Understand each essay type the IELTS examiner might give you — and learn the exact structure to use for a high score every time.
What You’ll Learn on This Page
📘 What You’ll Learn on This Page
There are 8 types of IELTS Writing Task 2 essays, and each one asks for something slightly different. On this page, you’ll learn:
What each question type really wants from you
Which structure to follow for each one
Where students often go wrong — and how to avoid it
If you confuse one type with another, you can lose marks even if your ideas are good. But once you know what each task is asking, everything gets easier — and you can start focusing on your writing instead of second-guessing the format.
🧠 The 8 IELTS Essay Types Explained
1. Opinion Essay
What’s this?
You’re given a statement and asked whether you agree or disagree. You need to explain your opinion clearly and support it with reasons and examples.
Typical wording:
Do you agree or disagree?
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Is this a positive or negative development?
Advice:
You can sit halfway if you want to — but it’s often easier to choose one side and stick with it. That makes your structure clearer and helps avoid repetition.
2. Discussion Essay
What’s this?
You’re asked to discuss two opposing views and give your own opinion. You need to explain both sides fairly and then say which one you agree with.
Typical wording:
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Advice:
Even if you disagree with one side, you still need to explain it clearly. You can take a balanced view, but many students find it easier to support one side with stronger reasoning.
3. Advantages / Disadvantages Essay
What’s this?
You’re asked to outline the main advantages and disadvantages of a topic. Most of the time, you don’t need to give your opinion.
Typical wording:
What are the advantages and disadvantages?
Advice:
Keep a neutral tone. Just explain both sides clearly — don’t argue for or against unless the task specifically tells you to.
4. Outweigh Essay
What’s this?
You’re asked to say whether the advantages or disadvantages are stronger. You must pick one and build a case for why it matters more.
Typical wording:
Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Advice:
This is not a 50/50 essay. You’re expected to choose a side and support it clearly — usually by showing that one side is minor and the other is more serious or long-term.
5. Problem / Solution Essay
What’s this?
You’re given a situation that causes problems and asked to suggest a solution.
Typical wording:
What problems does this cause and what can be done to solve them?
Advice:
Make sure your solution fits the problem. A vague idea won’t be enough — it needs to be realistic and clearly explained.
6. Cause / Solution Essay
What’s this?
Instead of describing the problem, you’re asked to explain why it’s happening and what can be done about it.
Typical wording:
What is the cause of this problem and how can it be solved?
Advice:
Focus on the reason — not the effects. Then suggest one good solution that directly addresses that cause.
7. Double Question Essay
What’s this?
You’re asked two separate questions about the same topic. You need to answer both, clearly and separately.
Typical wording:
Why is this happening?
Is it a positive or negative development?
Advice:
Don’t try to combine your answers. Give each question its own paragraph so everything stays clear and focused.
8. “Which Do You Agree With?” Essay
What’s this?
You’re shown two views and asked to say which one you agree with. You only need to explain the side you support — not both.
Typical wording:
Some people believe X, while others think Y. Which do you agree with?
Advice:
Treat this like a normal opinion essay. You can explain why one view makes more sense — no need to discuss both sides unless you really want to.