IELTS band 5 plan, week 3: A simple, complete essay

This week's sessions

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1. Day 1 · ✍️ Writing · about 20 minWhat Task 2 asks you to doRead this week's lesson and the IELTS writing guide. Write down the three question types and what each one asks you to do.
2. Day 2 · ✍️ Writing · about 20 minQuestions, paragraphs and conclusionsDo the practice set below. Read the explanation for every answer, even the ones you got right.
3. Day 3 · 🔤 Vocabulary · about 20 minSimple linking wordsLook at the linking words guide and choose six you'll use (for example and, but, because, so, also, for example). Then do the practice set below.
4. Day 4 · ✍️ Writing · about 35 minPlan and write one essayPlan for 5 minutes and write for 30 on this question. Use four paragraphs. Then read the model essay. Don't worry that it's harder than yours; look for one idea you can use.
5. Day 5 · ✍️ Writing · about 25 minCheck your essayPaste yesterday's essay into the writing checker. Fix your -s endings, plurals and full stops, then check it again.

This week's lesson: a simple essay that answers the question

In Writing Task 2, you write an essay of at least 250 words in about 40 minutes. An essay is a piece of writing that gives your ideas about a question. Task 2 gives you more marks than Task 1, so it's important.

For band 5, you don't need difficult words or long sentences. You need to answer the question, write in paragraphs, and write sentences that a reader can understand.

Step 1: Understand the question (2 minutes)

Read the question twice. Find what you need to do:

• Do you agree or disagree? → Give your opinion and explain why.
• Discuss both views and give your opinion. → Write about both sides, then say what you think.
• What are the advantages and disadvantages? → Write about both: the good things and the bad things.

Many questions have two parts. You must answer both.

Step 2: Make a plan (5 minutes)

Use four paragraphs:

1. Introduction (2 sentences): say the topic in your own words, then give your answer.
2. Body paragraph 1: one idea + a reason + an example.
3. Body paragraph 2: another idea + a reason + an example.
4. Conclusion (1–2 sentences): say your answer again.

Step 3: Write (30 minutes)

Here is a body paragraph at about band 5 to 6:

I think cooking lessons at school are a good idea. One reason is that cooking helps young people to eat healthy food. For example, if students learn to make a simple soup, they don't need to buy fast food every day. So they can save money and stay healthy.

It's simple, but it has an idea, a reason, an example and a result. That is what the examiner wants to see.

Step 4: Check (3 minutes)

Look for your usual mistakes. Common ones at this level:

• -s with he/she/it: He works, not He work.
• Plurals: many people, two reasons.
• a/an: a reason, an example.
• Full stops: every sentence ends with a full stop.

Simple linking words

Linking words join your ideas. You only need a few, used correctly:

• and, also (adding)
• but, however (different ideas)
• because (reasons)
• so (results)
• for example (examples)
• In conclusion (the end)

Try it

Question: Some people think that everyone should learn to cook at school. Do you agree or disagree?

Say your answer in one sentence: I agree, because... Then think of two reasons. That's your plan.

Common mistakes at this level

• Not enough words. Under 250 words loses marks. Practise until you know what 250 words looks like.
• Copying the question in your introduction. Change some words.
• No paragraphs. Leave an empty line between paragraphs.
• Memorised sentences that don't fit the topic. Examiners notice. Your own simple sentences are better.

Practice for this week

Questions, paragraphs and conclusions

Simple linking words

Weekly check: Writing practice

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