A detailed guide to this IELTS Writing Task 2 essay type, with structure templates, useful vocabulary, and techniques to achieve Band 7+.
Originally published December 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
In this post, we will look at how you can make your writing task 2 essay clear for the examiner. Having a clear and easy to understand essay improves your score in coherence and cohesion. Creating a clear essay may sound like a simple thing to do, but many students often try too hard and end up with an essay that is confusing and difficult to follow. This obviously lowers your score if the examiner cannot understand what it is you are trying to say in your writing.
How To Write A Clear Essay
Here are 5 tips on how to write a clear essay >
1. Understand the Question
Read the question and understand it, look at the keywords and what it is asking you to do. What are the main issues and the sub-issues? Can you tell if it is an agree/disagree essay? What type of essay is it? These are all questions you should be able to answer from understanding the question. If you do not understand the question properly, you could present irrelevant information in your essay, which can lead to a confusing essay and lower marks.
When you are thinking of ideas for your essay, make sure they are specific. Don’t write generally about the topic or try to stuff as many ideas as possible into the main body paragraphs. The main body paragraphs should each contain one main idea. If you present more than this, the paragraphs will become confusing for the examiner. The paragraphs should follow a certain structure, to ensure you gain marks for coherence and cohesion. If you have many ideas, you will not have time to explain them all and support them with examples. By choosing one main specific idea, explaining it, giving details and supporting with an example, this will make the information clear and easy to understand.
If the essay question asks you to give your opinion, then make sure you give it clearly in the writing. There are many ways to introduce your opinion, including using ‘in my opinion, I believe that’ or ‘In my view’. If you don’t give a clear opinion or state your position on the subject, then you can lose marks.
By reviewing and practising the essay structures for the various question types, you will be able to demonstrate to the examiner that you can structure an IELTS writing task 2 essay successfully. The marking criteria – coherence and cohesion for a band score 7 states ‘logically organise information and ideas, there is clear progression throughout, uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately although there may be some under/overuse, presents a clear central topic within each paragraph’, and for a band score 8 ‘sequences information and ideas logically, manages all aspects of cohesion well, uses paragraphing sufficiently and appropriately’. If you can organise your essay into clear easy to follow paragraphs, with cohesive devices and logical order, then you will be on your way to gaining a high band score.
Take a look at the structures needed for each type of Writing Task 2 essay here.
5. Vocabulary
The vocabulary you use in your essay also has a huge impact on how easy it is to read through and understand. When students try too hard, putting in high-level words they don’t really know the meaning of and trying to fit in as many complex structures as possible, this makes an essay very difficult for the examiner to read and follow. When you read your essay over after you have finished, does it make sense to you? Can you clearly understand each part? It is very important that your essay clearly communicates your message in relation to the question. If you have many grammatical errors this can also make the essay hard to understand.
Here is an example of an essay that is not very clear due to grammatical errors, structure and vocabulary (this essay is a band score 5).
Can you list the errors?
How could you improve this essay?
Writing task 2 — Cause/Effect essay People in all modem societies use drugs, but today’s youth are experimenting with both legal and illegal drugs, and at an early age. Some sociologists claim that parents and other members of society often set a bad example. Discuss the cause and effects of widespread drug abuse by young people. Make any recommendations you feel are necessary to help fight youth drug abuse.
Drug usage is very common in present-day population, however the teens starting to use legal and illegal products as well, at very young age. Usually a bad model, this is what some experts are saying. This essay will discuss some reasons why this has occurred and analyze the consequences of this worrying trend. One of the main causes of this problem is the stressful life of the people, some sever trauma or injury, but also an other reason can be a parent who had an addiction. Furthermore, in modern societies the street drugs and alcohol are very available even for the adolescents. A newspaper article shows that last year a Secret Service in New York made an investigation in 50 different schools and universities regarding to the drug consumption. The results were shocking: in 42 institutes they found a drug dealer.
The effects of this have been and will be very serious. Firstly the drug abuse can occur severe health problems like heart diseases, kidney or liver damage, abdominal pain, can weaken the immune system etc. Secondly can also damage the brain, causing for example behavior problems. While using drugs people are unable to do different activities well, or to think clear. This can lead to conflicts in families or between friends, and unfortunately sometimes can go into crime. In short, it is obvious that nowadays the usage of different psychotropic agents is widespread already in early age, and the effects of this are very tragically. The society should fight more and harder against drug abuse, the prevention programs could be much convincing, and the social media could help too, for example with more antidrug publicity.
If you would like to view more high band score essay examples please click the button below >
Good Example
Here is the re-written essay, can you see the difference? Is it easier to understand? This essay follows the following elements for a successful high scoring essay (this essay is a band score 8) >
Answers the question
Uses paraphrasing and synonyms
Follows the cause/effect essay structure
Uses logical paragraphing
Includes relevant ideas
Includes specific examples
Uses cohesive devices
Uses complex sentences
Has a wide variety of vocabulary
No grammatical errors
People in all modem societies use drugs, but today’s youth are experimenting with both legal and illegal drugs, and at an early age. Some sociologists claim that parents and other members of society often set a bad example. Discuss the cause and effects of widespread drug abuse by young people. Make any recommendations you feel are necessary to help fight youth drug abuse.
Drug usage is very common in the present-day population as many adolescents are using these legal and illegal products, beginning in their childhood years. Some social academics think that adults are terrible role models because they are heavily influencing the behaviour of the young people around them. This essay will discuss the principal reason why this has occurred and analyze the main consequence of this worrying trend.
On the one hand, the primary cause of this issue is the stressful lives many of these young people are living in today’s society. Some may have terrible home lives, with absent parents, no stable accommodation or other traumatic events experienced on a daily basis. For many youngsters, they experiment with illegal drugs and alcohol, in order to escape from their present situations. These kinds of substances are readily available to children and teens, as they are eager to try drugs, or are pressured into it by their peers or family members. For example, an article from the New York Times in 2017 reported that in 50 state schools interviewed, over 90% of the students aged between 14-16 had experimented with a class A drug.
On the other hand, common substance abuse in adolescents can lead to one main consequence, which is health problems. Regularly using drugs, from prescription medication to hard drugs can have both short term and long terms health effects, including; heart disease, kidney or liver damage, abdominal pain and lead to a weaker immune system. Certain drugs can also cause brain damage, sometimes causing severe problems with the use of motor skills or nerves. For instance, a documentary filmed by the BBC in 2017, showed the effects of serious drug dependencies amongst teenagers aged between 16-19. One person interviewed had developed serious damage to the brain, as well as facial nerves, through the overuse of MDMA. This had left the teen with permanent facial twitching and psychosis. In addition, teens should be taught about the serious and harmful effects of taking drug in school. The students should learn about the damaging and lasting effects of taking recreational drugs, even though they may see them as a way to unwind or escapism. The health issues relating to drugs and alcohol should be explained with case studies given as a deterrent to any young people who are thinking about experimenting. For example, as part of the curriculum in Sixth Form Colleges in the UK, students are made to watch a series of documentaries about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, in order to learn about the risks. They listen to teenagers talk about their own bad experiences and the consequences of this. In conclusion, many teens are experimenting with common drugs from an early age, leading to heavy consequences like health issues, as they grow older. To combat this issue, more initiatives should be set forth through the school system, to create awareness of the risks involved.
We hope you found this post helpful in helping you to study for the IELTS Test. Let us know in the comments or on the Facebook page if you have any questions. The best way to keep up to date with posts like this is to like us on Facebook, and then follow us onInstagramand Pinterest. We offer essay correction services, mock exams, and online courses. If you need help preparing for the IELTS Test, join the IELTS Achieve Academy and see how we can help you achieve your desired band score faster.
Step-by-step guide to answering this type of IELTS Writing Task 1 question. Covers structure, key language, and band-scoring criteria.
Originally published December 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
In this post, we will look at the word count needed in the writing tasks. You should know that 250 words are the minimum for a writing task 2 essay and 150 words are minimal for writing task 1. If you write less than the word counts specified in the question, you will lose marks in task achievement, because you will not have completed one of the requirements for the task.
The examiner will count your words to check that you have the minimum word count. If you have not reached 250 and have, for example, 240 words they will mark your essay lower because of this. It is possible to write more than 250 words during the time allocated for the task 2 essay, however, you should be careful you do not run out of time and find that you cannot write a conclusion, or check over your work.
Test Instructions
On the writing test paper, the instructions will look something like this below (Taken from the British Council IELTS) >
The highlighted sections show you that the instructions state clearly that at least 150 words are required for Task 1 and at least 250 words are required for Task 2.
The question examples below are taken from a free resource available on The British Council’s IELTS page. Take a look and download the free practice papers.
As you can see below, the highlighted section shows you that you have to write at least 150 words in Task 1.
TIP: Plan your work before you start to write, to make sure that all of the information you write in your essay is relevant. Do not write and write about anything and everything and go off-topic. It is more than possible to write a 250-word essay that is concise and to the point.
TIP: Check your word count during your IELTS essay preparation. Count the words (or if you are typing using the word count option) and see how many you are producing in 40 minutes for task 2 and 20 minutes for task 1.
TIP: Words that are hyphenated like in-depth or part-time will be counted as one word. prepositions like in, of, on and articles like the, a, at will all be counted. Punctuation, like commas, semi-colons and full stops (periods) will not be counted.
TIP: Practice writing your essay answers on the official writing answer sheet. This will allow you to practice counting your words to see how many you get in the time period allowed. You should aim to exceed the word count slightly so that you are sure you have met the minimum requirements.
Comprehensive guide covering essential IELTS preparation strategies and techniques to help you achieve your target band score.
Originally published December 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
In this post, we will look at how to think of ideas for writing task 2 questions. Many of my students struggle to think of ideas when faced with a question, especially when it is on a topic they feel they know little about.
They worry that their examples will not be relevant or they often find it difficult to think of any examples at all. I have marked many essays, where the student has said that they couldn’t think of an example. You must practice thinking of ideas for various questions, finding a method that suits you. Everyone has different ways of learning and retaining information, so find out your preferred method and apply it.
Here are some ways that you can think of ideas for your writing task 2 essay :
Read More Materials
This is really obvious, to improve both vocabulary and knowledge reading is the best thing that you can do. If you are on Facebook, like the pages of well-known news sites, like BBC News, The Guardian, The Telegraph, The New York Times, The Economist, etc. This is a super-easy way to stay informed and read articles, as you scroll through your newsfeed.
Reading the news will give you many ideas for your essays when giving examples to my students I often say ‘I read something about that the other day…’. Read around topics that come up again and again, like health, education, technology, the environment and crime. Also read articles that interest you, on art, movies and anything else. When you find words you do not know the meaning of, look them up and make a note. Most phones/tablets have a built-in dictionary, so it is very easy to look up the meaning of a word or cut and paste sections of an article.
Here are some news websites that you should take a look at regularly:
Before you start writing the essay, make a plan with your ideas in note form. When I plan any essays or blog posts I start by making a bullet list of my ideas. This helps me to visualise the information and organise it. It might not work for everyone, but it is a good way to start planning, getting those thoughts out onto the paper.
It might look something like this :
You could also create a mind map of your ideas, write a keyword in the middle of the page, then think about and link as many relevant ideas as possible.
Be Positive
Many students when they are given a question, straight away say ‘I don’t know anything about this topic…’ almost shutting down before they have even started. If you have a question, with a topic that you feel you know little about, don’t stress out and don’t feel frustrated. Push yourself to generate ideas and keep it light and enjoyable. Negativity is death to creativity, meaning that if you have a negative mindset from the beginning, this will crush your ability to get those creative essay writing juices flowing!
When you are thinking of ideas and examples, you are allowed to be creative, making up statistics/data from an article or survey. As long as the example is relevant and believable.
Interact
Imagine you are talking about this question with someone. Sounds simple, think about reaching out and chatting with other people who engage you intellectually and creatively. If you were discussing this question with a friend or work colleague, what would you say/they say? Thinking about conversations with others can help you to generate ideas.
Reflection
Think about what you know about the question/topic already……
What have I read about or seen that stands out?
What do I know about this topic?
What did I read/see that could be used as an example?
What is the main issue?
Why is this happening?
Use your responses to these questions as writing prompts. For example, if you know that obesity is becoming a huge strain on the NHS because of the increase in costs, think about how you could turn that information into an example.
A detailed guide to this IELTS Writing Task 2 essay type, with structure templates, useful vocabulary, and techniques to achieve Band 7+.
Originally published December 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
In this post, I want to share with you hints, tips, do’s and don’ts that will lead you to a band score of 7 or above on the Academic test. It is not an easy thing to do, as many of you probably know already!
It takes determination and motivation to study hard around work, family and any other commitments you may have.
Take a look at how you can try to get the best results possible in the IELTS exam:
Make a study plan
There are many ways in which you can prepare for your IELTS test, one way to start is to make a study plan. Focus on any weaknesses you may have and practice, getting a teacher to correct any essays or practice the speaking test with you. Many of the students I have taught who have scored a 7 or above have admitted to having studied for at least one hour per day.
Below is an example of a study plan, with each area of the exam covered. If you know that your main weakness is writing, spend more time on that – making sure you have an IELTS teacher correcting your work and giving you feedback. If you need to focus on vocabulary, practice and read as much as you can, especially for the Academic students who need to learn how to describe statistical trends.
Make your own study plan! Think about the following questions;
When is your exam?
How much time do you have to study each day or each week?
What areas do you need to focus on the most?
IELTS Writing Tips
Most students struggle with the writing test and require a lot of practice before test day. Read the writing task 1 and 2 posts on this website and study the different structures needed for different types of questions. Remember the following;
TIP 1: Read the question properly
Make sure you read it a few times and highlight any keywords. What is the question asking you to do? Do you have to give your opinion or not?
TIP 2: Make a plan before you start writing your essay.
Learn the structures needed and plan accordingly in your exam. Take a few minutes to do this, so you can easily write your essay, including all of the things you need.
TIP 3: Remember your essay structure
In writing task 2 remember how to structure the essay so that it becomes planted into your brain! Include an introduction, main body paragraph 1, main body paragraph 2 and a conclusion (this may change depending on the type of question, but this structure is the basic skeleton).
TIP 4: Don’t overthink it
if you have ideas that are quite simple, that is fine. They don’t have to be really deep and complex to get a high band score. For example – if asked to give reasons why so many people are obese these days – one reason is overeating easily available calorie-rich junk food. Think about what you know about the subject/topic and go from there. Have you read anything about it? or seen anything on the news or in a documentary? I remember watching a documentary about the top 20 most obese countries once. So I could use that as one of my examples. I also remember reading about how the costs are inflating the healthcare system and more of taxpayers money is being spent on that, rather on public services. So that could be another example to use in my essay. The point is that all examples should be relevant to the question, even if they are simple.
TIP 5: Vocabulary
Make sure you are using the right vocabulary in your essay. You might try to boast and show the examiner how many high-level words you know, which is fine if you know for sure that they fit into the sentence and have the right meaning.
TIP 6: Give your opinion when asked
in the essay or in the speaking test, when asked for your opinion, give it clearly. Use phrases like, in my opinion, in my view, I think that, I believe that…. and then explain.
TIP 7: Use cohesive devices
this can get you high marks when used in the writing and speaking test. Don’t overdo it though! Overuse of these words can be a sure way to lose you marks. Words like – however, therefore, furthermore, in other words, for example, for instance, etc.
Planning for the big day!
When preparing for the day of the test, you should try to get there well on time. You must bring the same passport or ID card that you used on your application form. You also need to bring a pen, pencil and an eraser. You will not be allowed to take any electronic devices or a dictionary into the test area.
On the night before the test, read some English texts, similar to those you may read in the exam, for example, some opinion pieces from a newspaper. The Academic students could analyse graphs and charts as well or read over past assignments that have been corrected.
Things to do: You should also do the following:
Give yourself time to check over your work before the exam ends.
Highlight any keywords or numbers on the question paper.
Make notes on the question paper before you begin to write.
Always write in full sentences (no bullet points or unfinished sentences).
Paraphrase! Make sure you paraphrase the question.
Link your ideas together in writing task 2.
Support with relevant examples.
Read the question properly.
Things not to do: And please don’t:
Use informal language
Repeat the sentences written on the exam paper
Spend more than 20 minutes on task 1
Overuse those linking words/cohesive devices – moreover, however, nowadays etc.
A detailed guide to this IELTS Writing Task 2 essay type, with structure templates, useful vocabulary, and techniques to achieve Band 7+.
Originally published December 2017. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
The Academic IELTS Writing Test has two separate writing tasks in 60 minutes. For each part, you will receive a question paper and an answer sheet. You can make notes on the question paper, only the text on the answer sheet will be marked by the examiner. You can write your answers in pen or pencil and correct when necessary. You cannot use a dictionary or any electronic devices.
IELTS Academic and General Training students do different tests for part 1 but complete the same test for part 2. Both Academic and General Training students write a discursive essay in writing task 2 – but the difficulty of the question will differ. All students should learn how to write this type of essay. In writing task 2 you will be asked to write an essay (250 words minimum) on a specific topic. You should leave 40 minutes for this during the test, which includes time to check your work. Each essay has a slightly different structure, you can learn about those structures in the other posts in the writing task 2 section.
Requirements from universities and immigration agencies vary. Most students will need at least a band score 6 for undergraduate study. For postgraduate study or immigration, a band score 7 is generally required.
One of the first things you should do is read the marking criteria to see what the examiners expect. This is really important, as you need to know what they are looking for in the band 7+ boxes. You should be able to give the examiners exactly what they want, in order to get a 7+ band score.
In the IELTS writing task 2 essay, you will be assessed on the four main areas:
Task Achievement
Coherence and Cohesion
Lexical Resource
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Marking Criteria for IELTS Writing task 2 Band Score 7
Task Achievement
In this section, you must be able to ‘addresses all parts of the task, presents a clear position throughout the response, presents extends and supports main ideas but there may be a tendency to overgeneralise and/or supporting ideas may lack focus’ this means that you are able to answer all parts of the question and that your information is relevant, but some of it may be too general or lack focus.
Coherence and Cohesion
In this section, you must produce an answer that can be easily understood by the reader (the examiner!). The criteria states that you should be able to ‘logically organise information and ideas; there is clear progression throughout’ this means that you have organised your information in easy to read paragraphs and the paragraphs have a good structure.
The criterion also states that you should ‘use a range of cohesive devices appropriately although there may be some under/overuse’. This refers to the use of linking words and cohesive devices – such as; firstly, secondly, in addition, one the one hand, on the other hand, furthermore, therefore, etc. but there may be too many or too few. It also says that you should ‘presents a clear central topic within each paragraph’ this means that you write about one idea in each main body paragraph.
Lexical Resource
In this section the examiner will be looking at your vocabulary, making sure the words you have used are correct for this type of task. In the criteria, it states ‘uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision’. It is therefore important for you to study terms and keywords that can help you to gain a 7+ score in this task. There may also be ‘occasional errors in word choice, spelling and/or word formation’ There may be some repetition of words and a few errors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
In the marking criteria, it states ‘uses a variety of complex structures, produces frequent error-free sentences, has good control of grammar and punctuation but may make a few errors’. You have to write clear error-free sentences in this essay, as many grammatical or spelling errors will make the writing unclear and hard to follow. If the text has more than 25% errors, this will bring the score down. You also need to show that you have used the appropriate sentence structures, necessary for a formal academic essay.
Marking Criteria for IELTS Writing task 2 Band Score 8
Task Achievement
In this section, you must be able to ‘addresses all parts of the task, presents a clear position throughout the response, presents extends and supports main ideas’ this means that you are able to answer all parts of the question and that your response is relevant and well developed. This should be very clear in your answer. You should also support your views/arguments with specific examples.
Coherence and Cohesion
In this section, you must produce an answer that can be easily understood by the reader (the examiner!). The criteria state that you should be able to ‘sequences information and ideas logically, manages all aspects of cohesion well, uses paragraphing sufficiently and appropriately’ this means that you have organised your information in easy to read paragraphs and the paragraphs have a good structure, with only one main idea in each of the main body paragraphs.
The criterion also states that you should ‘manages all aspects of cohesion well’. This refers to the use of linking words and cohesive devices – such as; firstly, secondly, in addition, one the one hand, on the other hand, furthermore, therefore, etc.
Lexical Resource
In this section the examiner will be looking at your vocabulary, making sure the words you have used are correct for this type of task. In the criteria, it states ‘uses a wide range of vocabulary fluently and flexibly to convey precise meanings’. It is therefore important for you to study terms and keywords that can help you to gain a 7+ score in this task.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
In the marking criteria, it states ‘uses a wide range of structures, the majority of sentences are error-free, makes only very occasional errors or inappropriaces’. There will be clear error-free sentences in this essay and most of the writing will have the appropriate sentence structures, necessary for a formal academic essay.
There are practice tests you can download from the British Council.
Fluency and Coherence You should be able to speak without hesitation, have natural pauses, be able to order your ideas and connect them when telling a story.
Lexical Resource Be able to demonstrate the ability to use advanced vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms, intensifiers, collocations and idioms.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy Use complex senetences, connecting words, a variety of tenses, passive voice, conditionals.
Pronunciation Show that you can make individuals sounds, connecting sounds, word stress, sentence stress and intonation.
Do you know your own strengths and weaknesses? Do you practice speaking English regularly?
Hopefully, the answer to both of those questions is yes. You need to be able to identify your strengths and weaknesses so that you know where you need to improve, to reach the band score you want. Having lessons with a native speaking teacher is worth it so that they can identify your weaknesses and help you to work on them.
Looking at the table below, where would you say you are right now?
How can you start to improve?
Making a study plan and following it is a really great idea to get started. Read the sections below and get some ideas on how you can improve in all four areas of the IELTS Speaking Test marking criteria.
Fluency And Coherence
How can you improve Fluency and Coherence?
Practice with as many resources as you can for part 1, part 2 and part 3 questions. For parts 2 and 3 you should read the practice questions and see how well you understand them. Think of examples you can use in your answers and the structure of your answers. The part two answer should sound natural and be well structured, which can be challenging. In part 3 the answers should be extended and ideas should be linked.
Lexical Resource
How can you improve Lexical Resource?
For example, you could listen to podcasts and TED Talks, find a speaking partner to practice with and read some English news (online from the BBC News website or the Guardian) every night. You could also make vocabulary flashcards, listen to English music, listen to TED Talks and record yourself giving a summary of what you have heard. It is such a good idea to partner up with other IELTS students and practice speaking via Skype/Facetime etc. Take a look in the IELTS ACHIEVE Facebook group and meet someone you can start practising with.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
How can you improve the Grammatical Range and Accuracy?
It is a good idea to record yourself speaking, answer some speaking mock questions, record yourself, then listen back to the recording and identify any errors you have made. You can check if your answer included the following:
Did you use the correct tense, did the verbs agree with the subjects?
Did you use complex sentences?
Did you use the passive voice and conditionals?
Did you use connecting words? Such as; before, after, because and although.
Alternatively, book lessons with a native speaking teacher and they will help you to improve.
Pronunciation
How can you improve Pronunciation?
One way to improve your pronunciation is to listen to native speakers, on the radio, tv or through TED Talks. Listen carefully to how the speakers pronounce words, how do they emphasise their points? Where do they place the word stress? Another way is to look up the pronunciation of words, practice saying them out loud and record yourself. You can then listen to the recording and see if you have made any errors. If you find it difficult to identify your own errors, then booking lessons with a native speaking English teacher who will correct you is the best way to improve.
Practice More
It’s fine to practice with past paper questions and other questions you may find online, but it is much better and beneficial for you to practice talking to people in real life. Say for example you have a friend who lives in the UK or the USA, make time to Skype with them and gossip! Or ask them to ask you some questions and give you feedback on how well you answered. Did they hear any errors? Could they understand you clearly? If you are already living in the UK (or another English speaking country) talk to friends, work colleagues etc about everyday subjects. Talk about the news ‘Did you see……. that story in the news? What did you think about it?…..’ Everyone has an opinion on popular news stories.
Just get talking about anything that interests you, so that you can practice.
Extend Your Answers
When you practice speaking to your partner, friends or work colleagues, practice extending your answers.
For example, if someone asks you:
What did you do at the weekend?
Answer 1 Nothing much, you?
Answer 2 I went to town on Saturday to have a look around, then had a coffee from my favourite coffee shop run by the hipsters next to Marks and Spencers. After that, I took my dog to the park where he played for a couple of hours with his friends. Finally, when it started to get dark, we went home and watched catch-up TV together on the sofa. On Sunday, I just relaxed, cleaned the house, then met some friends at the beach for a game of volleyball.
Answer 1 is not a good answer because it is short and doesn’t give away any information. Answer 2 is better because it answers the question, gives detail (extends) and includes components needed to score well on the marking criteria.
You need to show the examiner that you can answer the question, give more information (expand) and give an example. Even if that example is made up, that is ok as the examiner will not know (make it sound realistic though!).
What are you going to do to improve your speaking? Let us know in the comments below:
