IELTS Task 2: two-part questions
Two separate questions, equally weighted, and answering one of them well is worth less than answering both adequately.
How to recognise it
- “Why is this the case? Is it a positive or negative development?”
- “What are the reasons? Do you think it is a good thing?”
- “Two direct questions in sequence, with no 'discuss' or 'agree' framing.”
What it is actually asking
Exactly what it says, twice. The marking treats both parts as equal, so the failure mode is an essay that spends three paragraphs on the first question and one line on the second — which caps Task Response even if the first three paragraphs are excellent.
The structure
1.Introduction
Rephrase, then signal both answers in brief. Answering both in the introduction guarantees neither is missed.
2.Body 1 — first question
A direct answer, one developed reason, one example.
3.Body 2 — second question
A direct answer to the second question, given the same weight. If the second asks whether something is positive or negative, take a side rather than describing both.
4.Conclusion
One sentence per question.
How this type is under-answered
Treating the second question as a conclusion to the first.
Give it its own body paragraph of comparable length. The commonest version of this failure is an essay on causes that mentions 'and this is largely negative' in the final line and considers the second question answered.
Common questions
How do you structure a two-part question essay in IELTS?
One body paragraph per question, of comparable length, with both answers signalled in the introduction. The two parts are equally weighted, so an essay that answers one thoroughly and the other in a clause is capped under Task Response.
Can you answer both parts in the same paragraph?
You can, but it makes it much harder for a marker to see that both were answered, and it usually results in the second getting less development. Separate paragraphs are the safer structure under time pressure.
Is a two-part question the same as discuss both views?
No. Discuss both views gives you two positions on one issue. A two-part question asks two different things — often a cause and an evaluation — and each needs its own answer.
The other four types
Write one and get a band
Our IELTS mock marks Task 2 against all four criteria and shows which sentences moved each one. Full mocks, with Writing marked, come with a pass; the free quick mock covers Listening and Reading.
This guide is written from the IELTS format published by British Council, IDP and Cambridge, in our own words. For the official wording, see the official IELTS sample questions. MockLive AI is an independent practice tool and is not affiliated with the British Council, IDP or Cambridge University Press & Assessment.