IELTS Writing Task 2: The Habits That Keep Nigerian Candidates at Band 6
Task 2 is worth twice as much as Task 1 and is where most Nigerian candidates lose their band. The fix is rarely more vocabulary. It is answering the exact question, building each paragraph around one idea, and dropping the phrases examiners have seen ten thousand times.
I mark a lot of practice essays, and I can often predict the band from the first sentence. "In this contemporary era of globalisation" is usually a 6. Not because it is wrong, but because it tells me the writer is reaching for a formula instead of answering the question in front of them.
In this guide
How Task 2 is marked
You have 40 minutes to write at least 250 words. The examiner scores four things equally: Task Response (did you answer every part of the question), Coherence and Cohesion (is it organised and easy to follow), Lexical Resource (range and accuracy of vocabulary) and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
Task 2 counts for twice as much as Task 1 in your Writing band, so if time is short, protect Task 2.
Habits that cap you at Band 6
- Memorised openings. "It is a truism that", "In this contemporary era", "This essay will discuss". Examiners discount memorised language, and it wastes words that could be answering the question.
- Answering half the question. "Discuss both views and give your opinion" has three jobs. Many essays discuss one view at length and give no clear opinion. That alone limits Task Response.
- Big words used wrongly. One misused word costs more than a plain word used correctly. Range only counts when it is accurate.
- Paragraphs with three ideas. Each body paragraph needs one main idea, explained and supported with an example.
- Long introductions. Two sentences are enough: paraphrase the question and state your position.
- No time to check. Missing articles and agreement errors ("the people is") pull down the grammar score. Keep three minutes to read your essay back.
Expressions to leave out
Some phrases are normal in Nigerian English but read as errors in IELTS, which is marked against international standard English. Swap them for these:
| Instead of | Write |
|---|---|
| in the nearest future | in the near future |
| on the long run | in the long run |
| discuss about | discuss |
| voice out | voice, express |
| more so | moreover, in addition |
| at the end of the day | ultimately |
| severally | several times, repeatedly |
A shape that works
- Plan for five minutes. Decide your position and your two main ideas before you write.
- Introduction, two sentences. Paraphrase the question, then give your answer.
- Two body paragraphs. Each opens with one clear point, explains it, and gives a specific example.
- Conclusion, two sentences. Restate your position in new words. No new ideas.
- Check for three minutes. Articles, plurals, verb agreement and spelling.
A paragraph, before and after
Question: Some people think governments should spend more on public transport than on roads. To what extent do you agree?
In this contemporary era, transportation is a very crucial and pivotal aspect of human existence and more so it affects everybody in the society in so many ways. Therefore the government should look into it.
Investing in public transport can reduce traffic more effectively than building new roads. In Lagos, for example, a single BRT bus can carry the passengers of dozens of private cars, while every new road tends to fill with more vehicles within a few years. Money spent on buses and rail therefore moves more people for the same cost.
The second version is shorter in ideas but stronger in every criterion: it makes one clear point, supports it with a real example and uses precise vocabulary correctly.
How to practise
Write two timed essays a week and get each one marked against the four criteria. Keep a list of the errors that come back, and check your next essay for exactly those. Our 6 to 8 week IELTS plan shows where Writing fits in your preparation.
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Common questions
How many words should IELTS Writing Task 2 be?
At least 250 words. Aim for about 260 to 300. Writing much more leaves less time to plan and check, and length on its own does not raise your band.
How is IELTS Writing Task 2 marked?
Four criteria count equally: Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
Is Task 2 worth more than Task 1?
Yes. Task 2 counts for twice as much as Task 1 in your Writing band, so give it about 40 of your 60 minutes.
Should I use memorised phrases in IELTS Writing?
No. Examiners recognise memorised language and do not credit it. Plain, accurate English that answers the question scores higher.
How can I move from Band 6 to Band 7 in Writing?
Answer every part of the question, build each paragraph around one idea with a specific example, use vocabulary you are sure of, and leave time to correct grammar errors.