Lesson 8 · Lesson guide
Writing Task 2: Analysing the Question
Hello, my dear student!
Hello! Many students write a good essay about the wrong question. They see the word “education” and write everything they know about education. The examiner then gives a low score for Task Response, the first of the four marks.
Every Task 2 question has three parts: a topic (what it is about), a focus (the exact part of the topic) and a task (what you must do: agree, discuss, explain…). If you find all three before you write, your essay stays on target.
Today you will learn to read a question like an examiner. It takes two minutes in the exam and it can raise your score by a whole band.
See you in the exercises,Your teacher
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Topic, focus, task
Topic
The general subject
Usually one or two words: education, technology, the environment.
- Some people think that university education should be free for everyone.
Focus
The exact part of the topic
In the example: not education in general, but whether university should be free. Writing about schools or teachers would be off topic.
- university + free + for everyone
Task
What you must do
The instruction at the end: To what extent do you agree or disagree? Discuss both views and give your opinion.
- To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Remember!
Topic = the general subject. Focus = the exact part of it. Task = what you must do.
Five types of question
The task tells you the type, and the type tells you how to plan.
Opinion
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give your opinion clearly in the introduction and keep it to the end.
- I completely agree that…
Discussion
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
One paragraph for each view, and your opinion too.
- While some argue that…, others believe…
Advantages
Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Compare both sides and say which is stronger.
- In my view, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
Problem
What are the causes / problems? What solutions…?
Two questions: answer both, one paragraph each.
- One main cause is… One solution would be…
Two-part
Two direct questions
Answer each question in its own paragraph.
- Why is this happening? Is it a positive or negative development?
Common mistakes
Not: The question asks about university fees; the essay is about bad teachers in schools.Say: Stay on the focus: university + free.
Off topic → a low Task Response score.
Not: The question asks “Discuss both views AND give your opinion”; the essay has no opinion.Say: Give your opinion too, in the introduction and the conclusion.
Part of the task is missing.
Not: The essay copies the question word for word in the introduction.Say: Paraphrase the question in your own words.
Copied words are not counted, and they show weak vocabulary.
Check yourself
“Some people believe children should start school at seven. To what extent do you agree?” What is the focus?
How many things must you do in “Discuss both views and give your own opinion”?
Now it’s your turn!
8 short parts, each a little harder than the one before. Take your time: mistakes are how we learn.
— Your teacher