Most Task 2 prompts fall into one of four shapes. The Band 7+ writer reads the prompt and immediately knows which essay structure to pull off the shelf — they don’t plan from scratch. This guide maps each prompt type to its optimal structure plus the tell-tale phrasing that flags it.
Type 1 — Agree / Disagree (“to what extent…”)
Tell-tale phrasing: “Do you agree or disagree?” / “To what extent do you agree?”
Type 2 — Discuss both views and give your opinion
Tell-tale phrasing: “Some people believe X, while others believe Y. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.”
Type 3 — Problem / Solution (or Cause / Solution)
Tell-tale phrasing: “What are the causes of X, and what can be done?” / “Why is this happening, and how can it be solved?”
Band 6 — listing
The causes are pollution, traffic, and population. Solutions include better policy, education and technology.
Band 7 — developed
The dominant cause is over-reliance on private vehicles, particularly in cities where public-transport coverage is patchy. The most direct solution is congestion pricing, which both raises funds for transit and creates a daily cost signal.
Type 4 — Two-part question
Tell-tale phrasing: “What are the reasons for this trend? Is it a positive or negative development?” — two distinct questions in one prompt.
Identify the question type
- 1
Prompt:“Many countries are experiencing rising rates of obesity. What are the reasons behind this, and what measures can governments take to address it?”
Pick one. You'll see why straight away.
- 2
Prompt:“Some argue that university education should be free for all students. Others believe students should pay for their own education. Discuss both views and give your opinion.”
Pick one. You'll see why straight away.