0 00:00:08,480 --> 00:00:13,720 Let’s now focus on Task 2 of the IELTS Academic Writing Test. 1 00:00:14,600 --> 00:00:20,660 In this section of the Writing Test, you need to write an essay, a short piece of writing 2 00:00:20,669 --> 00:00:25,469 written in formal language with a clear structure and purpose. 3 00:00:26,240 --> 00:00:30,020 So let’s begin with a brief overview of this task. 4 00:00:30,900 --> 00:00:35,300 You need to write an academic essay in response to a question. 5 00:00:36,020 --> 00:00:42,120 So, in other words, your essay must relate to the question that you have been asked. 6 00:00:43,160 --> 00:00:50,300 You should show that you understand the question and you should answer it by taking a position 7 00:00:50,300 --> 00:00:55,220 and giving reasons and examples to support your points. 8 00:00:56,040 --> 00:01:04,520 You have to write at least 250 words and your essay should be organised logically. 9 00:01:05,300 --> 00:01:12,920 It should also show that you can use a range of language accurately and appropriately. 10 00:01:13,800 --> 00:01:22,479 Now, you have about 40 minutes to do all of this, so you need to approach this task quickly 11 00:01:22,479 --> 00:01:23,659 and efficiently. 12 00:01:24,340 --> 00:01:27,800 I’ll give you some advice on how you can do this. 13 00:01:28,760 --> 00:01:33,420 Let’s start by looking at an example of an essay question. 14 00:01:33,880 --> 00:01:35,700 Can you see the highlighted text? 15 00:01:36,380 --> 00:01:39,160 Those are the instructions for this task. 16 00:01:39,760 --> 00:01:45,300 They are the same for Task 2 in every IELTS Academic Writing Test. 17 00:01:45,480 --> 00:01:54,480 So, as you can see, you are told how long to spend on this task - about 40 minutes - and 18 00:01:54,490 --> 00:01:59,490 how many words to write - at least 250 words. 19 00:02:00,300 --> 00:02:01,840 This is good advice. 20 00:02:02,500 --> 00:02:08,000 As you know, you have two writing tasks to complete in one hour. 21 00:02:08,740 --> 00:02:15,560 Task 2 of the IELTS Writing Test is longer and is worth slightly more of your IELTS Writing 22 00:02:15,570 --> 00:02:21,730 score than Task 1, so that’s why you should spend a little more time on it. 23 00:02:22,560 --> 00:02:28,640 Notice that you’re also told that when you answer the question, you should support your 24 00:02:28,650 --> 00:02:32,910 position by giving reasons and examples. 25 00:02:33,620 --> 00:02:38,940 These can come from your own knowledge and experience of this topic. 26 00:02:39,600 --> 00:02:42,500 Now, let’s look at the essay question. 27 00:02:43,420 --> 00:02:50,060 Unlike the instructions, the essay question will change from one IELTS test to the next. 28 00:02:50,580 --> 00:02:59,500 So, the topic of this essay is childhood obesity, or children who are overweight. 29 00:03:00,440 --> 00:03:06,920 We’re told that this is a problem in some western societies, such as Australia and the 30 00:03:06,930 --> 00:03:08,110 United States. 31 00:03:08,920 --> 00:03:12,220 Now, let’s look at the task. 32 00:03:13,319 --> 00:03:16,159 What do we have to do in this essay? 33 00:03:17,160 --> 00:03:25,719 Well, we’re asked to explain the causes of this problem, so in other words, why do so 34 00:03:25,719 --> 00:03:29,519 many children in these developed countries become overweight? 35 00:03:30,440 --> 00:03:38,760 Now we’re also asked to suggest some possible ways of overcoming this problem, so as you 36 00:03:38,760 --> 00:03:43,120 can see this question has two parts. 37 00:03:43,800 --> 00:03:51,200 To do well in this task, you need to address all parts of the question, so be sure to read 38 00:03:51,200 --> 00:03:52,969 the question carefully.