IELTS Writing

Task 1 and 2 Explained

IELTS Writing is often the hardest part of the IELTS exam to improve. Many students practise regularly but, because they are not sure what structure and language examiners are looking for, their band score stays the same.

Here you’ll find clear guidance on writing Academic Task 1 reports, General Training Task 1 letters, and Task 2 essays. We also explain how examiners use the official writing band descriptors to calculate your final score.

If you’re also practising Speaking, our IELTS Speaking hub explains the scoring criteria and how to build flexible answers.

How the IELTS Writing test works

The IELTS Writing test has two parts: Task 1 and Task 2. Your final writing band score is based on four assessment criteria used by examiners worldwide.

To score well, it is not enough to “write more”; you need to understand how your writing is assessed and why examiners reward certain features.

A decorated screenshot of the IELTS writing band descriptors

What examiners are looking for

In both tasks, examiners award marks for Task Achievement/Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. This means that your score is not based on ideas alone. You also have to clearly organise your ideas and accurately express them.

Task 2 is double weighted, meaning that it contributes twice as much to your writing band score as Task 1. This makes it important to avoid common Task 2 mistakes, such as writing long answers with unclear paragraphing, repeating the same vocabulary, or producing frequent grammar errors. The fastest way to improve is to practise under timed conditions, then use tutor writing feedback and model answers to fix the specific problems that are limiting your band score.

View the Writing Band Descriptors

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Task 1 vs Task 2 – What’s the difference?

Task 1 (Academic)

Academic Writing Task 1 asks you to describe visual information such as graphs, charts, tables, maps or process diagrams.

Examiners assess how accurately you summarise key features, compare data clearly, and use an appropriate academic tone. It is important to remember that this task is about reporting information; we shouldn’t give our opinion.

Academic Task 1 Courses

Task 1 (General Training)

General Training Writing Task 1 asks you to write a letter about a practical situation (for example: requesting information, explaining a problem, or making a complaint).

Examiners assess task completion, clear organisation, and tone (formal, semi-formal, or informal). This task is about everyday written communication.

General Task 1 Courses

Task 2 (Academic & General)

Writing Task 2 is the same for Academic and General Training candidates. You must write a formal essay responding to an opinion, argument, or problem.

Task 2 counts double and has the biggest impact on your final writing band score. Examiners assess your ideas, development, paragraphing, vocabulary, and grammatical accuracy.

Task 2 Courses

The most effective ways to improve IELTS Writing

Option 1 – Self-study

If you want clear structure, model answers, and step-by-step guidance, our premium self-study writing courses explain exactly how examiners expect you to respond to each task type.

View Premium Writing Courses

Example lessons from IELTSTutors premium IELTS writing course displayed on a mobile phone and a laptop

Option 2 – One-to-One Classes

If you want to understand why your writing score is limited and fix problems quickly, we naturally recommend a one-to-one IELTS writing class with one of our tutors!

View One-to-One Options