems to me that

For Academic Task 1, these phrases are essential: It is clear that, Overall, In comparison, With regard to, By contrast, Respectively.

Common IELTS Writing Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Copying the question: If you copy the prompt word‑for‑word, those words are deducted from your count! Always paraphrase.
Skipping the Overview in Task 1: Without an overview, your Task Achievement won’t rise above 5. Always include a short paragraph for the overall trend.
Under‑length writing: Fewer than 150 words (Task 1) or 250 words (Task 2) means direct penalty. Always write 10–20 extra words.
Using irrelevant memorised chunks: A beautiful sentence that doesn’t fit the topic won’t save your score – it will hurt it.
No time for proofreading: Always reserve the last 2–3 minutes to scan and correct small mistakes (spelling, third‑person ‘s’, etc.).

4‑Week IELTS Writing Practice Plan

If you have 1 hour a day, follow this intensive schedule:

Week 1: Learn the Task 1 structure (all chart types). Write one chart description per day in 20 minutes. Focus on the Overview and paraphrasing.
Week 2: Learn the Task 2 structure (different question types). Write 4 full essays. Practise paragraphing and your thesis statement.
Week 3: Combine Task 1 and Task 2 under real timed conditions (60 minutes). Complete 4 full simulated tests.
Week 4: Review and analyse mistakes. Read Band‑9 samples and compare them to your own writing. To build your ideas, listen to news podcasts.

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Free Group Writing & Speaking Practice at OpenEnglish

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