IELTS Task 2 · Essay type
IELTS Task 2 Advantages & Disadvantages Essay
This type asks you to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of something. Watch the wording: if the prompt asks whether advantages outweigh disadvantages, you must give a clear verdict — not just list both.
In short
- Prompt cues: "What are the advantages and disadvantages?", "Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?"
- Use the four-paragraph plan below — introduction, two developed body paragraphs, conclusion.
- Band 7 needs a clear, sustained response, a range of cohesive devices, some less common vocabulary, and mostly error-free complex sentences.
The paragraph plan
What goes in each paragraph for a advantages & disadvantages prompt.
| Paragraph | What it contains |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Paraphrase the topic. For an 'outweigh' prompt, state your verdict here (which side is greater). |
| Body 1 | The main advantage(s) — explained and illustrated, not just listed. |
| Body 2 | The main disadvantage(s), developed the same way. |
| Conclusion | Summarise both; for an 'outweigh' prompt, restate your verdict clearly. |
What caps this essay type at Band 6.5
- Ignoring the 'outweigh' wording and giving no verdict — a direct Task Response failure.
- Listing many points with no development.
- Giving an opinion when the prompt only asks you to describe both.
- Unbalanced coverage of the two sides.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I recognise an IELTS Task 2 advantages & disadvantages prompt?
"What are the advantages and disadvantages?", "Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?"
How many words and how long for Task 2?
At least 250 words in about 40 minutes. Task 2 is worth roughly two-thirds of your IELTS Writing band, so give it the larger share of the hour.
How is the essay scored?
On four equal criteria: Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy — each 25%.
How many paragraphs should I write?
Four: introduction, two developed body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Depth of development matters more than the number of paragraphs.
Can I get my essay marked against the criteria?
Yes. The Writing Correction Service marks IELTS Task 1 and Task 2 against all four official criteria with line-by-line feedback and a predicted band score in 48 hours.
Other Task 2 essay types: Opinion (Agree / Disagree) · Discussion (Both Views) · Problem & Solution · Two-Part (Direct) Question · Task 2 overview
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