IELTS Writing Task 2: Band 7 Structure and Paragraph Practice

A useful IELTS Task 2 structure starts with the instructions, not a memorised introduction. This guide helps you decide what your paragraphs need to do for five common question patterns, then practise developing an idea. Band 7 is a preparation target here, not a score guaranteed by a template.

Five planning patterns · Try a paragraph exercise · Fifteen practice prompts · Continue into Writing practice

What structure can—and cannot—do for a Band 7 target

The official Task 2 band descriptors consider how you answer and develop the task, connect ideas, choose vocabulary and control grammar. Effective paragraphs help a reader follow the argument; they cannot compensate for ignoring part of the question. One promising paragraph is not enough to establish a band for an entire response.

This is the planning companion to our Task 2 guide with a complete original essay. Use that page to see a response from introduction to conclusion. Use this page when you need to identify the demands of a new prompt and decide what belongs in each paragraph.

Five common IELTS essay question patterns

These labels organise practice; they are not five official templates with fixed paragraph counts. Read the full instruction because two questions on the same topic can require different arguments. The outlines below are possibilities you can adapt.

1. Opinion: state your degree of agreement

Original example: All university students should complete a short work placement before graduating. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

A possible position is that placements are valuable but should not be compulsory when suitable opportunities are unavailable. Your first body paragraph could explain the benefit of applying knowledge at work. Your next could examine unequal access and support the limit you placed on your agreement. Return to that position in the conclusion.

Check: “There are advantages and disadvantages” does not by itself tell the reader how far you agree with making the placement compulsory.

2. Discussion: explain both views and your own judgement

Original example: Some people think cities should spend more on public transport, while others prefer improvements to roads. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Explain why road improvements may help journeys poorly served by existing transport. Then explain why dependable shared transport could serve many travellers without each using a car. Your own judgement could prioritise public transport while allowing targeted road maintenance. Make the judgement explicit and support it rather than treating the two views as a list.

Check: If you simply repeat each viewpoint, the reader still does not know why someone might reasonably hold it.

3. Causes and solutions: connect the proposed action to the cause

Original example: Some town centres have many empty shops. What might cause this problem, and what could local authorities do about it?

Choose a cause you can explain, such as premises that are unsuitable for small businesses. A matching solution could be allowing larger vacant units to be divided into affordable spaces. You could discuss each cause immediately with its solution, or group the causes and then address them in the same order.

Check: “The government should raise awareness” is incomplete unless you explain whose behaviour needs to change and how that would address the cause you identified.

4. Advantages and disadvantages: notice whether a judgement is requested

Original example: More employers allow staff to choose their working hours. Do the advantages of this arrangement outweigh the disadvantages?

One paragraph could explain the coordination problem when colleagues work at different times. Another could explain benefits for staff with caring responsibilities and show why a limited period of shared availability could reduce the drawback. The word outweigh requires a judgement about the balance, not merely one advantage and one disadvantage.

Check: A prompt that asks only for advantages and disadvantages has a different instruction from one that asks whether advantages outweigh disadvantages. Do not answer an added question while neglecting the one given.

5. Two direct questions: answer each one clearly

Original example: Some adults take short courses unrelated to their jobs. Why do they do this? Do you think it is a positive development?

A first body paragraph might explain motivations such as curiosity or meeting people. A second could evaluate the development, with a specific benefit and a reasonable limit. Connect the evaluation to the motivations instead of writing two unrelated mini-essays.

Check: A detailed explanation of why adults take courses does not answer whether you consider the change positive.

Try developing one paragraph

Return to the flexible-working-hours question above. Which version does more to explain the claimed benefit?

Version A: Flexible hours are very good for workers. They have many advantages and are beneficial to society. Therefore, employers should introduce them because they are useful.

Version B: Flexible starting times can help employees with caring responsibilities keep their jobs. A parent might begin earlier while a partner handles the school journey, then finish in time to collect their child. If the team agrees on a shared period for meetings, this arrangement can make work more manageable without preventing colleagues from collaborating.

See the explanation and try the next revision

Version B develops the idea. It identifies who benefits, illustrates how the benefit occurs, and deals with a relevant limitation. Version A repeats its judgement in different words without adding a reason.

Now add a final sentence explaining why this benefit may outweigh the coordination drawback. One possibility is: “For teams that can organise essential collaboration within those shared hours, retaining experienced staff may be more valuable than having everyone arrive at the same time.” This is a conditional argument, not a claim about a measured company result.

Neither extract has an examiner-awarded band. Use the explanation to revise your own paragraph, then check whether it fits your complete essay.

Use linking words to express a relationship

Before adding however, identify the contrast. Before adding therefore, check that the preceding reason supports the conclusion. Repeating “moreover” does not create a new idea.

For example, these statements do not yet explain their relationship: “Some employees choose early starts. Teams need meetings.” A clearer connection is: “Although employees may choose different starting times, teams can reserve a shared period for meetings.” The clause makes the contrast explicit without needing several linking phrases.

Mix shorter statements with sentences that express conditions, causes or contrasts when those relationships are useful. Complexity should serve your meaning. If a long sentence hides your point, split it and check that the connection remains clear.

Fifteen prompts for your next planning sessions

These are practice prompts, not verified upcoming exam questions. Choose one, write a position and paragraph purposes, then draft your response. Open a group to see its three prompts.

Opinion: three prompts

1. Children should begin learning a foreign language in primary school rather than waiting until secondary school. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
2. Many people think that the internet has made people more isolated from each other. To what extent do you agree with this view?
3. Some believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school education. Do you agree or disagree?

Discussion: three prompts

1. Some people think that the government should invest more in public transport, while others believe road infrastructure for private vehicles should be the priority. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
2. Some argue that success is mainly the result of hard work, while others believe it depends largely on luck and circumstances. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
3. Some people think advertising encourages people to buy things they do not need, while others believe advertising provides useful information. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Causes and solutions: three prompts

1. In many large cities, air pollution has become a serious health concern. What are the causes of this problem, and what solutions can governments implement?
2. Obesity rates among children have risen significantly in many countries in recent years. What are the causes of this trend, and what measures can be taken to address it?
3. Many university graduates today struggle to find jobs related to their field of study. What are the reasons for this, and what can be done to solve it?

Advantages and disadvantages: three prompts

1. Many companies now allow employees to choose their own working hours instead of a fixed schedule. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this arrangement?
2. An increasing number of people are choosing to live in smaller households rather than with extended family. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?
3. Some schools have replaced printed textbooks with tablets and digital learning materials. Do the advantages of this change outweigh the disadvantages?

Two direct questions: three prompts

1. In many countries, fewer young people are choosing careers in agriculture. Why is this happening? Is this a positive or negative development?
2. Social media influencers have become significant figures in advertising and marketing. What are the reasons for this? Do you think this trend will continue?
3. More people today choose to travel and gain work experience before settling into a permanent career. What are the reasons for this? Do you view this as beneficial or harmful?

Check the plan before writing the whole essay

• Every instruction has an answer in your outline.
• Your position addresses the particular proposal, including words such as “all”, “most” or “compulsory”.
• Each body paragraph has a different job and enough reasoning to perform it.
• Examples are relevant and clearly illustrative rather than invented research.
• Your conclusion follows from the argument and keeps the same overall position.

Then write the essay and check it as a complete response. The official IELTS Writing preparation resources provide further guidance and sample tasks. Official references were checked on 20 September 2026.

Practise the structure with your own answer

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