In this guide
CVIM · Original IELTS study and teacher-development resources
Understand the idea
A paragraph should advance one main contribution to the argument. State the point, explain how or why it matters and use an example where it clarifies the reasoning. An example is evidence of the logic, not a substitute for explaining it. Keep each sentence connected to the claim rather than adding loosely related ideas.
An effective essay answers the actual question with a clear, developed line of thought. Vocabulary and grammatical control help the reader follow that thought; they cannot replace it. The supplied slides introduce a POWER process: plan, organise, write, edit and review. Use the process flexibly. A short argument map is often enough to reveal whether the chosen reasons genuinely support the position before the writer invests time in a full draft.
Task 2 requires at least 250 words and carries more weight than Task 1 in the Writing score. IELTS recommends about 40 minutes within the 60-minute Writing test. Short paragraph examples here isolate a skill and are not complete essays. Official Writing guidance ↗
A worked example
Claim: flexible opening hours improve library access. Explanation: workers cannot always visit during office hours. Example: a library open until nine lets a commuter borrow books after returning home. The example demonstrates the mechanism behind the claim.
Before reading the sample response below, explain the decision in your own words. Identify which information supports it and what would change if the task or context were different.
A practical sequence to follow
Use these stages for an individual study session or adapt them for a lesson. Keep a first attempt so you can see which decisions changed after feedback.
- 01
Identify the question’s focus and every required part.
- 02
Choose a position and two reasons you can explain.
- 03
Develop paragraphs that connect claims, explanations and examples.
- 04
Review the argument first, then edit recurring language problems.
Try a fresh example without the model or prompts. Explain your reasoning and compare it with your first attempt. A response completed with help is useful practice, but it does not yet demonstrate the same level of independent control.
A common mistake to avoid
Do not invent impressive statistics or research citations to make an unsupported claim appear authoritative.
If this happens in your work, return to a short example and identify the exact point where the decision went wrong. Change one part of your approach, then check it on new material.
Try it, then compare.
Your practice task
Develop the claim Short practice sessions can help busy language learners with an explanation and a concrete example.
Use this idea in a lesson
Make the reasoning visible.
Start with the worked example in this guide. Ask learners to identify the key choice before completing the task together. Provide a short planning prompt, then remove it for the next attempt.
Change the conditions.
Use a different topic or a less obvious example while keeping the same skill. Ask learners to explain why a tempting alternative fails, or to give feedback on an anonymous response before revising their own.
Keep the objective narrow enough to observe. For a teaching portfolio, record the original plan, one anonymous learner response and the change you would make next time. For self-study, keep your first response and a later independent attempt.
How should I use the sample response?
Complete your own attempt first, then compare the choices and reasoning. The sample is one possible response to this practice activity, not a script to memorise, a full test answer or a guaranteed band model.
Where can I find full official practice tasks?
Follow the official IELTS sample-resource links in the references below. The original examples on this page isolate a learning point; they are not a complete official test.
Sources and authorship
Written by Cambridge Veritas. Updated . The supplied slides inform this module’s themes; the explanations, invented examples, tasks and sample responses are original supplementary material.
Supplied course slides
- Triple Crown_ TESOL + VnA + IELTS.pdf ↗
Relevant pages: 15–26 of 39. IELTS foundations, speaking, writing and listening.
Official references and further practice
- Official IELTS Writing resources ↗
- Official IELTS sample questions ↗
- Official IELTS scoring guidance ↗
Independent learning material, not an official IELTS test or band result. Short listening scripts are read-aloud practice and contain no audio recording. Verify current booking and delivery procedures with IELTS.org. IELTS is a registered trademark of its owners.