In IELTS Writing Task 2, you are given an essay question that requires a minimum of 250 words to be written within 40 minutes. There are various types of essays that can be asked in this task. Let’s discuss each type in detail:

1. Discussion and Opinion Based Essay:

This is a common type of IELTS Writing Task 2 essay. You are required to discuss two opposing opinions provided in the question statement and present your personal opinion as well. For example:

Some people think that using animals for food and transportation should be completely banned. On the other hand, others believe that using animals for meat and experiments is fair.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

2. Agree/Disagree Essay:

In this type of essay, you are given a statement and you need to express whether you agree or disagree with it. You can also partially agree or partially disagree, but it is recommended to present a clear and strong opinion. For example:

Crime rate has increased with the advancement of technology.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

3. Two-Part Essay:

This essay type consists of two parts in the question, and you need to address both parts separately. Each part requires a specific response. For example:

Many children have become habitual about excessively using mobile applications day and night.

Why do you think this is so?

What can parents do to avoid this situation from declining further?

4. Compare and Contrast Essay:

In this type of essay, you are asked to compare and contrast two objects or ideas by highlighting their similarities and differences. For example:

Some people prefer living in houses, while others believe apartments are better than houses.

Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of living in houses and apartments.

5. Problems and Solutions Essay:

This essay type focuses on identifying problems related to a specific topic and providing suitable solutions for those problems. For example:

Traffic congestion has become a major issue in cities.

What problems do people face due to traffic?

Discuss possible solutions to overcome this issue.

6. Causes (Reasons) and Solutions Essay:

Similar to the Problems and Solutions essay, this type explores the causes or reasons behind a particular issue and suggests appropriate solutions. It can be divided into three parts (causes, reasons, solutions) or two parts (causes and solutions). For example:

Pollution has drastically increased with more people switching to personal vehicles.

What are the causes of pollution?

Discuss the solutions to overcome the problem of pollution.

7. Advantages and Disadvantages Essay:

In this type of essay, you need to present both the advantages and disadvantages of a particular topic in order to fulfill the task requirements. For example:

Online payment is increasingly becoming the most preferred method of payment compared to cash or other payment methods.

What are the advantages of making online payments?

What are the disadvantages?

These are the main types of essays you may encounter in IELTS Writing Task 2. It’s important to understand the specific requirements of each essay type and structure your response accordingly to maximize your score.