IELTS Writing Overview: Task 1 vs Task 2

Many IELTS candidates struggle to balance their time and preparation between Writing Task 1 and Task 2. While both are part of the same section, they test different skills and have unique requirements. Understanding the differences — and how to approach each — is key to achieving a high band score. Let's break it all down.

What’s the Structure of the IELTS Writing Test?

The IELTS Writing test is 60 minutes long and consists of two tasks:

• Task 1: Report or letter writing (150 words minimum)
• Task 2: Essay writing (250 words minimum)

You’re advised to spend 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2 — since Task 2 contributes more to your final writing score.

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Task 1 vs Task 2: Key Differences

Feature	Writing Task 1	Writing Task 2
Word Count	150 words minimum	250 words minimum
Time Allocation	20 minutes	40 minutes
Task Type	Academic: Describe visual data General: Write a letter	Both: Write an essay
Purpose	Factual description or formal/informal communication	Argumentative or discursive writing
Weight in Scoring	~33% of writing score	~66% of writing score
Style	Formal/Neutral (Academic), Formal/Informal (General)	Always Formal

🔗 Dive deeper into the differences between Academic vs General Task 1 here:
👉 Writing Task 1: Academic vs General Overview

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Writing Task 1: Quick Summary

• Academic: You'll be asked to describe a graph, chart, map, or process.
• General: You’ll write a letter based on a given situation (e.g., complaint, request, advice).

Tips for Task 1:

• Don’t include your opinion (Academic)
• Group similar data together logically
• Use a range of vocabulary to describe trends (increase, decline, plateau)
• In General, match your tone (formal, semi-formal, informal) to the situation

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Writing Task 2: Quick Summary

Task 2 is the same for both Academic and General Training. You'll write an essay in response to a question, which could be:

• Opinion (Agree/Disagree)
• Discussion (Both views)
• Problem-Solution
• Advantages/Disadvantages
• Direct Question

Tips for Task 2:

• Plan your ideas before writing
• Stick to a clear structure: Introduction → 2 Body Paragraphs → Conclusion
• Support arguments with examples
• Stay formal and objective throughout

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Scoring: How Are Task 1 and 2 Evaluated?

Both tasks are assessed using the IELTS Writing Band Descriptors, which include:

• Task Achievement (Task 1) / Task Response (Task 2)
• Coherence and Cohesion
• Lexical Resource
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Task 2 has more weight in your final band score, so underperforming here can significantly affect your result.

🔗 Get a full breakdown of how you're scored here:
👉 IELTS Writing Band Descriptors Explained

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Writing too few words (penalized heavily)
• ❌ Mixing informal language in essays
• ❌ Not analyzing Task 2 questions properly
• ❌ Spending too long on Task 1

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Sample Practice Prompts

Task 1 (Academic):
The chart below shows the percentage of adults in different age groups using the internet in one European country between 2000 and 2020. Summarize the information.

Task 1 (General):
You recently moved to a new city and want to recommend your previous landlord to a friend. Write a letter to your friend.

Task 2 (Both):
Some people believe that universities should only accept students with high academic performance. Others believe students with lower grades should also be given a chance. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

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💡 Quick Strategy Recap

• Spend 5 mins planning Task 2 — it’s worth more!
• Don’t memorize essays — focus on flexible structures
• Practice both tasks under timed conditions
• Review your writing with IELTS Band Descriptors

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🎯 Ready to Boost Your Band Score?

Practice with realistic, examiner-style mock exams for both Academic and General IELTS at 👉 ieltsexam.ai/ielts-mock-tests

Get instant AI feedback, scoring, and sample answers for Writing Task 1 & 2!