Interactive Lab - IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types

Stage 1 • Welcome

First, diagnose the real problem

A familiar topic does not tell you the essay type. The instruction controls what your answer must do.

1

Find the instruction

Separate the topic statement from the words that tell you what to do.

2

Map every action

Turn each instruction into a plain-language command before choosing a structure.

3

Check before you start

Make sure your position and ideas are clear enough to develop without repetition or contradiction.

Why this matters: official IELTS guidance asks you to read how many parts the prompt contains, cover every part and express a clear position. This Lab trains those controlled decisions; it does not score free writing.

Important: Some prompts combine functions. When the wording is mixed, the exact required actions matter more than finding a perfect label.

Standards checked against IELTS.org prompt guidance and the official Writing band descriptors. Practice prompts are original Ross IELTS Academy material, not official test questions.

Stage 2 • Baseline diagnosis

How do you currently classify prompts?

Answer all five questions without checking notes. Each question represents one broad Task 2 family.

Stage 3 • Decoder map

Translate the instruction into actions

Use the label only after the exact requirements are clear.

At this stage, use five broad families only. The different Advantages / Disadvantages instructions will be taught inside their dedicated lesson.

OpinionJudge how far you agree and keep that position clear.To what extent…?

DiscussionExplain both views; add your opinion only when requested.Discuss both views…

Advantages / DisadvantagesIdentify that the task is asking about benefits, drawbacks or both.Advantages? Disadvantages?

Causes / Problems / SolutionsAnswer the exact nouns and match solutions to the diagnosis.Causes? Problems? Measures?

Double QuestionsSeparate Q1 and Q2 and develop both.Why…? Is this…?

!

Safe rule: “Cause” means why a situation began. “Problem” or “effect” means what harmful result it creates. These are not interchangeable.

Stage 4 • Brainstorm before you write

Choose a position you can develop

Choose the position you can explain most clearly—not necessarily the opinion you feel most strongly about.

Before you start, can you tick all four boxes?

☐ I have two different main ideas.

☐ I can explain why each idea matters.

☐ I can support at least one idea with a clear example.

☐ I can keep the same position until the conclusion.

90-second brainstorm

20 sec: rewrite the required actions.

35 sec: list possible ideas without judging them.

25 sec: remove overlap and weak support.

10 sec: choose the clearest route.

If Body 2 repeats Body 1 using different words, the plan is not ready.

Stage 5 • Mixed wording

Follow the prompt—not a memorised label

Some tasks combine functions or omit the wording you normally expect. List the required decisions in order.

✓

Mixed-prompt rule: First identify every explicit action. Then choose a structure that completes those actions. The label is only a shortcut.

Stage 6 • Speed round

Decode five prompts in 90 seconds

Each prompt represents one broad Task 2 family. Accuracy still matters more than speed.

Optional planning timerYou can still finish after time reaches zero.

01:30

Stage 7 • Writing Skills Profile

Your controlled-skill diagnosis

This profile reflects how you identified prompts, translated instructions and tested your ideas. It is not an IELTS Writing band score.

I will box the instruction words before I plan my next Task 2 response. I will check that every planned paragraph completes a required action. I understand that this controlled profile is not an automated band score.