ielts essay conclusion phrases

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IELTS Writing Task 2: How to write a good conclusion

The conclusion is an important part of your IELTS Writing Task 2 response. A good conclusion is not just a summary of information presented in your essay, but also helps emphasise the importance of the main points or opinions in your essay and gives the reader a sense of closure.

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When writing a conclusion (closing paragraph) in Writing Task 2, there are a few things that you should do (or avoid) in order to make your conclusion a more effective one. Knowing what to include or avoid in your closing paragraph can help you get a higher band score in IELTS Writing. So, let’s look at some tips you can practice and implement in your response.  

Tip 1: Refer back to your introductory paragraph

You may want to think of your introduction and conclusion as two pieces of the same puzzle because they should be closely linked. Make sure you: 

Return to the idea(s) that you presented in your introduction  

And add further insight obtained after writing the body of your essay. 

Tip 2: Summarise your essay’s main arguments

It is very important to provide a summary of your essay’s main points in your conclusion. But make sure you avoid repeating things. Instead, show the examiner how the arguments you made and the supporting details you used all fit together. 

Tip 3: Avoid repetition

When summarising the main points in your essay, don’t repeat the language you use in your body paragraphs. Vary your language so that you don’t repeat the same words and sentence structures again and again. This will show the examiner that you can use a wider range of vocabulary and grammatical structures. 

Tip 4: Give your own opinion

In Writing Task 2, you will always be asked to give your opinion in essay form. If you get to your final paragraph and realise that you haven’t given your opinion, make sure you include it in your conclusion so your opinion is clear. 

Tip 5: Don’t introduce a new argument

Make sure you do not raise new points in your conclusion. Remember that your closing paragraph is where you bring closure to your essay and not where you introduce new ideas. 

How to put these tips into action

Now that we have looked at strategies for writing an effective conclusion, let’s see how these strategies work together to bring an essay to a cohesive end. 

Take a look at the sample question, sample introductory paragraph and conclusion below. And see how this test taker has put the 5 tips mentioned into action to write a cohesive conclusion.

Example - Writing Task 2 question

The threat of nuclear weapons maintains world peace. Nuclear power provides cheap and clean energy. 

The benefits of nuclear technology far outweigh the disadvantages. 

To what extent do you agree or disagree?  

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.  

Write at least 250 words. 

Writing Task 2: Sample introduction

Nuclear technology has been around for many years. Whether this technology is used for weapons of mass destruction or as a source of energy, many are of the belief that the use of nuclear energy has more advantages than disadvantages. In my opinion, nuclear technology can indeed be a very efficient energy source. However, nuclear weapons possess such enormous destructive power that any benefits that this technology may offer to humankind are not enough to counter its potentially devastating effects. This essay will address why the drawbacks of nuclear technology outweigh the benefits and will include relevant examples to support this position. 

Writing Task 2: Sample conclusion

Nuclear technology is extremely dangerous. Even though nuclear weapons have only been used twice, on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, evidence from these actions, as well as from nuclear accidents such as the Chernobyl disaster, are irrefutable proof of the disastrous effects of nuclear technology. Even in the absence of nuclear accidents, nuclear power inevitably produces radioactive waste, which is severely damaging to our bodies. Our best protection against these dangers is to simply not use nuclear technology. Instead, we should look for alternative ways to produce sustainable energy and to achieve world peace through spreading a message of tolerance, kindness and non-violence. 

If you review the main points in the example conclusion above: 

The destructive power of nuclear weapons 

The disastrous consequences of nuclear disasters 

The harmful effects of radioactive waste. 

You will see the writer reminds the examiner (reader) the strength and importance of their main ideas, while summarising how this point fit well with the examples provided in the body of the essay.  

To finish, you can see the writer highlights their proposed course of action, which helps end the essay on a more positive note.

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IELTS Charlie

Your Guide to IELTS Band 7

Writing The Conclusion To Your Essay: Tips, Examples and Problems

In this lesson, you’re going to learn how to write the kind of conclusion you see in essays that get a high band score . You will also get some tips for writing conclusions, some examples , and the common problems with conclusions that you need to avoid.

What is the Conclusion?

The conclusion, or concluding paragraph, is not simply the last paragraph of your essay.

A good conclusion should do 2 things:

• remind your reader of your answer(s) to the essay question(s)
• refer to the main reasons for your answer(s)

For most IELTS essay questions, you can do this in just one or two sentences.

Having a conclusion is really important! If you don’t have a conclusion , then your band score for Task Response will be limited to Band 5 at best.

Look at this task:

In the future, nobody will buy printed newspapers or books because they will be able to read everything they want online without paying. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

(Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Test 2)

Let’s say I strongly agree with this statement. That’s my answer to the essay question. That needs to go into the conclusion.

And I must also remind my reader (the IELTS Examiner!) of the reasons for my view. Let’s say I agree with the statement because: (1) it’s more convenient to get information online when compared to printed materials, and (2) books and newspapers are quite expensive.

So here is one possible conclusion to my essay:

“In conclusion, I strongly believe that everyone in the future will get all their information online for free because reading information online via phones and tablets is so much easier than through bulky books and newspapers, and also because books and newspapers are quite expensive.”

In the above conclusion, I presented my answer to the essay question, and I reminded my reader of the reasons for my view.

Tips for Writing the Conclusion

• restate your answer to the essay question
• summarise your main ideas from the body paragraphs
• 1-2 sentences is usually sufficient, but will probably be longer in a ‘Discuss Both Views’ essay.

Here are 2 more examples of good conclusions.

“In the future, more people will choose to go on holiday in their own country and not travel abroad on holiday. Do you agree or disagree?”

(Cambridge IELTS 15 General Training Test 3)

My answer. Let’s say I broadly agree with the statement, but that I think it depends on where holidaymakers live. (That is my answer to the essay question.)

My reasons. Why do I think this? Here are my main reasons:

• domestic holidays can be cheaper
• overseas travel can be inconvenient
• it depends where people live because people in cold countries want to go to warm ones.

So my conclusion can go like this:

“In conclusion, I feel that people will be more likely to take holidays in their own country because they are generally cheaper and more convenient than foreign holidays. However, it does depend, to an extent, on where people live, as people living in countries with cold climates will continue to want to take holidays somewhere warm.”

I’ve restated my opinion (my answer to the question), and I’ve also referred to my main ideas from the body paragraphs. You will also see that my conclusion is only 2 sentences long.

The concluding paragraph of Discuss Both Views question needs to be a little different.

“Some people say History is one of the most important school subjects. Other people think that, in today’s world, subjects like Science and Technology are more important than History. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.”

(Cambridge IELTS 13 Test 3 – Academic)

For most IELTS questions, you just need to restate your answer along with your main reasons / main ideas. But with Discuss Both Views essays you also need to present your own opinion . You can present your own opinion in a separate paragraph, but you can also include your opinion in the concluding paragraph .

In a Discuss Both Views essay, you would normally discuss the first view in Body Paragraph 1, and the second view in Body Paragraph 2.

In the conclusion, I’m going to say what I think: I think that history is an important subject, but because teaching time is limited, science and technology should be prioritised because of the need to teach job skills.

“In conclusion, there are clearly convincing arguments for both views. However, personally, I believe that while history is very important and should never be omitted entirely from the curriculum, there are only a limited number of teaching hours available, and for this reason, science and technology should be prioritised. After all, it is essential to provide young people with the technological and scientific skills and knowledge needed for life and work in the modern world.”

This paragraph refers very briefly to the 2 different views in the body paragraphs:

“There are clearly convincing arguments for both views…”

Before going on to present my own opinion.

Many people find it difficult to give their own opinion in a Discuss Both Views essay. They often agree strongly with one side, but that’s not always the best option, especially if you are aiming for a high band score. So here a couple of tips for Discuss Both Views essays.

Tip #1: Point out the weaknesses of the view you disagree with

I think one good way of presenting your opinion in a concluding paragraph is to point out the weaknesses in the view that you disagree with.

In the conclusion above, I’ve pointed out that I think history is important, but you have to prioritise science and technology because teaching time is limited.

Tip #2: Say what you REALLY think

My opinion for this essay is what I REALLY think. I’ve not made up my opinion! And because it’s actually my opinion, it’s much easier to explain.

Conclusions: Common Problems

If you are aiming for a high band score, you need to avoid the following common problems

Problem #1: Inconsistent Position

An inconsistent position is when your position seems to change during your essay . This is sometimes because your view in the conclusion seems to be different from your view in the introduction. For example, in your introduction you might write: “ I strongly agree ,” but in the conclusion, you write things that suggest you only “ partly agree ” or even “ disagree .”

An inconsistent position will probably limit your band score for both Task Response and Coherence and Cohesion to Band 5 or Band 6.

Solution : an inconsistent position is usually the result of bad planning , so make sure you plan your essay before you start writing.

Problem #2: Presenting New Ideas in the Conclusion

A second common problem is presenting new ideas in the conclusion , such as new reasons for your view.

You should present the reasons / main ideas (eg advantages or reasons for a view) in the body paragraphs.  The conclusion is not the place for new ideas.

I think this problem happens because test takers suddenly think of great new ideas while writing the conclusion.

Solution: Again, this problem can usually be avoided with good planning before you start writing.

Problem #3: Long Conclusion

I often see conclusions that are simply too long. Remember, you only need to present your answer(s) and reasons again, briefly. You can do this in 1-2 sentences. The only reason for writing more than 2 sentences is if you are presenting your own opinion in a Discuss Both Views essay.

Solution: keep the conclusion short and concise.

Problem #4: Unclear Conclusion

If your conclusions are unclear, then Task Response is going to be limited to Band 6. Make sure you write a clear conclusion, clearly present your explicit answer along with your main reasons.

Problem #5: No Conclusion

If there’s no conclusion – in other words, if you do not present your explicit answer to the essay question – then Task Response will be limited to Band 5 at best.

A conclusion in Task 2 is a little bit like the overview paragraph in Task 1. So, if you don’t have a conclusion (or an overview in Task 1), it’s going to keep your band score down.

Problem #6: Unnatural / Informal Transition Signals

I often see unnatural / informal transition signals at the start of conclusions, for example:

• “to recapitulate”
• “in conclusion, in my opinion.” (either write “in conclusion” OR “in my opinion”, but NOT both!)
• “to bring it all together”

A simple “in conclusion” is all you need at the start of your conclusion.

Key Points To Remember

• present your answer to the essay question(s) in the conclusion, along with brief reference to the reasons for your answer
• keep it short: 1-2 sentences is usually enough
• in a Discuss Both Views essay, you can present your own view in the conclusion
• in a Discuss Both Views essay, point out the weaknesses in the view you disagree with in the conclusion
• do not present new ideas in the conclusion
• use “in conclusion” at the start of your conclusion

I hope that helps! Good luck with your IELTS preparation.

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Charlie is a former IELTS Examiner with 25 years' teaching experience all over the world. His courses, for both English language learners and teachers, have been taken by over 100,000 students in over 160 countries around the world.

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Discover the 7 STEPS to BAND 7 in IELTS Writing Task 2

How to write an effective IELTS conclusion

A guide to writing a good conclusion for an ielts essay..

Updated:  April 2024

The conclusion is very important in an IELTS essay because if you do not write one you could lose a whole band score in task response.

Conclusions are pretty easy to write. You just need to rephrase your main points and restate your opinion. One way to do this is to paraphrase the thesis statement again. No new information should be added to the conclusion and it must be concise and to the point. Do not copy your thesis statement word for word either, do not repeat whole sentences or it will lower your score. Work on paraphrasing your thesis statement from the introduction.

If you prefer, you can watch the video below.

5 key points when writing a conclusion.

1. Do not add new information to the conclusion . Any new ideas or main points should be covered in the main body paragraphs.

2. You can re-paraphrase the thesis statement from the introduction. This will show that you have a good understanding of vocabulary and it will leave a good impression on the examiner. Just remember that it is not necessary to paraphrase everything.

3. Do not go into too much detail, conclusions should only be about 2 or 3 sentences long. Keep it short and concise.

4. You need to use a cohesive device when starting the conclusion. There are 3 choices below.

To sum up To conclude In conclusion

Do not to use informal cohesive devices to start the conclusion such as these listed below. They are just too informal or inappropriate in the conclusion.

I reckon  (informal)

In the end  (informal), all in all     (informal), generally speaking    (too vague for a conclusion), finally    (this means you are making another final point), lastly   (this means you have a last point to make), all things considered   (informal).

5. Do not use memorised ‘stock sentences’ in an IELTS essay. I sometimes see these in my students essays. This is because of bad advice being given on the internet. These kinds of memorised sentences are not necessary and may affect your score. See below:

In conclusion, I firmly agree with the aforementioned statement….

To conclude, as stated above, i think…., to sum up, i wholeheartedly agree with the above mentioned points in this essay…, to reiterate, according to the aforementioned points…., taking my above views into consideration…., in a nutshell…, the crux of the matter is…, as outlined above…..

Click here to see a lesson on memorised or cliched phrases I often see in IELTS essays

How can you tell if it’s a good conclusion?

If you were to just read the conclusion only and not the essay, then you should be able to get a very good idea of what the essay was about without even reading the main body paragraphs. It should re-paraphrase your thesis statement and briefly summarise your main points. Let’s see some examples.

Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding change, whereas others think that change is always a good thing. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Introduction:

Many individuals would rather go through life staying the same, while other people like the idea of facing new challenges. This essay agrees that change is beneficial to our lives because we can expand our worldview and gain new experiences.

Red = Paraphrased task question     Blue = thesis statement

Conclusion:

To conclude, although some prefer to shy away from new ideas because they feel comfortable with routines, I believe that change is advantageous for developing an open mind and experiencing new things.

Green = cohesive device   Red = re-paraphrased background statement from the introduction
   Blue = thesis statement paraphrased again.

A more concise conclusion:

In a discussion essay, you can use a much more concise and direct conclusion that briefly refers to the differing views and a restated opinion.

To sum up, despite differing views on whether change is beneficial, I think that change is important for developing an open mind and experiencing new things.

Green = cohesive device   Red = referring to the different views    Blue = opinion restated

As you can see there is a lot of paraphrasing going on here. This is the key to getting a good band score in vocabulary and task response. Paraphrasing needs a lot of practice and it must be done right.

One of the major problems facing the world today is the growing number of refugees. Some say developed nations of the world should tackle this problem by taking in more refugees. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

A major global issue recently is the increasing amount of refugees. Some believe that developed countries ought to deal with this by accepting more refugees. I hold the view that developed nations should not take in more refugees as it puts a burden on the welfare state and causes unease among local communities.

Red = Paraphrased task question    Blue = thesis statement

In conclusion, although there are people who feel that developed nations must allow additional refugees to enter their countries, I do not agree, as this would put extra pressure on social systems and could create resentments in local neighbourhoods.

Green = cohesive device    Red = re-paraphrased the background statement from the introduction     Blue = thesis statement paraphrased again.

I kept the keyword ‘refugees’ I could use ‘asylum seekers’ but there is a slight difference in meaning so I didn’t change it. Remember: you don’t have to paraphrase everything. Be careful of synonyms as sometimes they carry a different meaning.

Key points:

If your conclusion is too long it could become irrelevant and lose marks. I advise a word count of under 45 words or 3 sentences in a conclusion. (this is just my rule to keep you on track)

You do not have to be an expert on the topic to write about it, the IELTS exam is not a general knowledge test. You do not have to personally agree or disagree, just give an opinion.

The whole point of giving your opinion and giving specific examples is to show the examiner how well you have understood the question, that you can paraphrase, explain and support your ideas. Use grammar and vocabulary accurately. In the conclusion you need to summarise and be concise.

I advise practicing as much as possible with paraphrasing introductions, thesis statements and conclusions. On this blog there are more articles on thesis statements and practice for paraphrasing.

Any questions?  leave a comment below.

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Useful phrases for IELTS Writing Task 2

Achieving high scores in IELTS writing task two is crucial for test-takers aiming for success. The quality of your writing plays a significant role in securing those desired scores. One key aspect of enhancing the quality of your writing is the use of appropriate phrases that convey your thoughts in a clear and persuasive manner.

This blog post offers an insightful collection of useful phrases that you can incorporate into your IELTS writing task two responses. By mastering these phrases, you will not only strengthen your writing skills but also boost your chances of scoring high on the IELTS exam. So, let's dive in and explore these phrases that can help you excel in your IELTS writing task two.

General Phrases for Writing Introductions

A strong introduction is essential for setting the stage for a well-written IELTS essay. It helps to engage the reader and provides context for the topic being discussed. Here are some general phrases that can be used in crafting compelling introductions for your IELTS writing task two essays.

Establishing the Context of the Essay

It's crucial to start your essay by setting the scene and providing context for the reader. These phrases can help you achieve that:

"In today's world, ..." – This phrase highlights the contemporary relevance of the topic being discussed.

"It is widely believed that ..." – Use this phrase to introduce a widely held belief or assumption about the topic at hand.

Stating the Purpose of the Essay

Once the context is set, it's important to clarify the purpose or objective of your essay. The following phrases can be used to achieve this:

"This essay will discuss ..." – This phrase informs the reader about the specific issue or question that your essay will address.

"The aim of this essay is to examine ..." – Use this phrase to explain the goal of your essay in terms of investigating or analyzing a particular aspect of the topic.

By employing these general phrases in your IELTS writing task two introductions, you will effectively engage your reader and set a strong foundation for the rest of your essay.

Expressing Opinions and Making Arguments

In the IELTS writing task two, effectively expressing your opinions and presenting well-reasoned arguments are essential for crafting persuasive essays. Here are some useful phrases to help you do just that.

Stating Personal Opinions

When presenting your own perspective on a topic, these phrases can help you articulate your thoughts:

"In my opinion, ..." – Use this phrase to introduce your personal viewpoint on the subject matter.

"I firmly believe that ..." – This phrase emphasizes the strength of your conviction regarding the topic.

Presenting Other People's Opinions

It's often useful to acknowledge differing viewpoints in your essay. These phrases can help you introduce other perspectives:

"Many people argue that ..." – Use this phrase to present a popular or widely-held argument on the topic.

"It is often said that ..." – This phrase introduces a commonly expressed belief or opinion related to the subject.

Providing Evidence or Reasons

Supporting your arguments with evidence and reasons strengthens their credibility. Use these phrases to achieve that:

"This can be supported by ..." – Introduce evidence or examples that back up your argument with this phrase.

"One reason for this is ..." – Use this phrase to present a specific rationale behind a particular argument or opinion.

By incorporating these phrases in your IELTS writing task two essays, you will enhance your ability to express opinions and make persuasive arguments that resonate with your reader.

Comparing and Contrasting Ideas

An essential aspect of writing compelling IELTS essays is the ability to compare and contrast ideas effectively. This skill can help you showcase your critical thinking and deepen your understanding of the topic. The following phrases can assist you in comparing and contrasting ideas within your writing task two essays.

Highlighting Similarities

When discussing similarities between ideas, these phrases can help you emphasize their likeness:

"Similarly, ..." – Use this phrase to introduce a point that shares a common feature with a previously mentioned idea.

"In the same way, ..." – This phrase draws attention to the parallel nature of two or more concepts.

Emphasizing Differences

To highlight contrasting ideas, these phrases can effectively express their dissimilarities:

"On the other hand, ..." – Introduce opposing viewpoints or contrasting ideas with this phrase.

"In contrast, ..." – Use this phrase to emphasize the difference between two or more ideas, demonstrating their distinct features.

Mastering the skill of comparing and contrasting ideas will significantly enhance your IELTS writing task two essays, enabling you to present well-rounded arguments and showcase your critical thinking abilities.

Discussing Causes and Effects

In IELTS writing task two, identifying and discussing the causes and effects of a given issue helps you demonstrate a deep understanding of the topic. Employing the right phrases to describe these relationships can significantly enhance your essay. Here are some useful phrases for discussing causes and effects.

Identifying Causes

When discussing the underlying causes of an issue, these phrases can help you pinpoint the contributing factors:

"One factor that contributes to this is ..." – Use this phrase to present a specific element that influences the issue under discussion.

"This can be attributed to ..." – This phrase helps you link a particular effect or outcome to its underlying cause.

Describing Effects

To discuss the consequences or outcomes of an issue, these phrases can effectively convey their impact:

"As a result, ..." – Use this phrase to introduce a direct consequence or outcome of a particular cause.

"This leads to ..." – This phrase connects a specific cause to its subsequent effect or result.

By incorporating these phrases into your IELTS writing task two essays, you will improve your ability to discuss causes and effects, providing a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the topic at hand.

Offering Solutions and Making Recommendations

One of the key aspects of writing a compelling IELTS essay is the ability to offer solutions and make recommendations. This demonstrates your critical thinking skills and your ability to propose effective actions to address the issue at hand. Here are some helpful phrases for offering solutions and making recommendations in your writing task two essays.

Suggesting Solutions

When proposing potential solutions to a problem, these phrases can help you present your ideas:

"One possible solution is ..." – Use this phrase to introduce a potential approach or remedy for the issue being discussed.

"A potential remedy to this issue is ..." – This phrase helps you present an alternative solution to a specific problem.

Making Recommendations

To provide advice or suggestions for addressing an issue, these phrases can effectively convey your recommendations:

"It is recommended that ..." – Use this phrase to propose a specific course of action or strategy that should be considered.

"Governments should consider ..." – This phrase is particularly useful when making recommendations for actions that should be taken by authorities or policymakers.

By incorporating these phrases into your IELTS writing task two essays, you will enhance your ability to offer solutions and make recommendations, showcasing your problem-solving skills and critical thinking abilities.

Writing Conclusions

A strong conclusion is essential for wrapping up your IELTS writing task two essay and leaving a lasting impression on the reader. It should effectively summarize the main points of your essay and provide a final thought or opinion. Here are some useful phrases for writing impactful conclusions.

Summarizing the Main Points

To concisely restate the key arguments or findings of your essay, use these phrases:

"In conclusion, ..." – This phrase signals the end of your essay and allows you to summarize your main points.

"To sum up, ..." – Use this phrase to provide a brief recap of the essential arguments or findings in your essay.

Offering a Final Thought or Opinion

To leave a lasting impression and provide a final insight, these phrases can effectively convey your closing thoughts:

"Ultimately, ..." – This phrase introduces a concluding observation or opinion, emphasizing the key takeaway from your essay.

"It is clear that ..." – Use this phrase to assert the primary conclusion or outcome derived from the discussion in your essay.

By incorporating these phrases into your IELTS writing task two conclusions, you will effectively summarize your main points and leave your reader with a compelling final impression of your essay.

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How to Write Effective IELTS Conclusions

This post will help you write effective conclusions for IELTS writing task 2 essay questions. It is suitable for both General Training and Academic candidates.

The conclusion is the easiest paragraph to write because, in many ways, you are just using ideas you have already mentioned in your introduction and main body paragraphs . However, this is the last thing the examiner will read, and it is, therefore, crucial that you finish strongly.

You will probably not have much time remaining when you are writing your conclusion, so you must practice them and learn how to write them quickly. I will show you how below.

IELTS Conclusion Quick Tips

• Never write any new ideas in your conclusion. A conclusion should always restate your ideas in the rest of the essay. New ideas should be in the main body and not in the conclusion.
• Make sure you answer the question in the conclusion. The conclusion should state your thoughts about the question and clarify your feelings about the issue.
• Vary your language. Just because you are restating your ideas in the rest of your essay doesn’t mean you use the same language. Instead, you show the examiner you have a wide vocabulary by paraphrasing .
• Don’t try to include everything . You are not required to go into detail; you have already done that in your main body paragraphs. Instead, you will summarise your main points.
• Always write one. It isn’t easy to get a good score in task 2 if you haven’t finished your essay with a conclusion. Even if you are running out of time, make sure you write one.

Linking Phrases

First, you should start with a linking phrase, but some are better than others. Here are some examples:

• In a nutshell
• In conclusion
• To conclude

Finally  isn’t really suitable because it indicates that you are making a final point and therefore a new idea. Finally belongs in the main body of your essay, not the conclusion.

In a nutshell  is too informal, and we should never use it in IELTS conclusions.

In general  tells the reader you are going to talk generally about a topic. This is not what we will do in our conclusion, and we should not use it.

In conclusion and to conclude  are the only two linking phrases you should use to start your conclusion. They tell the reader exactly what the paragraph is about and are formal. You will only write one conclusion, so pick one and stick with it.

How to Write a Good Conclusion

There are two elements to a good conclusion:

• Summarising the main points of your essay
• Varying your vocabulary by paraphrasing

Luckily we have already stated our main points in the introduction, so all we have to do is look back at the conclusion and paraphrase this.

Let’s look at some examples:

Introduction

It is argued that students should be taught real-life skills, like how to look after money. This essay agrees that they should be part of the curriculum because everyday competencies benefit people later in life, and not being taught how to manage money at an early age can lead to dangerous consequences in adulthood. 

I have completed an effective introduction by doing three things:

• Paraphrasing the question
• Stating my opinion
• Outlining what I will talk about in the rest of the essay or in other words, the main points I’m using to support my opinion.

In conclusion, this essay supports the idea that teenagers should be taught functional subjects like financial planning because it helps them in adulthood, and a lack of education related to these topics can have serious consequences. 

So all I have done is restate my opinion and included my main supporting points. However, I have not simply copied all the words; I have used synonyms and paraphrasing to vary my language.

Note that I have repeated some words. Paraphrasing does not mean changing every single word. If you cannot think of a way to change every word, feel free to repeat that word. In general, you should try to vary your vocabulary as much as possible, but it is often impossible to change every single word. Better to repeat a word accurately than change it to something wrong.

Here are the paraphrases I used:

This essay supports- This essay agrees

should- ought to

students- teenagers

functional subjects- real-life skills

look after money- financial planning

later in life- in adulthood

Let’s look at another example :

Contemporary advances have a serious effect on the planet. While I appreciate that critics may hope that people will shun the latest developments, I believe that technology itself can give us an answer.  This essay will first discuss how not using electronics is unfeasible, followed by a discussion of how science is now coming up with ways to reverse global warming and pollution. 

This introduction does three basic things:

1. Paraphrases the question

2. States opinion

3. Outlines what the essay will discuss

In conclusion, this essay acknowledges that technological progress jeopardises the planet, but cutting-edge discoveries can halt and even heal this destruction. 

Again, all I have done is repeat what I said in the introduction using paraphrasing.

Adding a Prediction or Recommendation to Our Conclusion 

We can also add a prediction (what we think will happen) or a recommendation (what we think should happen) to our conclusion.

This is totally optional. I teach students how to write these because it allows them to write something at the end of the essay if they are worried about not making it to 250 words. Only use these if you cannot get over the word count. 

Here are my two previous conclusions with one added sentence:

In conclusion, this essay supports the idea that teenagers should be taught functional subjects like financial planning because it helps them in adulthood, and a lack of education related to these topics can have serious consequences.  It is recommended that governments make this a compulsory part of the education system. 

In conclusion, this essay acknowledges that technological progress jeopardises the planet, but cutting-edge discoveries can halt and even heal this destruction. It is predicted that climate change will be successfully tackled with such inventions. 

If you found this article useful and want more help with writing task 2, please visit our task 2 page .

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IELTS Writing Task 2: How to Write an IELTS Conclusion

by Dave | Writing your conclusion | 65 Comments

Your IELTS conclusion is on a mission should you choose to accept it.

There are 3 simple objectives on this mission:, 1. state your opinion/position, 2. give your main reason for this opinion, 3. add an extra detail, let’s look at these objectives more closely below., if you want to read more about conclusions, i recommend checking out some of my sample answers here ., be sure to avoid the mistakes that most students make on writing by signing up for my exclusive ielts ebooks here on patreon., this is the main mission for your conclusion. if you only accomplish one objective, it should be this one., the reason for it is in the band descriptors:, the key here is ‘presents a relevant position’. a position is the same thing as an opinion., if you don’t say your opinion it is impossible to get a band 6 or above. mission not accomplished., put in your conclusion and you can get at least a 6. so – just do it, for example, ‘in my opinion, smoking should be banned in public places’ or ‘i believe that all children should be required to take computer lessons in school.’, here is some vocabulary that will make your position crystal clear:, be careful – only use the ones in blue and red for writing . the pink ones are only for the speaking test ., (by the way, if you want more tips like this you can check out our  facebook group ), 2. give your main reason for this opinion, this one is pretty simple – just say why you have that opinion, don’t make up a new reason – use one that you already talked about in your writing., for example: ‘in my opinion, smoking should be banned in public places because it has harmful side effects for people who are not smoking ‘ or ‘i believe that all children should be required to take computer lessons in school because it will have a positive impact on their ability to get a good job later in life .’, 3. an extra detail, this one is a little controversial., normally, examiners mark everyone’s writing exactly the same., it doesn’t matter if you are in bangladesh or france or japan or antarctica – you get the same marks because every examiner follows the band descriptors, like a perfectly objective robot., but there are a few small areas where examiners do mark things a little differently. this is related to how long they have been marking, some unclear areas in the band descriptors, the person who trained them and even just human nature., in these areas of difference you should always choose the safe option., the safe option here is to include an extra detail to finish off your essay because some examiners will require you to have this for band 7+., what is an extra detail, it could be a solution, more support for your opinion, a prediction – anything really, here are a few examples of extra details:, prediction: if we ban smoking, people will lead longer, more productive lives and less money will be wasted on healthcare., further support: health is more important than anything else and any effort to improve people’s health, including banning smoking, is a positive step forward., solution: the best way for nations to begin to institute these bans is to first raise taxes which will result in fewer smokers overall before completely banning smoking sometime in the next 20 years., you do not need all 3 of those. 1 or 2 sentences with extra detail is enough to make sure you don’t get bumped down to band 6 because of a malfunctioning robot, here is a checklist from our instagram page :.

A Complete Conclusion

‘in my opinion, smoking should be banned in public places because it has harmful side effects for people who are not smoking. health is more important than anything else and any effort to improve people’s health, including banning smoking, is a positive step forward.’, opinion + main reason why + extra detail = mission accomplished, now it’s your turn comment below, write only the conclusion for the following topic in the comments below:, some people believe that we should have complete free speech and be allowed to say anything we want. others think that there should be some limits on free speech. discuss both views and give your own opinion., if you need some more information about conclusions check out this post ., recommended for you.

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65 Comments

Really it is useful in fact I made use of this processes thanks a lot again and again

Glad you found it useful! Thanks for the feedback.

I believe there ought to be certain boundaries to expression of opinions as otherwise it can lead to conflicts. Avoidong conflicts will lead to harmony and yield progress.

Well written!

Some corrections:

the expression, this can lead to

This is very much useful. Thanks for assisting and guiding IELTS students.

You’re welcome!

In conclusion, I am certain that people should screen their words to avoid hurt feelings and be more effective in communication. If every individual is mindful of what they say and be responsible for their speech, the society will become more inclusive and welcoming.

Awesome conclusion – jealous of it!

In conclusion, I am of the opinion that some restrictions ought to be imposed on free speech so that it does not violate social and cultural values or create a negative impact on the society. Government in consultation with active cultural groups should issue a broad framework and regulate the society.

Great work KS!

We just say regulate society – no ‘the’

What score are you aiming for?

In my opinion, free speech should not be restricted by anything because it is the basic right of any person. It is when people are banned from expressing their thoughts openly, many dictatorship regimes gain more power and can easily manipulate people.

Awesome conclusion, Viktor!

Personally, I believe both arguments make valid points, as anything can become damaging in excess, be it maintaining silence when a crime is committed or using free speech to manipulate the public, we must hold critical thinking at all times when it comes to this topic.

Hmmm, careful Lena, when you sit in the middle like that you risk a band 4/5 for task achievement.

Safer to just choose an overall side.

In my opinion,there should be some limits and prohibitions on free speech because saying what we think could sometimes lead to chaos and controversies whereas protecting the peace in society should always be the most important priority for governments.

Good! Make sure you include the first sentence as well, Amir!

I didn’t get it.What do you mean by including the first sentence?

means stand

Naleema Hettiarachchi Gamage In my view, there should be certain limitations in allowing people to talk freely as it may have and harmful impact for the society which could lead to conflicts among social groups. Mindful speaking will not only benefit the society it will also exacerbate the feeling of unity among people

impressive conclusion

To recapitulate, focusing on words that are spoken could prevent hurting the feelings of others. This would more likely have a good impact on others and create a healthy environment.

Good! Better to just use ‘In conclusion’ though!

Keep it up, Niraj – you can say positive impact to be more academic.

To recapItulate, both perspectives have negative and positive sides. while I agree everyone should have the right to express; however I believe that the dignity of others should not be compromised. A peaceful society with a high level of tolerance will certainly flourish at a greater pace.

Good try, Madiha, but that is too close to sitting in the middle.

Always, always, always choose an overall side so you don’t risk a low score for task achievement.

Write it again!

To conclude, I am certain that absolute freedom of speech is a lawful right of everyone in a democratic society, for this liberty to speak up against injustice of any kind keeps a check on the powerful people in a country. The world can be more livable if all the nation-states confer this fundamental right to their citizens.

I am not sure if a comma should be inserted before ‘for’ or not.

Great Harpreet! You don’t need the comma – that makes it sound more like speaking.

In my opinion, I am certain that people should restrict on free speech as it can hurt others feelings and emotions negatively. It is the responsibility of every citizen to be mindful of what they speak. therefore, free speech should be limited to make a happy society

Good work, CM!

The conclusion is a bit odd though – how would someone possibly police every single thing said to make sure it doesn’t hurt someone’s feelings?

At the end, I believe that there should be few restrictions on free speech because some people might hurt others feelings in the context of freedom of speech. This step will help to build a peaceful relationship between human beings.

Please comment !!

Good work, Shubham.

However, it’s a little informal – try to write a little more formally and use some academic collocations.

To conclude, it is better to have a restriction for freedom of expression. Because there is no use of it if it hurts other people sentiments.

Great, Tahzir!

It is a little informal though – try to write more academically!

It is readily apparent to me that free speech should not be restricted because it is the human’s basic right.  Leading to self-censorship, the restriction would also limit the expression of view.

Great conclusion, Anson!

In my opinion, consuming these products give people additional energy and refreshing feeling. However, I strongly believe that their price should be increased by the government as an amazing approach of promoting healthy lifestyle and encouraging people to manage their finances.

Good structure, Geekay.

Careful with your collocations, some of them are not natural.

Thank you Dave. Take care

It is my belief that free speech should be restricted especially online as this would help to fight online bully and insensitive comments from others who project their hurts on others. Limiting free speeches would foster a feeling of accountability in the speaker, which in turn would promote a better society.

Great vocabulary, Paris!

Some corrections: bullying, from those who seek to…, – maybe a healthier society is better at the end too.

Keep it up!

In my opinion,i think that the best way to make people feel relaxed and have a sense of belonging in the society is to make them have their freedom of speech.this will enable them to have mutual relationship among themselves,knowing fully well that their views are accepted by people

In my opinion,i believe that people can feel more relaxed and have a sense of belonging in the society when there is freedom of speech,leading to high rate of mutual relationship,because they feel accepted and not discriminated in the society

In conclusion, freedom of speech is very important in our society today essential the government that is democratic because it is the full right of every individual to speak but not to say things that will destroy the entire country.

Great but try to break it up into two sentences so that your grammar is more accurate, Ebuka!

Really it is useful in fact I made use of this processes thanks very user friendly

In my opinion, as we live in a democratic country where we are given rights to express our thoughts freely so we should always take benefit of that freedom. As speaking on a particular task always helps us to broaden our minds in and every aspect, otherwise it will not think properly and abandon our thinking abilities.

(Please review it for any mistakes)

in my opinion, though free speech allowed to speak anything it does not mean to lead to conflicts rather, think to maintain harmony which regulates the society

Good, try to write slightly more academically and be more careful with punctuation.

I believe that there should be constrains on the freedom of speech because, freedom of speech can result in wrongful and heavy consequences such as ‘defaming an innocent’. Overall, the government must surveil masses that promote loathsome speeches.

Great! Some vocabulary is too informal though, like ‘loathsome’.

Keep working hard, Hibba!

To recapitulate, I believe that freedom of speech and expression is a fundamental right of every citizen however it should be utilized with great care and caution not to affect the sentiments of any section of the society. The administration should keep watch on the activities of people in order to maintain harmony among citizens.

Nice Dilip!

Careful with some words like keep watch and harmony though.

I therefore, stick to the opinion that, people should have a limit in what they speak about. In relation to politics, comments can be made to downgrade other candidates whereas competitors should be fair. Likewise in all aspects of human interactions, conversations must be guided by ethics and morals in order to promote fair values in business and relationships

Awesome work, Suzie!

In conclusion, I believe that people ought to be able to express their opinions freely as long as they take responsibility for their words. This is important because if people are not held accountable for their words, chances of conflict within the society may rise. At the end of the day, responsible articulation of ideas is necessary to improve the society as a whole.

Nice Mohamed!

In conclusion, it is readily apparent to me that free speech without limit is harmful to society as a whole because It can lead to undesirable results such as invasions of privacy and massive false reports. Therefore, moderations need to be adopted for the public interest.

in my opening,i do believe people should have freedom of speech as it is one’s write .allowing people to have freedom of speech brings and unites people

To conclude, i believe people should be granted a freedom of speech without limitation so as to understand people feelings and emotion.When people can freely explain their selves without limitation problem can be solve promptly and effectively.

1. Isn’t restating the general topic necessary? 2. Is it possible that examiners might reduce our score due to the extra detail as a new idea

Not the general topic necessarily but you have to summarize your ideas, Ali.

The extra detail is not in the band descriptors but I know some examiners require it. To be safe, include it but don’t make it too outlandish.

Is that all clear, Ali?

very useful! thanks a lotttt!

It is readily apparent to me that every single person should be able to voice out their concerns because it not only adds up to an individuals growth but it also adds up to every single one’s development. Nevertheless to avoid any disaster I would suggest voicing out every single person’s thoughts should be welcomed everywhere.

I believe, smoking should be forbidden in public places due to its effects in increasing the upper respiratory system infections rate for both active and passive smokers. I dream a day that by good education we can control this phenomenon and see our society without cigarette.

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How to Write a Perfect Conclusion in IELTS Essay

Hey there, aspiring IELTS candidates! One of the most critical parts of your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay is the conclusion paragraph. Yes, you heard that right—the final impression you leave can make or break your score. So, how do you craft an IELTS essay conclusion that not only summarizes your points but also leaves the examiner impressed? That’s exactly what we’ll dive into today. And if you're looking for more comprehensive guidance, don't forget to check out our eBooks covering all IELTS modules, including the nitty-gritty of essay writing.

Importance of a Great Conclusion in IELTS Task 2 Essay

If you're thinking that writing a conclusion paragraph in an IELTS essay is all about just a wrap-up and not much else, think again! Here’s why you should pour an equal amount of attention into your conclusion as you do into your introduction and body paragraphs:

The Ultimate Lasting Impression

When you’re striving for that elusive band 9 score, the way you conclude your essay is your final pitch, your last opportunity to persuade the examiner of your argument's validity. While you've had the entirety of the essay to showcase your analytical prowess and command of the English language, this is where you seal the deal. Crafting a well-thought-out conclusion not only ties up all your points in a neat bow but also shows that you're adept at summarizing complex ideas concisely—a skill that IELTS examiners highly value.

The Key to Coherence and Cohesion

A well-crafted conclusion serves as the anchor that ties together the entire landscape of your argument. It ensures that your essay doesn’t just ramble on, but builds up to a convincing, logical finale. By summarizing your main points and restating your thesis in a fresh way, you’re demonstrating excellent cohesion—a vital aspect that can substantially improve your IELTS writing band score. And trust us, you don't want to lose precious points for lacking coherence; it's like building a complex puzzle and then failing to put in the final piece.

Your Secret Weapon for a High Band Score

You might be surprised how many people underestimate the conclusion and miss out on its band score-boosting potential. Think of it as the cherry on top of your IELTS essay sundae. It might be a small part, but it can massively affect the overall taste—err, we mean, score! By restating your thesis, summarizing your arguments, and providing a thoughtful final insight, you're showcasing the kind of task response and analytical depth that examiners are looking for.

By the way, if all this talk of thesis statements, coherence, and cohesion feels overwhelming, you're not alone. We offer a tailored IELTS Essay Correction Service , complete with detailed insights and a band 9 sample response. It's almost like having an IELTS examiner walk you through your mistakes and guide you towards perfection. If you're committed to nailing every aspect of the IELTS essay, including the all-important conclusion, then our in-depth eBooks and essay correction services can be your go-to resources.

The Sample Question

Let’s take a real-life sample question from a past IELTS exam to demonstrate:

Question: “In some countries, the number of people choosing to live by themselves is increasing rapidly. What are the causes of this trend, and what are its potential effects?”

The Elements of a High Band IELTS Essay Conclusion

1. restate the thesis.

Your thesis statement isn't just the opening act; it's the foundational element that orchestrates your entire essay. This concise but impactful sentence sets the tone, lays out your central argument, and guides the reader through the labyrinth of your ideas. Therefore, when crafting the conclusion for your IELTS Task 2 essay, it's crucial to circle back and rephrase this pivotal statement in a fresh and engaging manner.

For instance:

Original Thesis Statement: " The escalating trend towards living alone is predominantly fueled by a thirst for independence and evolving societal landscapes."

Restated Thesis: " The growing trend of solo living stems from deeper societal shifts like the desire for personal freedom and evolving norms."

Notice the word choice and phrasing here? It's not a mere repetition but a thoughtful reiteration that casts your original thesis in a new light. This strategy not only rejuvenates your conclusion but also shows the examiner your lexical resourcefulness—a significant criteria in boosting your band score.

Now, if you're scratching your head wondering how to ingeniously rephrase your thesis or if you're stuck navigating the maze of essay writing, our IELTS Essay Correction Service could be your guiding star. With detailed feedback from seasoned examiners, you'll understand precisely what aspects need refining.

The nuances involved in rephrasing a thesis are often underestimated. Our comprehensive eBooks delve deeper into this topic, offering step-by-step guidance and examples that help you grasp the subtleties of constructing and rephrasing thesis statements for a higher IELTS band score. All of these invaluable insights are smoothly integrated within the content, enabling you to optimize your preparation for the IELTS Writing Task 2.

2. Summarize the Main Points

As you navigate the final stage of your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay, summarizing your main points becomes a critical exercise in clarity and concision. This is not the section for elaborate explanations; rather, it's where you distill your arguments into their purest form, creating a cohesive snapshot that reinforces your thesis.

Summary: "While this brings emotional liberation, it also poses challenges such as social isolation and financial strain.”

Notice how this summary not only encapsulates your points but also ties them back to your restated thesis? It's an essential IELTS strategy for amplifying your band score in both Task Response and Coherence/Cohesion.

If summarizing your arguments effectively feels like trying to capture smoke, our Essay Correction Service is here to guide you. Our examiners will pinpoint areas for improvement, helping you refine your summarization skills—and they'll do so with the level of detail that can illuminate the path to a higher band score.

Furthermore, for those of you yearning for a comprehensive breakdown on how to concisely yet powerfully summarize your arguments, our well-curated eBooks are packed with actionable advice and real-world examples. These invaluable resources seamlessly weave into your IELTS preparation journey, enriching your essay-writing skills from the ground up.

3. Provide Implications or Recommendations

To finish your IELTS essay with finesse, you'll want to discuss the broader implications or possible recommendations stemming from your arguments. This shows the examiner that you're not only aware of your topic's importance but also engaged in pondering its future ramifications—a crucial aspect that examiners value.

Implications: “Swift societal changes, like improved mental health support and economic adjustments, are vital.”

These implications not only wrap up your essay but also resonate with broader societal issues, showcasing your understanding of the topic's complexity. Discussing them adds a layer of sophistication to your essay that could be the ticket to achieving a higher IELTS band score.

Should you feel uncertain about weaving implications or recommendations effectively into your conclusion, remember our Essay Correction Service is always available to offer deep insights and actionable feedback, helping you craft essays that meet or even exceed IELTS standards.

For those looking to take a deep dive into the art of impactful essay conclusions, our enriching eBooks offer step-by-step strategies and examples, making it easier for you to articulate your thoughts in the most compelling way possible. These resources naturally complement your IELTS preparation, filling in the gaps that general study might miss.

Remember, addressing the implications or recommendations doesn't just offer closure; it opens a door to a deeper level of understanding and discussion, amplifying your essay's impact and your potential band score.

4. Write the Final Sentence

As the curtain draws on your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay, the final sentence serves as the encore—a chance to leave a lasting impression on your audience, in this case, the IELTS examiner. This concluding line should encapsulate your thesis, summarize your main points, and resonate with the reader, all while exuding a sense of completeness.

Final Sentence: "As society evolves, proactively addressing these issues becomes crucial for collective well-being."

See how this sentence harmonizes your restated thesis and summary, creating a powerful coda that reverberates long after the examiner has finished reading? Crafting such a compelling final statement is a nuanced skill, one that can accentuate your band score by encapsulating Task Response, Coherence, and Cohesion in a single sentence.

If you find yourself grappling with the intricacies of forming such an impactful final sentence, our Essay Correction Service can offer nuanced feedback that will pinpoint exactly what you need to refine. The depth of our analysis could be the catalyst you need to ascend to higher band scores.

Moreover, for those who seek an in-depth understanding of how to tie up all the loose ends and craft a captivating conclusion, our comprehensive eBooks delve into this subject with actionable insights, offering you the keys to master this essential component of IELTS essay writing.

In sum, a well-crafted final sentence isn't just an end; it's the echo that resounds in the examiner's mind, reinforcing the strength and depth of your arguments. By mastering this crucial aspect, you don't just complete your essay—you elevate it.

IELTS Essay Conclusion: Detailed Breakdown

Combining all the elements, your conclusion for the sample question might look like this:

"In summary, the growing trend of solo living stems from deeper societal shifts like the desire for personal freedom and evolving norms. While this brings emotional liberation, it also poses challenges such as social isolation and financial strain. Swift societal changes, like improved mental health support and economic adjustments, are vital. As society evolves, proactively addressing these issues becomes crucial for collective well-being."

Let's break down how the revised, concise conclusion fulfills the essential elements for crafting a stellar IELTS conclusion as discussed earlier.

Skillfully Restated the Thesis:

"In summary, the growing trend of solo living stems from deeper societal shifts like the desire for personal freedom and evolving norms."

This sentence restates the thesis that the increase in solo living is driven by a quest for personal freedom and social changes, effectively recapping the essay's main argument.

Concisely Summarized the Main Points:

"While this brings emotional liberation, it also poses challenges such as social isolation and financial strain."

This sentence serves as a brief recap of the main points (let’s say we’ve discussed throughout the essay) highlighting both the positive and negative aspects of the trend toward solo living.

Provided Implications or Recommendations:

"Swift societal changes, like improved mental health support and economic adjustments, are vital."

Here, we outline the implications of the growing trend and recommend actionable steps, focusing on the need for societal adaptations such as better mental health services and financial policy adjustments.

Crafted a Memorable Final Sentence:

"As society evolves, proactively addressing these issues becomes crucial for collective well-being."

This sentence serves as a compelling closer, emphasizing the ongoing relevance and urgency of the subject matter.

Incorporated within this concise paragraph are all the key elements that contribute to a high-scoring IELTS essay conclusion. Mastering the art of concluding your IELTS essay can elevate your writing from good to exceptional. And remember, practice makes perfect. You can find extensively detailed guidance in our eBooks, and examiner’s reviews in our Essay Correction Service where we provide in-depth feedback along with a band 9 sample response to set you on the path to success. Happy writing!

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IELTS Writing: How To Write A Good Conclusion For Your IELTS Essay

Being able to write a good conclusion paragraph is a skill that most IELTS candidates are unaware of and is an important skill to master. Having a good conclusion can help to prove to the examiner that your score should be more than what they initially decided it should be. However, a poor conclusion can have the quite opposite effect. In this article, we will take a look at all the aspects that need to be included in a good conclusion.

What Should A Good Conclusion Include

In order to write a good conclusion, you need to know what to include and what to avoid in order to write a high scoring essay.

A good conclusion will:

• Neatly end the essay
• Link all your ideas together
• Sum up your argument or opinion
• Answer the question

Why Is A Good Conclusion Important

It's important for both the task achievement and cohesion criteria. It serves to summarise the contents of the essay and to emphasise the main opinion of the writer.

Some Tips To Write A Good Conclusion

Here are some tips about what to include in your conclusion, in order to make it an effective one. Firstly your conclusion should refer back to your introduction paragraph. The introduction paragraph is basically just a paraphrase of the question statement, and the first sentence of your conclusion (the summary sentence) will be a paraphrase of your introduction. Therefore your introduction and conclusion are always closely linked.

Once you have done this you should summarise the main points of your essay but remember to do this in a way that does not repeat the same vocabulary of phrases that you used in your main body paragraphs. This will signal to the examiner that you have a wide enough vocabulary for the task. Your summary should only include the main ideas and not any supporting ideas or examples, as this will make your conclusion too long and/or confusing.

The last sentence of your conclusion should either be a recommendation sentence or a prediction sentence.

A prediction is a statement about what you think will happen in the future.

A recommendation is a statement about what you think should happen in the future.

Do not add any new points in your conclusion, especially those that could have been added into the main body paragraphs. Remember your conclusion is meant to round up your arguments and emphasise your main opinion. Therefore, it is definitely not the time it introduces new arguments.

Let’s look at how to put these tips into action. Below is a sample IELTS question along with a model introduction and conclusion paragraph. Notice how both the introduction and the conclusion contain phrases that paraphrase the main question statements

For Example:

Some people believe that technology has made our lives too complex and the solution is to lead a simpler life without technology. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Introduction:

There are those who feel that technology has negatively impacted our lives by overcomplicating them and believe that we should eliminate it from our lives. This essay argues that in fact, quite the opposite is true since improved technology has actually made our lives simpler and has greatly improved our quality of life.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, I totally disagree with the opinion that we should turn away from technology because it overcomplicates our lives. We should rather learn to use technology wisely, as it has become an invaluable tool in almost every aspect of our lives.

100 Common Phrases For IELTS Academic Writing Task 2

The IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 is an important component of the IELTS exam and requires you to write a well-structured essay on a given topic.

One of the key tips to crafting an effective IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 essay is the use of appropriate phrases to convey ideas and arguments.

In this blog post, we will explore the 100 best phrases to use in the task to help you enhance your essay writing skills and achieve a higher score.

Best & Common Phrases For IELTS Academic Writing Task 2

Achieve your desired band score in the IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 with these 100 common and effective phrases:

1. Agreeing and disagreeing

2. Expressing causes and effects

3. Contrasting and comparing

4. Introducing examples

5. Explaining and clarifying ideas

6. Expressing personal opinion

7. Emphasizing importance

8. Giving reasons

9. Providing solutions

10. Supporting arguments

11. Stating advantages and disadvantages

12. Describing trends

13. Expressing certainty and doubt

14. Describing changes

15. Introducing evidence

16. Expressing likelihood and probability

17. Highlighting key points

18. Providing alternatives

19. Acknowledging other viewpoints

20. Concluding thoughts and summarizing

In conclusion, the IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 is a challenging aspect of the IELTS exam, but with the use of the best & common phrases for the various categories we have explored, you can significantly improve the overall structure and coherence of your essays.

It is important to practice incorporating these phrases into your writing to ensure that you are able to use them correctly and effectively during the exam.

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7 Steps to Structuring an IELTS Task 2 Essay

Posted by David S. Wills | Apr 6, 2020 | IELTS Tips , Writing | 0

In this week’s article, I want to show you how to structure an IELTS writing task 2 essay. I’ve written about this many times in the past, but today I want to show you a simple, 7-step approach that can guide you to the perfect essay.

First of all, I want to mention that there are lots of ways to write an amazing essay. There are also 5 different kinds of question, hundreds of topics, and lots of different combinations. This means that you cannot just memorise an answer or even memorise a structure. You can learn about that in my IELTS books :

However, this article will give you a guide to writing a great essay structure by logically sequencing your ideas. This can help you to score highly for Coherence and Cohesion, which is worth 25% of your writing score.

IELTS Essay Structure: The Basics

Before we begin with the 7 steps, I would like to give you a short overview. Writing an IELTS essay requires many skills and you have a lot of different criteria to meet in order to get a band 7 or above. Your essay will be judged in four ways, each accounting for 25% of the total score:

• Task Achievement
• Coherence and Cohesion
• Lexical Resource
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy

When thinking about structuring an essay, we are essentially talking about Coherence and Cohesion . Being able to produce a strong structure with logically sequenced ideas will give you a good chance of a high score in this section.

There are lots of different approaches, but most IELTS trainers agree that a four-paragraph structure is the best approach, with five paragraphs sometimes being appropriate. [ Read about 4 vs 5 paragraphs ] You should aim to divide your ideas sensibly and then build them in order to support your thesis or explain the issues as necessary.

Today, the steps that I will describe for you are as follows:

• Analyse the Question
• Brainstorm Ideas
• Plan your Overall Structure
• Plan your Internal Paragraph Structure
• Write a Strong Introduction
• Link your Sentences
• Write a Good Conclusion

1. Analyse the Question

Every IELTS question is different and so it is really important that you read it carefully in order to understand it fully. If you just read it quickly, you might get the wrong idea. It is natural for our brains to see a word and jump to a conclusion. For example, a question that mentions climate change might really be asking about solutions to fossil fuel emissions rather than the consequences of global warming. If you don’t understand the question, you cannot write a good answer.

Before you begin brainstorming , read the question at least twice. Let’s look at an example:

Some people claim that not enough of the waste from homes is recycled. They say that the only way to make people recycle more is to make it a legal requirement. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

When you first look at this question, your eyes will be drawn to keywords like “waste” and “recycle.” That is good, but we need to understand the full sentence. What sort of waste are we talking about? Waste from homes . What does “legal requirement” mean? It means make it a law .

You will always see a statement of some sort above and then the question below. Once you understand the statement, you should read the question. In this case, the question is “To what extent do you agree…?”

Therefore, you need to choose a position ( agree/disagree ) and then write an essay that explains your position.

Note: Some IELTS candidates believe that you have to give a balanced viewpoint. This is not necessarily true. You can read about it in this article .

2. Brainstorm Ideas

Once you understand the question, you can begin to think of ideas to use in your essay. My biggest piece of advice here is: DON’T CHOOSE TOO MANY IDEAS!!

Seriously, it is not helpful to use lots of different ideas or examples in your essay. Yes, this might help you reach 250 words easily, but your essay will definitely get a low score for Coherence and Cohesion (and possibly Task Achievement) because it will not be well organized and probably will lack sufficient development of ideas.

I encourage my writing students to follow the idea of ONE PARAGRAPH, ONE IDEA. In some essay types, this is easy. For example, in an advantages/disadvantages essay , you can just devote one body paragraph to advantages and the other to disadvantages. Simple!

However, in other types of essay, you might find it harder. With agree/disagree essays, you might have two reasons why you agree. In this case, you just put one reason in each body paragraph.

Let’s brainstorm now.

Personally, I agree that laws should be passed that require people to recycle their household waste. Therefore, I would consider the following ideas:

Those are just some ideas. Sometimes you will struggle to think of even two ideas and sometimes you will easily think of five or six. The important thing, though, is to choose the most important ones. Think about what would make the most convincing argument.

3. Plan your Overall Structure

By “overall structure,” I mean your basic paragraph plan. Every IELTS writing task 2 essay should have an introduction and conclusion , and at least two body paragraphs. This is the standard essay format and I highly recommend that you practice with it. Essays that have lots of paragraphs are usually a mess and will receive low scores for Coherence and Cohesion.

I want to write an advanced essay that will score band 9, so I am going to use an interesting structure that will allow me to show off my essay-writing skills. My first body paragraph will look at opposing viewpoints and then refute them, before the second body paragraph concisely states why we do need laws that make people recycle.  

For this essay, my overall structure would look like this:

This is a pretty simple and flexible paragraph structure. I highly recommend that you use it because once you become comfortable with it, you can really adapt it a lot. Even though it is basic and you can use it for scoring band 6, you can also use this structure for band 9 essays.

The reason is that you can vary the content of your body paragraphs greatly. Here, I have tried to give balance to the argument, even though I agree with one side – the need for laws. However, rather than simply state two compelling reasons, I will first dismiss the counter-arguments and then give an argument in favour of my viewpoint.

4. Plan your Internal Paragraph Structure

This is the most difficult part of structuring an essay and it is the reason why most people struggle to get a high score for Coherence and Cohesion.

It is really, really important for IELTS writing that your ideas are sequenced logically. That means they go from one idea to the next in a logical way. Look at these two example passages. One contains a logical flow of ideas and the other does not. Can you tell which is which?

• The case in favour of laws mandating recycling is simple and irrefutable. These laws would ensure that a far higher amount of household waste is recycled, thereby reducing the amount of pollution that goes into our environment. People cannot be trusted to do this for themselves, and the evidence exists in the places where environmental laws are strictly enforced, compared to those where they are non-existent, or weakly enforced.
• These laws would ensure that a far higher amount of household waste is recycled, thereby reducing the amount of pollution that goes into our environment. People cannot be trusted to do this for themselves, and the evidence exists in the places where environmental laws are strictly enforced, compared to those where they are non-existent, or weakly enforced. The case in favour of laws mandating recycling is simple and irrefutable.

Which one is correct? Answer: #1.

In this answer, I began with a topic sentence . This is a sentence that introduces an idea. I then explained that idea in more detail. Finally, I added another sentence that built upon the previous two. Both the second and third sentences supported the first. When you put them in the wrong order, they make no sense.

Finally, notice that I used certain words to refer back to previous ideas: these laws , do this .

5. Write a Strong Introduction

It’s really important with any kind of writing to give a strong introduction. This grabs your reader’s attention but also tells them what to expect from your writing. If an examiner reads a really terrible introduction, they will think that your body paragraphs are likely to be very bad, too.

As such, it is important that you devote a little time to writing an excellent intro.

What does that involve?

I recommend that people generally write a three-sentence introduction. (However, remember that there is no one perfect way to write an essay and so there are other good possibilities.)

I suggest this:

• General statement that addresses the topic.
• Slightly more specific statement that relates wider topic to specific question.
• A sentence that shows essay intention or overview. (This is often called an outline sentence .)

For the above question, I would write an introduction like this:

Pollution remains a significant problem all around the world and this is causing people to debate possible solutions. One such solution is for governments to impose laws requiring citizens to recycle certain kinds of waste from their homes. This essay will argue that environmental laws are essential to reducing waste and thereby saving the planet.

Let’s look at how those sentences are structured:

• A very general statement: pollution is a problem; people discuss solutions.
• More specific statement: introduce potential solution with simple detail
• Essay statement: state that laws are essential for solving problem

6. Link your Sentences

Next, you are going to need to write the body paragraphs. With your essay structure already written, it should not be too hard to do this. You need to follow a simple but effective internal paragraph structure that develops and supports each idea.

When you do this, it is important that you link your sentences. Now, if you have a good enough structure, your sentences will already be linked. That is because your ideas will flow naturally from one to the next.

As you will know, it is possible to use “ cohesive devices ” (also called transitional or linking words/phrases etc). These include words and phrases like: however, therefore, next, after that, meanwhile, on the other hand . They are very useful and help guide your reader, but you should not overuse them or it will make your writing weak.

Let’s look at my third paragraph as an example.

The case in favour of laws mandating recycling is simple and irrefutable. These laws would ensure that a far higher amount of household waste is recycled, thereby reducing the amount of pollution that goes into our environment. People cannot be trusted to do this for themselves, and the evidence exists in the places where environmental laws are strictly enforced, compared to those where they are non-existent, or weakly enforced. In the United Kingdom, people are required to recycle most of their household waste, and the environment is far cleaner than other countries, such as China, where people can throw any trash away without consequences.

How many cohesive devices did I use?

None. My sentences were already well-organized, so I did not need to use any.

You can read all about not using too many cohesive devices here .

7. Write a Good Conclusion

Finally, you must finish all your IELTS writing task 2 essays with a conclusion . This means a final paragraph that summarizes everything you have said so far and then references your key ideas. This can be either one or two sentences, but don’t write much more than that.

A conclusion will also differ according to the question type. Some might require you to make a suggestion or state an opinion, while others will really just require you to summarize you have said.

It is a pretty good idea to follow a structure like this:

• Paraphrase your main idea.
• Re-state your main arguments.

For example, here is my conclusion from the above question:

In conclusion, laws are absolutely essential to ensure that people recycle their household waste. Without such laws, very few people would actually go to the trouble of recycling; however, if governments enforce these laws, almost everyone would have to comply.

In this conclusion, the first sentence paraphrases my main idea (laws are necessary) and the second sentence re-states my main arguments (people would not recycle without laws; laws make people recycle).

Note that I have avoided repeating myself. In these two lines, I have simply referred to my previous arguments but I have not copied the things I already said. I have used new language for it.

Sample Band 9 Answer

Next, I will show you my answer for this question. Remember that this is just one possible answer. There are other ways to write a band 9 score. However, I do think that this is the best way because it is easy to learn and apply to your own essays. I recommend that you download the essay as a Microsoft Word (.docx) file because I have annotated it fully. You can see a clear explanation of what purpose each sentence has.

Sample Answer

Pollution remains a significant problem all around the world and this is causing people to debate possible solutions. One such solution is for governments to impose laws requiring citizens to recycle certain kinds of waste from their homes. This essay will argue that environmental laws are essential to reducing waste and thereby saving the planet. The case against laws imposing mandatory recycling revolve around the notion that people can learn to recycle by themselves, and this is true to an extent. With the improvement of education, people typically litter less and recycle more. However, our planet is presently in the grips of environmental catastrophe and it would take several generations for people to make changes to their lives. It is also sometimes argued that poor people cannot afford to make the sacrifice necessary to use less plastic and switch to sustainable products, and it is therefore unfair to punish them. However, mandatory recycling would not require people to immediately give up plastics; instead, they would simply be required to dispose of them in an ethical manner at a government-run recycling facility. The case in favour of laws mandating recycling is simple and irrefutable. These laws would ensure that a far higher amount of household waste is recycled, thereby reducing the amount of pollution that goes into our environment. People cannot be trusted to do this for themselves, and the evidence exists in the places where environmental laws are strictly enforced, compared to those where they are non-existent, or weakly enforced. In the United Kingdom, people are required to recycle most of their household waste, and the environment is far cleaner than other countries, such as China, where people can throw any trash away without consequences. In conclusion, laws are absolutely essential to ensure that people recycle their household waste. Without such laws, very few people would actually go to the trouble of recycling; however, if governments enforce these laws, almost everyone would have to comply.

You can download a copy of that sample essay here . This will allow you to see all of my annotations like this:

Improving your Writing Skills

If you really want to get better at IELTS writing, the best way is to have an expert check your work. People who use my writing correction service find that they can quickly identify their mistakes and improve their overall IELTS score.

E-mail me at david [at] ted-ielts [dot] com to find out more, or check the above link.

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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IELTS Conclusion Paragraph for Opinion Essay

This lesson looks at how to write an IELTS conclusion paragraph for an opinion essay given below. Before you practice the conclusion, make sure you have completed the other lessons for this topic:

• Finding Main Points
• Introduction Model
• Writing body paragraphs

Every one of us should become a vegetarian because eating meat can cause serious health problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

An IELTS conclusion paragraph should summarise the main opinion that you gave in your opinion essay – both in the introduction and the body paragraphs. The conclusion repeats the main points in brief and maintains your position.

This is the introduction for this essay: Eating meat is considered by some to damage our health and for that reason they believe all people should adopt a vegetarian diet. In my opinion, although a vegetarian diet is certainly a healthy option, having a balanced diet, which contains vegetables and some healthy meat, is the key.

The above introduction explains the main points and the position of this essay. Now you must restate the main points again for your conclusion paragraph. Use the tips below to help you.

Tips for an IELTS Conclusion Paragraph

• Paraphrase the main points introduced in your introduction
• Don’t put new main points in your conclusion
• Don’t change your opinion in the conclusion
• Don’t write over 40 words
• You can write either one or two sentences
• Can you have a concluding statement which is a predicting if you wish

Write your conclusion before you check the model. Model Conclusion In conclusion, by balancing both vegetables and healthy meats, for instance fish and chicken, people will be able to adapt their diet more easily in order to benefit their health.

Recommended Lessons

IELTS Video Lesson: IELTS Conclusion Linkers IELTS Video Lesson: Using the official answer sheet

Hi Liz, just finished my exam today. I did wrote a few sentences to conclude( therefore, I think that…). However, I did not write them as an independent paragraph. Is this ok? or an independent paragraph of conclusion is necessary? Thank you.

The conclusion is an independent paragraph. If you don’t use paragraphing well, it will affect your score for Coherence & Cohesion. Which score you will get in that marking criterion will depend on other factors as well as paragraphing. If the examiner can find no conclusion at all, you will score band 5 in Task Response which is 25% of your marks. If your conclusion is present but incomplete, there are no set rules for scoring this and your score will depend on a number of factors. I hope this helps. Good luck with your results !!

Hi Liz. I noticed a lot of my students introducing new ideas in their conclusions – often students would relent from their argument to add the down the middle: “but there are two sides to every coin”. I was preparing a lesson on essay writing tips to correct this habit. But while researching, I was reading a IELTS prep book which states that a “good conclusion generally includes”: 1) general summary 2) a focused summary 3) something new/your opinion

I can hardly believe it! “Something new”! What is this abomination? Can you shed any light? Would some IELTS essays benefit from adding a sprinkling of something new?

I suggest you stop using that book immediately. But let me give you some details first: 1) The conclusion must not include a new main point that has not been explained in the body paragraphs. If a student does this, they will struggle to get a high score in Task Response which is largely about expanding and supporting main points. That is the reason body paragraphs should be of equal length (more or less) – no main point should be less developed that another. 2) An IELTS essay is a short essay. It is usually between 13 and 15 sentences in length. The bulk of those sentences must be for the body paragraphs so that you sufficiently develop them. The introduction and conclusion provide specific functions only and should not be long. A long conclusion is not only a waste of time, it will lack focus which will lower your score. Adding more padding is great for IELTS Speaking and terrible for IELTS Writing. 3) The conclusion serves the function of restating (summarising) the main points you have already explained in the body paragraphs. This should be done in one sentence. It should be a very brief, focused summary. 4) You should not have two summaries of the same points – you do not have a general one and a focused one. You should have one only. One summarising statement. IELTS essays are all about each sentence being highly focused and highly relevant – without padding. A one sentence conclusion is 100% normal for IELTS. 5) It is possible to add a concluding statement, but it should not be a new main idea. If you are writing an opinion essay, which is all about your opinions, and then you add another new opinion in the conclusion, you will get a low mark in Task Response as I explained above. 6) If you are writing an essay without any opinion required at all, a concluding statement might actually be an opinion. 7) Most concluding statements are predictions. For example, “If XXX isn’t implemented soon, this problem is likely to continue or worsen.” This is not a new main point. It is simply an end of the conclusion which adds stress to what you’ve already said. 8) If students do not grasp the concept of a concluding statement and if they can’t write one safely, it is better to have no concluding statement at all. 9) Putting a concluding statement at the end of a conclusion will not increase a task 2 score. As I explained the conclusion serves a very limited function in an IELTS essay. 10) Direct your students to this page and this response if you need to. There is a lot of advice in books and online – be very careful what advice you follow. Not all of it will increase a task 2 score and some of it will actually lower a task 2 score.

Is there only one ideal answer for each question?

For instance, while attempting this essay, I wrote on the affordability aspect as well – not all societies can easily turn vegetarian as for many poor people, meat offers the best and the cheapest form of nutrition. And isn’t the affordability of food is also linked to health?

Well this is about diet and health problems. I’m not sure that affordability of food is relevant. Sometimes it depends on how you present your ideas. It’s how you link them to the issues in the question. No, there is not one possible answer. But if your ideas are not 100% relevant, then you will be marked down.

hi liz ,,would really aprreciate if u cud help me in formulating this phrase,,,what was outdated yesterday is a fashion in the tomorrow world,,,,is it correct or is there a different way of putting it,,thank you

Please do not learn phrases to use in your essay. Liz

Hello Liz, I think there is a typo somewhere at the very last sentence in the second option above. ‘a healthily’ Kindly help me and check it. Thank you Ma.

Well spotted! You are a good proof reader 🙂 Liz

Thank you Liz.

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IELTS Podcast

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Useful phrases for your next IELTS essay

December 12, 2022 By Ben Worthington

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In this tutorial, we look at useful phrases you can use in your next IELTS essay.

We look at:

• Useful phrases for your essay introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion
• How to adapt these phrases for your essays
• Why these phrases will improve your grammatical accuracy
• How you can use these phrases to impress the examiner

Join many other students who have achieved IELTS success with our online IELTS course or get instant feedback with our online essay checker .

You can download or listen to the full tutorial here:

| Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify

About Ben Worthington

As the founder of IELTSPodcast, Ben started his journey as an English educator in 2006. Ben and his team of teachers provide students with expert advice, twice a week to cover the writing, reading, listening and speaking sections of the IELTS exam.

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2 Responses

Hi my exam is on 24th December. This will be my 4th attempt. I don’t know how can I increase my score of speaking and writing from 6.5 to 7. Please help me out of possible

Thanks for reaching out to us.

I suggest you try our IELTS essay checker. You can get instant feedback on your writing, an estimated band score and feedback on what you need to improve.

You can try it here for FREE: https://essaycheck.ieltspodcast.co/draft

Top 100 Phrases for IELTS Writing Test

If you are taking the IELTS Writing Test, it is beneficial to have some key phrases in handy to assist you in getting a high band score. 

Expanding your IELTS Writing vocabulary is a good idea, but it is even more crucial to write naturally and articulately to get the best results. 

Phrases like ‘It can extend a person’s horizon,’ ‘The essence of the debate is, and ‘very debatable’ is now regarded as ‘ scripted phrases,’ and using them in your IELTS Writing Test will only result in you losing marks.

To ace the IELTS Writing Test, you will need to use essential words and phrases to convey the points you want to make in an articulate, intelligent, and compelling manner. 

While we do not encourage you to memorize phrases, having a better comprehension of the terms that should be used in an academic writing test will help you build the vocabulary that will quickly improve your marks in the IELTS Writing Test. 

Continue reading and learn the most effective and common phrases in IELTS Writing to give you the band score that will be your ultimate ticket to achieving your dreams of studying, working, or living abroad. 

What is the IELTS Writing Task?

Linking structures and cohesive devices, connecting words for both ielts tasks, vocabulary to use in writing task 1, general training test: vocabulary to write letters, vocabulary to use in ielts writing task 2 (both academic and general training), ielts writing sample responses, ielts academic writing test : word lists, commonly confused words in the english language, tricks to learn and remember english vocabulary, additional faqs on ielts writing test.

The IELTS Writing Test is one of the four sections in the IELTS Test , the other three being Speaking , Listening , and Reading Tests. 

It is different for the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training modules, but both tests have two tasks to be completed. It lasts about 60 minutes, and you are advised to spend only 20 minutes on the first task because the second task has more weight. 

The first task in the IELTS Academic Writing Test requires you to describe and explain the information given in either a graph, chart, map, table, or diagram. 

On the other hand, Task 1 of the IELTS General Training Writing Test asks you to compose a letter responding to a situation and requesting information and explanation. You should write at least 150 words in IELTS Writing Task 1 . 

Moreover, the second task in the IELTS Academic Writing and IELTS General Training Writing is the same. You need to respond to a point of view, problem, or argument by writing an essay. You need at least 250 words in IELTS Writing Task 2 . 

The IELTS Writing Task will be marked on the following criteria: grammar and sentence structure, vocabulary utilization, task response, and coherence and cohesion. 

Each contributes 25% to the overall score. Over the years, examiners have been impressed by candidates’ vocabulary and mastery of syntax but frustrated by how incoherently one sentence flows into the next.

Learn how to use linking structures and cohesive devices below:

How to Use Linking Words for IELTS Writing Task 1?

Academic test:.

You can use the different linking words in the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 for:

• transitioning from a description of one visual to the next
• comparing and contrasting the key features of the visuals
• pointing out and emphasizing details of the visuals 

General Training Test:

You can use the different linking words in the IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 for:

• describing the problem or situation 
• transitioning from one viewpoint to the next
• explaining your requests

How to Use Linking Words for IELTS Writing Task 2?

Academic and general training:.

You can use the different linking words in the IELTS Writing Task 2 for:

• presenting your opinion
• transitioning from one paragraph to the next
• providing reasons
• giving examples
• explaining conditions and consequences of different scenarios 

To get higher marks in the IELTS Writing Test, more linking words are required. To achieve coherence and cohesion, you must employ a variety of phrases to connect one thought to the next, allowing the reader to follow your reasoning. 

Here are the most effective and common phrases in the IELTS Writing Test:

Transitional Words

• In addition…
• Furthermore…
• Additionally…
• On top of that…

Cause and effect

• As a result…
• Accordingly…
• Consequently…
• On that account…
• For that reason…

Comparison/Contrast

• In contrast…
• Alternatively…
• Nevertheless…
• On the other hand…
• In the end…
• To sum up… 
• To conclude…
• To summarize…
• In conclusion…
• As long as…
• Provided that…
• Supposing that…
• On the condition that…
• Especially…
• In particular…
• Particularly…
• Importantly…
• Without a doubt…
• To illustrate…
• For instance…
• For example…
• The best example is…
• A very good example is…
• I concur that…
• I agree that….
• I think/feel/believe that…
• Personally, I feel that…
• As far as I am concerned…
• From my point of view…
• In spite of…
• Admittedly…
• Even though…
• First of all…
• To start with…
• Thirdly/fourthly/etc…

Academic Test:  Vocabulary to Describe Graphs

Introducing the graph

The graph/table/pie chart/bar chart/diagram…

• illustrates …
• explains why …
• describes …
• gives information about/on …
• provides information about/on …

Changes in the graph

• a growth of…
• a surge of…
• a decrease in…
• a decline in…
• a fluctuation in…
• a variation in…
• dramatically
• significantly
• considerably
• significant
• considerable
• substantial

1. Introduction of the Letter

• I am writing to inform you that …
• I am writing to ask/inquire …
• I am writing with regard to …
• I am writing in connection with …
• I am writing with reference to …
• It’s been a long time. I am writing to…
• I’m simply writing to inform you that…
• I haven’t seen you in a long time.
• Please accept my apologies for not writing in such a long time. I’ve been quite busy…

2. Body of the Letter

Asking for information.

• I’d like for you to…
• Could let me know if…
• I’d appreciate it if you could…
• I’m hoping you could inform me…
• I’d like to seek your opinion on…

Complaining

• This letter is to express my dissatisfaction…
• I’m writing to express my displeasure with…
• I’m writing to voice my disappointment with…
• I’m writing to tell you that I am disappointed… 

Expressing Gratitude

• I am thankful for…
• I’m very grateful for…
• I very much appreciated…
• I’d like to thank you very much for…

Apologizing

• I really regret that/about…
• Please accept my apologies for…
• I’d like to express my regret for…
• Please accept my sincere apologies for…

Giving Advice

• You should…
• You ought to…
• Why don’t you…
• If I were you, I’d…

Giving Suggestion

• If you like, I can…
• Do you want me to…
• What do you think about…
• I believe it would be fantastic if you…

3. Closing of the Letter

• I eagerly await your response.
• Thank you so much for your assistance.
• Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.
• I’m hoping for a quick resolution to the matter.
• Please do not hesitate to call me if you need any additional information.
• Please stay in contact!
• I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.
• Thanks a lot for your assistance, send me a message soon.
• Anyway, I have to leave now. If you need additional details, please write again.

Vocabulary to Write Essays

Expressing Opinions

• I’d argue that… 
• In my opinion…
• Personally, I believe…
• It appears to me that… 
• I have to admit that…
• As far as I can tell…
• As for me, I believe…
• That is something I cannot deny…
• I’d like to emphasize that…
• In my personal experience…

Proving Arguments

• This is testified by…
• This is evidenced by…
• This establishes that…
• This is attested/proven by…

Expressing General Point of View

• It is commonly stated that…
• According to popular belief…
• It is commonly assumed that…
• It is generally assumed that…
• It is largely agreed upon that…
• It’s a widely held assumption that…

Outlining Facts

• It is evident that …
• The truth is that …
• It is obvious that …
• This shows that …
• There is no doubt that …

Giving Examples

• As an example…
• Take for instance…
• We can see this in…
• A good illustration of this is…
• Evidence for this is manifested in…
• To summarize… 
• In conclusion… 
• In general…
• On balance… 
• Taking everything into account…

Additional Reading: IELTS Grammar

• Top 100 IELTS Phrasal Verbs
• Grammar for IELTS Exam: Complete Guide
• 50 Useful Phrases for the IELTS Speaking Test

The IELTS Writing Test is by no means easy. Most candidates would agree that this part of the test made them anxious. 

To impress the examiners and get a high band score , it is advised that you read and study different sample and model responses and learn the different writing techniques to help you achieve your desired band score. 

Here are some of them. Take note of the transition words and vocabulary used. 

You were supposed to start a new job next week, but you won’t be able to because of certain issues. Send a letter to your new boss. In your letter, 

• give an explanation of your circumstances
• state your issues
• inform him/her when you think you’ll be able to begin.

How much do you agree or disagree with the claim that e-books and modern technology will completely replace conventional newspapers and magazines?

Example 4: 

Some argue that children should be educated to compete, while others argue that they should be taught to cooperate. What are your thoughts on the matter?

The IELTS Writing Test requires an extensive vocabulary. Having a diverse vocabulary is one of the secrets to writing an effective essay. However, it is not enough to memorize the words; you also need to know how to use them in your writing.

We have listed a set of word lists to help you with your IELTS Writing Test.

Do not be worried if you will not memorize all the word lists: quality trumps quantity! It is far preferable to learn 1 word-lists well rather than 5 word-lists poorly.

Word List 1

Word List 2

Word List 3

Word List 4

English is a complicated language. Some words look the same, and some sound the same.

Recognizing the difference between these similar words could be tricky. 

We want to help you succeed on your IELTS journey, so we are providing you with some of the most commonly confused words in the English language. Pay close attention to these words and avoid the past mistakes most candidates have committed. 

Affect vs. Effect

Meaning: To have an influence or effect on something/someone

Example Sentence:

Meaning: To cause something to happen

Loose vs. Lose

Meaning : Not fitting tightly or closely

Meaning : (1) To fail to win or

(2) to misplace something

Lay vs. Lie

Meaning : To put down gently or carefully

Meaning : To assume a horizontal position on a resting surface

Accept vs. Except

Meaning : To consent to receive

Meaning : Not included

Complement vs. Compliment

Meaning : Something that fills up, completes, or makes better

Meaning : A polite expression of praise

Farther vs. Further

Meaning : Over a large expanse of physical distance

Meaning : Over a large expanse figurative distance

Passed vs. Past

Meaning : Simple past tense of ‘pass’

Meaning : Gone by in time and no longer existing

Elicit vs. Illicit

Meaning : Draw out a response from someone

Meaning : Forbidden by law

Any way vs. Anyway

Meaning: A phrase that means in any manner or method

Meaning : Used to confirm an idea just mentioned 

Than vs. Then

Meaning : Used before the second element in a comparison 

Meaning : An adverb indicating time or sequence.

Its vs. It’s

Meaning : Belonging to or associated with a thing previously mentioned

Meaning : Contraction of ‘it is’

Their vs. There vs. They’re

Meaning : Belonging to or associated with people or things previously mentioned 

Meaning : An adverb of place (in, at, to)

Meaning : Contraction of ‘they are’

Your vs. You’re

Meaning : Belonging to or associated with the person or people the speaker is talking to

Meaning : Contraction of ‘you are’

Who vs. Whom

Meaning : A pronoun used as a subject refers to a person or people

Meaning :   A pronoun used as an object referring to a person or people

That vs. Which

Meaning : Used when the phrase after it is essential in the sentence

Meaning : Used when the phrase after it is not essential in the sentence

Meaning : A preposition that indicates the direction

Meaning : An adverb that means in addition or also

You will not get very far with your language skills, no matter how brilliant your grammar is if you do not know any words to use it with. Vocabulary brings up new worlds while also making studying enjoyable and rewarding.

However, extending your vocabulary is like going on a diet. You need to exert effort, and there is no magic trick, no secret, and no one-size-fits-all method for doing so. You must identify what works best for you. Nevertheless, being patient, setting reasonable objectives, and rewarding yourself when you achieve them are sound strategies that can be supplemented with the following suggestions.

• Make Use of Memory Tricks : Mnemonics are mental shortcuts that will help you remember more complicated concepts or words. It is a popular approach to memorizing a language. You can make associations between words. For example, when you need to buy Spaghetti, Tomatoes, Olives, Rice , and Eggs from the STORE . Furthermore, the more you think about acronyms or associations, the better you will remember the phrases that go with them.
• Create an Environment Conducive to Learning : When you study abroad, you will hear and read the language everywhere, allowing you to acquire the language far more quickly through immersion. Luckily, you do not need to travel overseas to enhance your vocabulary gradually. You may create an inspirational and study-friendly environment wherever you are. Purchase publications or books in the new language, watch movies and prepare (or simply eat) local cuisine.
• Make Use of a Notebook : Writing new words in a tangible notebook has a romantic quality to it. Just add a new word to a running vocabulary list when you come across a new word that you do not recognize. Then, a few times a week, go over the list, obliterating the English definitions and attempting to recall what each term meant. The more you read through the notebook, the easier it will be to recall the words. You can eventually cross off the words you know, so you do not have to go over them again.
• Put the Words in Their Proper Context : Putting words in context is a fantastic way to learn more vocabulary faster. Consider putting them together in phrases rather than composing lists of random words. That way, you will understand how the word is utilized in everyday situations. It will also be easier to remember if you come up with entertaining sentences. You can also generate drawings or discover visuals that will complement the sentences and place the words in their natural home, depending on how you learn.
• Take it a Step Further : Allow adequate space for mind maps with connected words, synonyms, and antonyms if you want to take your learning a step higher. If you’re going to make the most of your learning, try explaining and describing the word in English rather than translating it into your original tongue.
• Put in The Effort : The most crucial thing you will need to recall English words is the appropriate attitude and the willingness to put in the effort. However, there is no such thing as a magical system. None of the approaches listed above are “correct” or “incorrect.” Find something that works for you and utilize it regularly. Experiment with a few to find which produces the greatest results.

Additional Reading: How to Improve Your English Speaking Skills

• How to Speak English Without an Accent
• 30+ Tips to Speak English Without Grammar Mistakes

Is it Okay to Write 400 Words in IELTS Writing?

Candidates should write words that are slightly above the word limit. That is 170 – 190 words in the IELTS Writing Task 1 and 270 – 290 words in the IELTS Writing Task 2.

However, note that there is no word limit, and you will not lose marks for exceeding the word limit.

Keep in mind that the examiners will mark your IELTS Writing not based on the number of words you write but on the quality of your work. 

Is a 7 in IELTS Writing Good?

Yes, a band score of 7 in the IELTS Writing Test is good. It means that you are a ‘good user’ and that you have impressed the examiner enough to give you a 7.

Most candidates have not been able to achieve this as the IELTS Writing Test is arguably the most challenging.

So if you get a 7 (or higher) band score, be proud.

How is the IELTS Writing Marked?

The examiner will focus on four primary areas: 

(1) how you were able to answer the question well;  (2) how well you connect an idea to the text;  (3) your vocabulary range and accuracy; and  (4) your grammatical forms range and accuracy. Each criterion contributes 25 percent of your overall marks in the IELTS Writing Test. 

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Useful Phrases for IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay

Here we have listed useful vocabulary and phrases you can use when writing an essay in IELTS Writing Task 2 . Instead of providing an extensive list of 100+ essay phrases for IELTS, we have narrowed it down to the most essential.

Keep the vocabulary list next to you while you practise, so you can get ideas for linking and expressing your views.

• Over the last century ...
• The idea that ... has its merits.
• While this is an interesting proposal and has some merit, my own view is that it would ...
• Despite these arguments, there is an equally strong case to be made that it would be ...
• There is much debate about the position. I will discuss both these ... in this essay.
• This is a complex issue and my belief is that ...
• There are a variety of potential ways of combatting this problem.
• However, in order to find a solution, it is first of all necessary to understand what has led to this happening.
• Finding the right policies is not an easy task as it is a complex problem.
• There is some dispute whether the best method of …

Stating viewpoints

• There are different viewpoints held in this discussion.
• Some people argue that ..., while others think that ...
• However, there is a large body of opinion which is opposed to …
• It is said that three-quarters of all children ...

To add more points on a topic

• There are several reasons why ...
• It can also be argued that ...
• This is certainly not an easy issue though, because ... has caused as many problems as it solves.
• ... is the only point to be taken into consideration when ...
• ... is an urgent problem that needs to be addressed.
• At the same time, a lot of publicity is given to what the public consider to be ...
• Most of the experts blame … for this problem.
• Given that … is cheap and ..., it is not surprising that ...
• My conclusion is therefore that ...
• In conclusion, I believe that while there are real merits on both sides of the argument, the moral case against forcing people to work slightly outweighs any benefit to ...
• Its benefits outweigh the drawbacks and have a positive effect on many aspects of our lives ...
• All things considered, ...
• My own personal view is that there is merit in both sides of the debate.
• Finally, ...

See also: Linking Words For IELTS Writing and Speaking

MORE RESOURCES

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IELTS Two-part Question Essay Sample

Vocabulary for IELTS Essay

Linking words for IELTS

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Useful Words and Phrases to use in IELTS Essay

Useful expressions for writing your essay for a higher band score:.

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• Transitional Phrases

Transitional Phrases for Essays

This lesson shows you  transitional phrases for essays  in order to help you present other people’s arguments in your IELTS writing essays for part 2.

This lesson is aimed more at those who are wanting a  band 7 or higher  as this page will show you a more sophisticated way of presenting arguments.

Presenting Two Sides of an Argument

When you write an argumentative essay, it is likely that you will want to present two sides of an argument.

Take a look at this paragraph from an essay (which was recently posted as a model essay on this site) which is in answer to this question:

University education should be free to everyone, regardless of income. 

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

The person is presenting the side of the argument about why education should not be free:

Body Paragraph: Arguments against free education 

Firstly , students should be charged because education is becoming more expensive to fund as universities grow in size. Consequently, making students pay may maintain standards and ensure the quality of the teaching.  In addition , students benefit from university in terms of higher paid jobs, so it is fair that they pay for at least some of the cost, especially given that the majority of students attending university are from the middle classes.  Last but not least , in many countries, there is a shortage of people to do manual jobs such as plumbing and carpentry, so making university more expensive may encourage people to take up these jobs.

The paragraph is fine but it does look like the opinions being presented are the writers own views.

What if you want to make it clear that they are not your opinions, but those of someone else because you intend to disagree with it in your next paragraph or because you don't want to make it clear which side of the argument you agree with until the end?

The paragraph has now got some transitional phrases for essays that make it clear that they are not your arguments, but another person's:

One argument put forward in favour of  c harging students is that education is becoming more expensive to fund as universities grow in size. Consequently, making students pay may maintain standards and ensure the quality of the teaching.  In addition,  it is argued that  most students benefit from university in terms of higher paid jobs, so it is fair that they pay for at least some of the cost, especially given that the majority of students attending university are from the middle classes.  Last but not least , in many countries, there is a shortage of people to do manual jobs such as plumbing and carpentry, so making university more expensive may encourage people to take up these jobs.

The last point “Last but not least, in many countries…” has not been changed, but this would be overdoing it. It is clear by this point that all the arguments the writer is presenting are other people’s.

In your next paragraph, you may then want to present your arguments. So you may begin your paragraph with something like:

However, I do not believe these arguments stand up to scrutiny.   Firstly,...

Alternatively, you may want to present another paragraph with other people's ideas, that shows the opposite side of the argument. So your second paragraph may begin:

However,  some people oppose these views. Firstly, they claim that ...

And then you would let the reader know in your conclusion your position on the matter.

Here are some examples of transitional phrases for essays that can be used:

• It has been argued that…
• Some people claim / argue / believe / think that…
• An argument commonly put forward is that…
• Those that support (topic) argue / believe / claim that…
• Proponents of (topic) argue / believe / claim that…
• These arguments have been critisized for several reasons...

These are just some examples. There will be some other ways.

I suggested these as band 7 and above as it is a more difficult skill to place them in your essay. They can't just be placed in front of an idea and used like a transition such as " Firstly,... " in the hope of getting a band 7!

They create a certain register or tone that you are writing with so you need to make sure the rest of your essay fits with this style.

Here is an example of another full essay using this style: animal rights essay

Also check out this video which gives you more ideas for band 7 transitional phrases for essays that can help you move up from a band 6. 

More Task 2 IELTS Lessons:

How to Identify the Topic of an IELTS Essay Question

In IELTS you must identify the topic of your essay as this is a key to making sure your essay is on topic.

Using Pronouns to Improve IELTS Essay Coherency

Find out how to use pronouns to improve your coherency for IELTS task 2 essays.

How to Identify the Task in an IELTS Essay

Learn how to identify the task in an IELTS task 2 essay question. This is one of the most important steps in responding to an essay question.

Tips on How to Score IELTS Band 8 in Writing and Speaking

To score IELTS Band 8 you need to understand exactly what is in the IELTS Band Descriptors for an 8 for writing and speaking first.

IELTS Task Response - 25% of your essay grade

The IELTS Task Response criteria in the scoring makes up 25% of your band score for your essay.

IELTS Music Essay: Understanding a Complex Question

An IELTS essay about music is used to show you how to answer a more complex IELTS essay question that does not have a clear 'task' given to you.

The 3 Types of IELTS Opinion Essays in IELTS

IELTS opinion essays in IELTS can be placed into three types. This lesson explains the different types and how to analyse these essay questions.

Paragraph Writing for IELTS: Building strong arguments

This paragraph writing lesson provides tips on constructing the best paragraphs for your IELTS essay.

Using Substitution in IELTS to Improve Writing Coherency

You can use substitution in your IELTS essays in order to improve coherency and coherence.

IELTS Problem Solution Essay Strategies and Tips

In IELTS problem solution essays you have to discuss a particular issue and present ideas to solve that problem.

How to Write an IELTS Essay: The key steps

Learn key steps on how to write an IELTS Essay. This guides you on how to write a great essay plus other lessons to improve your writing skills.

Generating ideas for IELTS essays for writing task 2

Generating ideas for IELTS essays for writing task 2 can be difficult but complex ideas are not expected.

Requirements for IELTS Band 7 in Writing

Getting to an IELTS Band 7 is a struggle for many candidates. This lesson explains exactly what you have to do to reach this band score.

Writing an IELTS Essay Conclusion

The IELTS essay conclusion is the final part of your IELTS essay. This lesson guides you on how to write a conclusion quickly but effectively.

Writing an IELTS Essay Introduction

Tips on how to write an introduction for an IELTS essay introduction in a quick and easy way.

Thesis Statement Tips for IELTS Essays

Your thesis statement in an IELTS essay should be written quickly and concisely. Use these tips to do that.

Improving Writing Coherence for IELTS essays

25% of the writing grade is on how you organise your essay so this lesson shows you how to improve your writing coherence.

How to use brainstorming and planning to generate essay ideas.

Brainstorming and planning is a key step in developing your IELTS essay. This lesson has tips on how to coming up with ideas and organising them.

Can you use Personal Pronouns in Essays for IELTS?

Learn how to use personal pronouns in essays for IELTS correctly. Can you use "I", "we" and "you"?

IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Tips and Strategies

An advantage disadvantage essay is one type of essay that you may get in the test. This lesson shows how to write a pros cons essay.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Free Mental Health Services – Sample Essays and Analysis

Mental health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, and the topic of Free Mental Health Services has been gaining traction in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. Based on recent trends and the increasing global focus on mental health, it’s highly likely that this theme will continue to appear in future IELTS exams. Let’s explore a relevant question that has been observed in past IELTS tests and could potentially resurface:

Some people believe that governments should provide free mental health services to all citizens. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Analyzing the Question

This question asks for your opinion on whether governments should offer free mental health services to everyone. It’s crucial to:

• Clearly state your position (agree, disagree, or partially agree)
• Provide reasons and examples to support your stance
• Consider potential counterarguments
• Maintain a balanced perspective throughout your essay

Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores.

Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)

Mental health is an integral component of overall well-being, yet it often receives less attention and funding compared to physical health. I strongly agree that governments should provide free mental health services to all citizens, as this approach would yield significant benefits for individuals and society as a whole.

Firstly, universal access to free mental health services would ensure that all members of society, regardless of their financial status, can receive the care they need. Mental health issues do not discriminate based on socioeconomic status, and neither should access to treatment. By removing financial barriers, governments can promote early intervention and prevent the exacerbation of mental health problems, which often lead to more severe and costly consequences when left untreated.

Moreover, investing in mental health services can result in substantial long-term economic benefits for a country. A mentally healthy population is more productive, creative, and resilient, contributing positively to the workforce and economy. The World Health Organization estimates that for every $1 invested in mental health treatment, there is a $4 return in improved health and productivity. This demonstrates that providing free mental health services is not just a social obligation but also a sound economic strategy.

However, some may argue that offering free mental health services could place an excessive burden on government budgets. While this concern is valid, it’s important to consider the hidden costs of untreated mental health issues, such as increased healthcare expenditures, lost productivity, and social welfare payments. By investing in preventive care and early intervention through free mental health services, governments can potentially reduce these long-term costs.

In conclusion, the provision of free mental health services by governments is a crucial step towards creating a healthier, more equitable society. The benefits of such an initiative extend far beyond individual well-being, positively impacting the economy and social fabric of a nation. As mental health continues to gain recognition as a fundamental aspect of public health, it is imperative that governments take proactive measures to ensure universal access to these essential services.

(Word count: 316)

Essay Analysis

This essay demonstrates characteristics of a Band 8-9 response:

• Clear position : The writer strongly agrees with the statement and maintains this stance throughout.
• Coherent structure : The essay has a clear introduction, body paragraphs with distinct ideas, and a conclusion.
• Well-developed arguments : Each point is thoroughly explained and supported with examples or data.
• Sophisticated vocabulary : The essay uses advanced vocabulary accurately (e.g., “exacerbation,” “resilient,” “imperative”).
• Complex sentence structures : The writer employs a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences.
• Cohesive devices : Appropriate linking words and phrases are used to connect ideas smoothly.
• Counterargument addressed : The essay acknowledges and responds to a potential opposing view.

Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)

Mental health is becoming more important in our society today. I agree that governments should provide free mental health services to all citizens because it can help many people and improve society.

One reason why free mental health services are good is that they can help people who cannot afford to pay for treatment. Many people with mental health problems don’t get help because it’s too expensive. If the government makes these services free, more people can get the help they need. This can stop small problems from becoming bigger and more serious.

Another benefit of free mental health services is that it can make society better. When people are mentally healthy, they can work better and be happier. This means they can contribute more to their community and the economy. Also, treating mental health problems early can prevent other issues like crime or homelessness, which cost the government money to deal with.

However, some people might say that providing free mental health services is too expensive for the government. It’s true that it would cost a lot of money at first, but in the long run, it could save money. If people are mentally healthy, they might need less help from other government services in the future.

In conclusion, I believe that governments should offer free mental health services to everyone. It would help individuals get the care they need and make society healthier and more productive. While it might be expensive at first, the long-term benefits are worth the investment.

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This essay demonstrates characteristics of a Band 6-7 response:

• Clear position : The writer agrees with the statement and maintains this stance throughout.
• Coherent structure : The essay has an introduction, body paragraphs with distinct ideas, and a conclusion.
• Developed arguments : Each point is explained and supported, though not as thoroughly as in the Band 8-9 essay.
• Appropriate vocabulary : The essay uses relevant vocabulary, though not as sophisticated as the higher band essay.
• Varied sentence structures : The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentences.
• Basic cohesive devices : Some linking words and phrases are used to connect ideas.
• Counterargument addressed : The essay briefly acknowledges and responds to a potential opposing view.

Key Vocabulary

Mental health (noun) /ˈmen.təl helθ/: A person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being.

Intervention (noun) /ˌɪn.təˈven.ʃən/: The act of becoming involved in a difficult situation in order to improve it or prevent it from getting worse.

Exacerbation (noun) /ɪɡˌzæs.əˈbeɪ.ʃən/: The act of making something worse.

Resilient (adjective) /rɪˈzɪl.jənt/: Able to quickly return to a previous good condition.

Imperative (adjective) /ɪmˈper.ə.tɪv/: Extremely important or urgent.

Proactive (adjective) /proʊˈæk.tɪv/: Taking action to cause change and not only reacting to change when it happens.

Universal access (noun phrase) /ˌjuː.nɪˈvɜː.səl ˈæk.ses/: The ability for all people to have equal opportunity to a service or product.

Long-term benefits (noun phrase) /lɒŋ tɜːm ˈben.ɪ.fɪts/: Advantages or improvements that will be experienced over an extended period.

Productivity (noun) /ˌprɒd.ʌkˈtɪv.ə.ti/: The rate at which a person, company, or country does useful work.

Socioeconomic status (noun) /ˌsəʊ.si.əʊ.iː.kəˈnɒm.ɪk ˈsteɪ.təs/: An individual’s or group’s position within a hierarchical social structure, based on wealth, occupation, and social status.

The topic of free mental health services is highly relevant in today’s society and is likely to appear in future IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. By understanding the key elements of a strong essay and practicing with sample questions, you can improve your writing skills and prepare effectively for the test.

Some other potential questions related to this topic might include:

• Should mental health education be mandatory in schools? Why or why not?
• Do you think employers should provide mental health support for their employees? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
• How can governments encourage people to take care of their mental health? Give reasons and examples to support your answer.

We encourage you to practice writing essays on these topics and share them in the comments section below. This active practice will help you refine your skills and prepare for success in your IELTS Writing Task 2 exam.

To learn more about related topics, you might find these articles helpful:

• Why Mental Health Services Should Be Free
• Universal Healthcare Challenges Worldwide
• Mental Health Awareness in Workplaces
• Education Vocabulary
• Health Vocabulary
• IELTS essay samples
• IELTS Writing
• Sample Essay
• Vocabulary List

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