W12: Not answering every part of the Task 2 question

Here's a painful truth. Many Bangladeshi students write a long essay with good grammar and still get 6, because they answered only half the question. The question asked for causes and solutions, and they wrote only about causes. Or it asked about young people, and they wrote about everyone. Task Response is the criterion where this costs the most.

Why this matters

Task Response is a quarter of your Task 2 score, and Task 2 is worth more than Task 1. If you only partly answer the question, your Task Response score is limited, no matter how good your English is. It's the biggest single trap in IELTS Writing.

Three ways students miss part of the question

1. Missing one of two questions

"Why do people choose to live in cities? What problems does this cause?"

Some students write only about why people move. Two questions means two clear answers.

2. Missing your opinion

"Discuss both views and give your own opinion."

That's three jobs: view 1, view 2, and your opinion. Many students explain both views and forget their own position, or only hint at it in the last line.

3. Changing the topic slightly

"Some people think young people should be required to do unpaid community work. To what extent do you agree?"

If you write about people in general, or about paid jobs, you've drifted off topic. Every word in the topic sentence matters.

The underline method

Before planning, underline:

1. The topic (what it's about)
2. The limits (who, where, which type: young people, in cities, unpaid)
3. Every task (each question, or each instruction like discuss, give your opinion)

Then write a mini checklist on your paper:

• Task 1: ✓
• Task 2: ✓
• My opinion: ✓

Tick each one in your plan before you start writing.

A worked example

Question: "In many countries, people are living longer. What problems does this cause for individuals and society? Suggest some solutions."

Underline: problems, for individuals and society, solutions.

Weak plan:

• Body 1: health problems of old people
• Body 2: pension costs for governments

Missing: solutions. Also, "individuals" and "society" are mixed but not clearly covered.

Strong plan:

• Body 1: problems. For individuals: loneliness, health costs. For society: pension and healthcare budgets.
• Body 2: solutions. Raise the retirement age gradually; community programmes for older people.
• Conclusion: summary of problems and solutions.

Try it yourself

Underline the parts you must answer:

"More students today choose to study abroad. What are the reasons for this? Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?"

Honest note

It's okay to give one part more space than another. But every part needs a clear, developed answer. A single sentence for a whole part is usually not enough.

Your task today

Take three Task 2 questions. Underline the topic, limits and tasks. Write a three-line checklist for each.