IELTS Writing Skills & Composition 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a Task 2 'agree or disagree' essay, what is the safest thesis approach?
- Avoid stating any position
- Clearly state your position in the introduction (Correct answer)
- Change your opinion in the conclusion
- List both sides without choosing
Correct answer: Clearly state your position in the introduction
A clear, consistent position stated early scores higher for task response.
Question 2: Which is a strong topic sentence for a body paragraph?
- There are many things to say about this
- One major benefit of remote work is improved work-life balance (Correct answer)
- I think it is good
- Firstly, secondly, thirdly
Correct answer: One major benefit of remote work is improved work-life balance
A good topic sentence states the paragraph's main idea clearly.
Question 3: What is the minimum word count for Writing Task 2?
- 150 words
- 200 words
- 250 words (Correct answer)
- 300 words
Correct answer: 250 words
Task 2 requires at least 250 words.
Question 4: Which linking phrase best signals a result or consequence?
- On the other hand
- Consequently (Correct answer)
- For instance
- In addition
Correct answer: Consequently
'Consequently' introduces a result.
Question 5: Writing well below the word count most directly lowers which band score area?
- Pronunciation
- Task Achievement/Response (Correct answer)
- Fluency
- Listening accuracy
Correct answer: Task Achievement/Response
Insufficient length is penalised under Task Response.
Question 6: Which sentence shows the best use of a complex structure?
- Pollution is bad. It harms health.
- Although pollution is costly to reduce, the long-term health benefits justify the expense (Correct answer)
- Pollution bad and harms health a lot
- Pollution and health and money
Correct answer: Although pollution is costly to reduce, the long-term health benefits justify the expense
The subordinate clause with 'although' demonstrates grammatical range.
Question 7: What role does the conclusion play in a Task 2 essay?
- Introduce a brand-new argument
- Restate the position and summarise the main points (Correct answer)
- Add statistics for the first time
- Ask the reader a question
Correct answer: Restate the position and summarise the main points
The conclusion should restate your stance and recap key ideas without new arguments.
IELTS Writing Skills & Composition 3
In a Task 2 'agree or disagree' essay, what is the safest thesis approach?