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IELTS Writing Task 2 Two-part essays

A two-part question, sometimes called a direct question, ends with two questions that do not form one of the standard pairs. Each needs its own direct answer. Task Response asks whether every part is addressed, and here the parts are written out for you.

  1. 1

    Two answers, not one opinion. Merging both questions into a general view of the topic replaces the task with a simpler one.

  2. 2

    Neither answer is a sentence. A full first paragraph and a one-line second answer leaves half the task under-developed.

  3. 3

    Check the second question. If it asks you to solve or weigh the first, it is a pair, not two-part.

This guide covers

  • How to spot it
  • Paragraph plan
  • Common mistakes
  • 3 original practice questions
WRITING TASK 2Why might this be? Is it apositive or negativedevelopment?two questions,two answers

How to spot it

Read the instruction line

3 wordings signal this type. Check for the look-alike before you plan.

  • 1Direct questions

    Two sentences ending in question marks

    For example “Why …? Is this a positive or negative development?” The pair is not causes with solutions, and not advantages with disadvantages.

  • 2

    “What … ? How … ?” or “Why … ? What effects … ?”

    Different question words often signal different jobs. Write down what each one is asking before you plan.

  • 3

    A positive-or-negative question beside a second question

    On its own, “Is this a positive or negative development?” is its own type. Beside a second, different question, the task is two-part.

Paragraph plan

Recommended structure

Four paragraphs, one job each.

Structure only — you supply the arguments
  1. 1

    Introduction

    Paraphrase the topic and say that you will answer both questions. Do not answer them in full here.

  2. 2

    Body paragraph 1

    Answer the first question directly. Explain the point and give one example. Stay with that question.

  3. 3

    Body paragraph 2

    Answer the second question directly, with its own explanation and example. Do not repeat the first answer.

  4. 4

    Conclusion

    Bring the two answers together in one or two sentences. Do not add a third question.

Structure notes

  • Each question gets one body paragraph, in the order the prompt asks them. Open with a direct answer, then explain and support it.

  • The introduction signals that both will be answered, without answering them in full. The conclusion brings the two answers together briefly.

  • If one question is clearly larger, it may have slightly more space. The smaller one still needs a developed paragraph.

Planning and final check

Plan first, check last

Before you write

Planning in the first few minutes

  1. 1

    Write Q1 and Q2, then a one-sentence answer to each

    If you cannot answer one of them in a sentence, you have not yet understood it. Reread the prompt.

  2. 2

    Make sure the two answers are not the same idea

    Answering “why do people do this?” and “is it a good thing?” with overlapping material makes the second paragraph repeat the first.

  3. 3

    Plan one specific example for each answer

    A kind of worker or a type of town is easier to develop than “people”. The examples can differ in scale or setting.

Before you finish

Final check

Common mistakes

Do and don't

The 5 mistakes that keep two-part essays below their potential, each with the fix.

  1. 1

    Don’t

    Answering only one question properly

    A detailed first paragraph and a one-line second answer leaves half the task under-developed.

    Do

    Plan both answers before writing either

    Each question needs a direct answer, an explanation and an example.

  2. 2

    Don’t

    Merging the questions into one opinion

    Arguing that a trend is good, without answering why it is happening, replaces the task with a simpler one.

    Do

    Keep the questions visibly separate

    One body paragraph per question, in the order they were asked.

  3. 3

    Don’t

    Indirect answers

    Opening with background makes the reader search for the answer.

    Do

    Answer in the first sentence

    The first sentence of each body paragraph should answer its question.

  4. 4

    Don’t

    Mistaking a pair for two parts

    Treating a cause-and-solution prompt as two unrelated questions loses the link between them.

    Do

    Check whether the second question solves the first

    If it solves or weighs the first, it is a pair.

  5. 5

    Don’t

    Answering in the wrong order

    Answering the second question first is not wrong in itself, but it is harder to match against the prompt.

    Do

    Follow the order in the prompt

    That order is a straightforward gain in coherence.

A teaching paragraph

One paragraph, marked up

A teaching illustration of one paragraph — not a model essay and not a Grade Report.

The question

Two-part

Many people now choose to holiday in their own country rather than abroad. Why might this be? Is it a positive or negative development?

First body paragraph, answering only the first question

One important reason for this shift is that domestic travel has become easier to organise at short notice (note 1). Rail operators and regional tourist boards now offer combined tickets and accommodation online, so a family can decide on a Thursday to spend the weekend on the coast (note 2) without the passports, currency and flight times that a foreign trip involves. For people whose working hours are unpredictable, that flexibility matters more than the appeal of a distant destination. As a result, a holiday at home is no longer a second-best choice but often the one that fits ordinary life most easily (note 3).

Practice

Practice questions

Original questions written for Band7. Start writing carries the question into the checker.

  • Two-partOriginal practice question

    In some countries, more people are choosing to rent furniture and appliances instead of buying them. Why might people prefer this? Is it a positive or negative trend?

    Start writing
  • Two-partOriginal practice question

    Many adults now take up a musical instrument later in life. What motivates them to do this? How might learning as an adult differ from learning as a child?

    Start writing
  • Two-partOriginal practice question

    Fewer people today know their neighbours by name than in the past. Why has this happened? What effect does it have on local communities?

    Start writing

FAQ

Questions about two-part essays

Look at the second question. If it asks how to solve or reduce the issue raised in the first, it is a problem and solution pair. If it asks something independent, such as whether the trend is good, it is two-part.

Roughly. One can be a little longer if it is the more complex question, but both need a direct answer, an explanation and an example.

A brief signal of both answers is fine and can help clarity. Keep the full answers for the body paragraphs, where you can develop them.

No. The Task 2 checker gives a practice Estimated Band for an essay you write. It is not an official IELTS score and is not linked to any test centre.

Write a full two-part essay

Choose a practice question above or bring your own. The checker keeps it in this browser while you sign up. Aim for Band 7+; the Grade Report is a practice estimate.

Task 2 checker