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IELTS Writing Task 2: How to Read the Question Properly

Why This Matters

If you don’t fully understand the question, nothing else you write matters.

You can have perfect grammar, a flawless structure, and elegant vocabulary — and still score Band 6 because your essay misses the point.

Examiners call this poor Task Response, and it’s one of the most common reasons candidates never break Band 7.

This page is here to fix that.

What the Examiner Sees When You Get It Wrong

Imagine a question asks:
What are the causes of this problem, and how can it be solved?

But you write about:

  • Why the problem is serious

  • What you think about it

  • Whether governments or individuals are responsible

That’s a fail. Not because your English is bad — but because you didn’t do what you were told.
The test is called Task 2 for a reason.

The Truth About IELTS Writing Questions

Most questions follow familiar patterns.

You don’t need to be a genius — you just need to train your brain to spot what the examiner is really asking.

Here’s the golden rule:
If you misread the task, your whole essay collapses.

Step-by-Step: How to Read the Question Properly

1. Spot the Essay Type

This tells you which structure to use. No guesswork. Just label it and load the right skeleton.

Question Phrase Essay Type
Do you agree or disagree? Opinion
To what extent do you agree? Opinion
Discuss both views and give your opinion Discussion
What are the advantages and disadvantages? Advantage / Disadvantage
Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? Outweigh
What problems does this cause? How can it be solved? Problem / Solution
What is the cause of this problem and how can it be solved? Cause / Solution
What questions does this raise? What are the possible answers? Double Question
Which view do you agree with? ‘Which Do You Agree With?’ Variant

If you mislabel the essay, you’ll use the wrong structure, and your score sinks.

2. Turn the Statement into a Question

This is your secret weapon.

It forces your brain to interact with the task and stops you from skimming.

Example:
Large numbers of people are now able to travel overseas thanks to the growth of budget airlines.
→ Is this a positive or negative development?

Now answer that question in your head before you write.
This works for every type — especially for Discussion and Outweigh essays.

3. Identify the Keywords (Not Just the Topic)

Every question has a general topic and a specific angle.

  • Topic: international travel

  • Angle: budget airlines, positive or negative development

Don’t write a generic essay about tourism.
Don’t go off on climate change or airplane safety.

Write about the effects of cheap air travel on communities and economies.

The examiner will know instantly whether you spotted the angle — or just regurgitated something you learned.

Warning: Two-Part Questions Are Where Good Students Fail

Example:
Many young children have unsupervised access to the internet and are using it to socialise with others.
This can lead to dangerous situations.
What problems do children face? How can these be solved?

If you don’t structure your brainstorm around those exact two questions, your whole essay falls apart.

It doesn’t matter how strong your English is — if you write about screen time or the internet in general, it’s a Band 6.

Final Word

This is the simplest skill that makes the biggest difference.

Before you write:

  1. Identify the type

  2. Turn it into a question

  3. Focus your answer on the keywords — not the general topic

Don’t guess. Don’t improvise.

If you don’t understand the question, stop and read it again.

Want to Practise?

Try this one:

Some people think that parents should teach children how to be good members of society.
Others believe this should be taught in schools.
Discuss both these views and give your opinion.

  • What’s the type?

  • What’s the question behind the statement?

  • How would you answer it — clearly, and directly?

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