⚡ TL;DR
A detailed guide to this IELTS Writing Task 2 essay type, with structure templates, useful vocabulary, and techniques to achieve Band 7+.
Originally published June 2020. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Cause And Effect Essay Examples
View High Band Score Examples Of IELTS Cause And Effect Essays.
IELTS Cause/Effect Essay Sample 2 – Health
IELTS Writing Task 2 cause/effect essay example that is a band score 8.
The question is: Doctors recommend that older people should exercise regularly. However many of them do not exercise enough. What are the causes? What can be done to encourage them to exercise?
Take a look at the sample answer
IELTS Cause/Effect Essay Sample 1 – Crime
IELTS Writing Task 2 cause/effect essay example that is a band score 8.
The question is: Many criminals commit further crimes as soon as they are released from prison. What do you think are the causes of this? What effects will this have on society?
Take a look at the sample answer
Understanding Cause and Effect Essays in IELTS
Cause and effect essays are one of the most common IELTS Writing Task 2 question types. They ask you to discuss the reasons behind a problem or trend (causes) and the results or consequences (effects). Some questions ask for both causes and effects, while others ask for causes and solutions.
Common Question Formats
- “What are the causes of this problem? What solutions can you suggest?” (Causes + Solutions)
- “What are the reasons for this trend? Is this a positive or negative development?” (Causes + Evaluation)
- “Why is this happening? What are the effects on society?” (Causes + Effects)
How to Structure a Cause and Effect Essay
A clear four-paragraph structure works best:
- Introduction: Paraphrase the question and state what you will discuss (causes, effects, or solutions).
- Body Paragraph 1 — Causes: Present 2-3 main causes with explanations and examples.
- Body Paragraph 2 — Effects or Solutions: Present 2-3 effects or solutions with supporting evidence.
- Conclusion: Summarise the main points and, if appropriate, offer a final recommendation.
Key Vocabulary for Cause and Effect
| Expressing Causes | Expressing Effects |
|---|---|
| This is primarily due to… | As a result of this… |
| One of the main reasons is… | Consequently… |
| This can be attributed to… | This leads to… |
| …stems from… | The impact of this is… |
| A contributing factor is… | This has resulted in… |
Tips for Band 7+ Cause and Effect Essays
- Be specific with examples: Rather than vague claims, provide concrete illustrations for each cause or effect.
- Show logical connections: Use linking phrases to make the relationship between causes and effects explicit.
- Avoid listing: Develop each point fully with explanation and evidence rather than listing many undeveloped ideas.
- Address both parts equally: If the question asks for causes AND effects, give balanced attention to each.
Originally published on IELTS Achieve. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
Dear Sir,
Thanks for reenabling the links for essay section. I was just checking the same and found that the links to agree/disagree and discussion essay is no longer live. Could you please check the same?
The list page have been disabled individual essay exist. Will make more changes so you can navigate better. We are adding more essay and practice materials for our students so we had to make this change.