# IELTS Writing Task 1 and Task 2: Format and Tips | topin IELTS guidesIELTS Writing ![](/mountains/writing.webp) IELTS Academic # IELTS Academic Writing: Task 1, Task 2 and how it is marked IELTS Academic Writing gives you 60 minutes for two tasks: a 150-word report on a chart, table, diagram or map, and a 250-word essay. Task 2 counts twice as much, so plan your time around it. [Take a free IELTS mock ](/ielts/login) Updated 29 September 2026 ยท 5 min read ## At a glance Time 60 minutes for both tasks Task 1 Describe visual data in at least 150 words, about 20 minutes Task 2 Write an essay in at least 250 words, about 40 minutes Weighting Task 2 is worth twice as much as Task 1 Criteria Task Achievement (Task 1) or Task Response (Task 2), Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy Score Band 0 to 9 in half bands ## IELTS Writing question types ### Task 1: line graph Describe how one or more values change over time. Tip: Group lines that move together and describe the overall trend first. Give the start and end figures, plus any peak or crossover. ### Task 1: bar chart Compare categories, sometimes across several years or groups. Tip: Do not describe every bar. Pick out the highest, lowest and most striking differences, and compare them directly. ### Task 1: pie chart Describe proportions of a whole, often comparing two or more pies. Tip: Use proportion language such as a quarter, just over half and the largest share, and compare how the shares change between pies. ### Task 1: table Summarise figures laid out in rows and columns. Tip: Tables tempt you to list numbers. Find two or three patterns across rows or columns and support each with a few figures. ### Task 1: process diagram Describe the stages of a natural cycle or a manufacturing process. Tip: Say how many stages there are and where the process begins and ends. Use the passive and sequence words such as next, after this and finally. ### Task 1: map Compare how a place looks at two points in time, or compare two proposed sites. Tip: Organise by area or by change, not by random detail. Use location language such as to the north of and past tense verbs such as was replaced by. ### Task 2: opinion essay Say how far you agree or disagree with a statement. Tip: State your position in the introduction and keep it the same in every paragraph and the conclusion. ### Task 2: discussion essay Discuss two views and give your own opinion. Tip: Give each view its own body paragraph, and make your opinion clear, since leaving it out limits your Task Response band. ### Task 2: problem and solution, causes and effects Explain the reasons for or effects of an issue and suggest solutions. Tip: Link each solution to a problem you have named, and develop one or two ideas fully rather than listing five. ### Task 2: advantages and disadvantages Weigh up the benefits and drawbacks of a development, sometimes deciding which outweighs the other. Tip: If the question asks whether advantages outweigh disadvantages, answer that directly in the introduction and conclusion. ### Task 2: two-part question Answer two separate questions about one topic. Tip: Answer both questions fully, usually one per body paragraph. Skipping or rushing one part caps your Task Response band. ## How IELTS Writing is scored Each task is marked against four equally weighted criteria: Task Achievement for Task 1 or Task Response for Task 2, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Task 2 counts twice as much as Task 1 in your Writing band, so a 6.0 on Task 1 and a 7.0 on Task 2 works out at about 6.5\. Answers under the word count are penalised, and copying the question does not count towards it. [IELTS Writing word counterCount your words against the 150 and 250 minimums, with a timer for each task.](/ielts/writing-word-counter) ## How to prepare for IELTS Writing 1. 1 ### Do Task 2 first, or at least protect its 40 minutes Task 2 is worth double, so running short on it costs more than running short on Task 1\. Many candidates start with Task 2 for this reason. Whichever order you choose, stop Task 1 at 20 minutes. 2. 2 ### Always write an overview in Task 1 Task 1 needs a clear overview of the main trends or features, usually in its own short paragraph after the introduction. Without one, your Task Achievement band is capped. Do not give opinions or reasons that are not in the visual. 3. 3 ### Plan for five minutes before a Task 2 essay Decide your position and two main ideas, each with an explanation and an example, before you write. A four-paragraph essay that answers every part of the question scores better than a longer one that drifts off topic. 4. 4 ### Aim for accuracy before range Examiners reward a mix of simple and complex sentences, but frequent errors pull down both grammar and vocabulary scores. Use structures you control, and spend the last three minutes checking articles, plurals and verb tenses. 5. 5 ### Get marked feedback on real attempts Writing only improves when someone shows you which sentences held your band down. topin band-scores each practice answer against all four criteria and highlights the sentences to rework, so you can fix the same errors before test day. ## Common IELTS Writing mistakes * Writing under 150 or 250 words, which lowers your Task Achievement or Task Response band. * Missing the overview in Task 1, or listing every number without comparing them. * Answering only part of a Task 2 question, such as giving causes but no solutions. * Memorised phrases and rare words used in the wrong context, which lower Lexical Resource rather than raise it. * Linking words at the start of every sentence, which reads as mechanical and hurts Coherence and Cohesion. ## IELTS Writing questions, answered How is IELTS Writing scored? Each task is band-scored against four equally weighted criteria: Task Achievement or Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Task 2 counts twice as much as Task 1 in your Writing band. How many words should I write for IELTS Writing? At least 150 words for Task 1 and at least 250 for Task 2\. Going a little over is fine, but very long answers leave less time to check your work. Is there a penalty for writing too few words in IELTS? Yes. Answers under the minimum word count are penalised under Task Achievement or Task Response. Can I write IELTS Writing in capital letters? Yes, on the paper test you can write in capitals or in normal case. Normal case is usually quicker to write and shows your capitalisation clearly. On the computer test you type as normal. Should I give my opinion in IELTS Writing Task 1? No. Academic Task 1 is a factual report of the visual. Save opinions for Task 2. How long should I spend on each IELTS Writing task? About 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2, including a few minutes to plan and check each one. ## See where you stand in IELTS Writing Your first full-length IELTS mock is free, with every section included. [Take the free mock ](/ielts/login)