IELTS Writing Task 2

1. Task 2 weighs more than Task 1

2. There are 4 major types of questions:
a. How a problem can be solved?
b. Discuss both points and give your opinion
c. Do you agree or disagree with the question?
d. What do you think are advantages and disadvantages?
3. Always spend time to prepare the answer and think of a structure
4. Model structure for every essay is the following
5. So, let’s start with a model essay, which I prepared for you
6. More and more qualified people are moving from poor to rich countries to fill vacancies
in specialist areas like engineering, computing and medicine.
Some people believe that by encouraging the movement of such people, rich countries
are stealing from poor countries. Others feel that this is only part of the natural
movement of workers around the world. Do you agree or disagree?
7. When you have to discuss two different views, you have to:
1) Present both views.
2) Evaluate the strength of the arguments on both sides.
3) Challenge the ideas you disagree with and support the ideas you agree with by
providing examples and evidence.
4) Remember that you don’t have to totally agree with one of the views. Express your own
opinion, whatever it is.
8. Step 1: Underline key words in the exam question. This will help you focus your answer on
the key points, then brainstorm ideas for both sides of the argument, that is, both for and
against the issue.
Step 2: Have a clear introduction telling the reader briefly what areas you are going to
cover, you can paraphrase. In your introduction, re-word the question showing the topic
clearly and state the opinion(s) that you will go on to discuss.
Step 3: Show clear links between the main argument and the supporting arguments.
Step 4: Remember that each paragraph should have one main argument – start a new
paragraph when you start a new main idea. Make it clear which side of an argument you
are presenting and when you are giving your own opinion. Make sure you justify each point
with clear supporting material. Develop contrasting views, problems and solutions,
advantages and disadvantages. Do not forget to provide a logical argument wherever you
refute the opposing opinion.
Step 5: Provide a strong conclusion.
Conclude your essay by summarising the main points and stating your own personal view.

Darian Sandmartin // IELTS tips YouTube: www.youtube.com/DarianSandmartin

 The model structure of an essay for the Task 2
Introduction
Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question
Sentence 2- Thesis Statement (It is agreed…/It is disagreed…/This essay agrees/disagrees…)
Sentence 3- Outline Sentence (This essay will discuss….)
Main Body Paragraph 1
Sentence 1- Topic Sentence
Sentence 2- Explain Topic Sentence
Sentence 3- Example
Main Body Paragraph 2
Sentence 1- Topic Sentence
Sentence 2- Explain Topic Sentence
Sentence 3- Example
Conclusion
Sentence 1- Summary and opinion

The essay
The so-called ‘brain drain’ from poor to rich countries is now robbing poorer countries of
essential personnel like doctors, nurses, engineers, and the trend is set to continue, if not to get
worse. I will try to discuss both views on the issue and present my opinion. Some people say this
movement of people around the world is not a new phenomenon.
Migrant workers have always been attracted by the wider choice of employment and greater
opportunity in major cities in their own countries and abroad. Recently, as the technological age
has advanced and as richer countries find themselves with not enough workers to feed their
development, they have had to run to other parts of the world to find the necessary manpower.
Many richer European countries, for example, are now trying to attract skilled IT-specialists from
my home country Russia by offering higher salaries than they could hope to earn at home. With the
globalisation of the world economy, many people feel that the process cannot be stopped.
Others, myself included, are of the opinion that measures should be taken to address the
problem, by compensating poorer countries financially for the loss of investment in the people they
have trained, like doctors and nurses. Admittedly, this may be cumbersome to administer, but an
attempt could be made to get it off the ground. Another step, which in part has already begun to
happen, is to use the forces of globalization itself. Western countries could encourage people to
stay in their own countries by direct investment in projects like computer factories or by sending
patients abroad for treatment, as is already happening.
It is obviously difficult to restrict the movement of people around the world and it is probably
foolish to try to stop it, but attempts should be made to redress the imbalance.
(300 words)

Darian Sandmartin // IELTS tips YouTube: www.youtube.com/DarianSandmartin