How many paragraphs should a Task 2 essay have?

Four is the standard shape: introduction, two body paragraphs, conclusion. A well-developed two-body-paragraph essay consistently outscores a rushed five-paragraph one — depth beats a paragraph count.

Do I have to fully agree or disagree in an opinion essay?

No — a partial position ("I largely agree, but...") is fine, as long as it's stated clearly in the introduction and held consistently through the conclusion. What costs marks is a position that shifts or never actually commits.

What happens if the question only asks for causes and solutions, but I also discuss advantages?

That content is off-topic and won't earn credit for Task Response — it can actively cost you marks for wandering from the task. Match your body paragraphs exactly to what the question asked for, nothing more.

How do I tell a discussion essay apart from an opinion essay?

A discussion essay says "discuss both views" — you must present both sides fairly before giving your own view. An opinion essay just asks what you think — no obligation to present an opposing view, beyond an optional brief concession.

The Skeleton Behind Every Task 2 Essay

Five question-type families cover every Task 2 prompt you'll meet. Matching the right skeleton to the question in front of you is worth more than any single sentence you could write — get the structure right first, then fill it with the topic material.

Opinion Essays — Agree/Disagree and Positive-or-Negative Development

Roughly two in five Task 2 questions ask for your opinion. The examiner rewards one clear position sustained from the introduction to the conclusion — hedging between sides costs Task Response.

Agree or disagree (to what extent): 1. Introduction: paraphrase the question and state your position clearly. 2. Body 1: your strongest reason, fully developed. 3. Body 2: your second reason, fully developed. 4. Optional concession: briefly acknowledge the opposing view and rebut it, only if doing so strengthens your argument. 5. Conclusion: restate your position and its main grounds.

Positive or negative development: 1. Introduction: paraphrase the development and state clearly whether you judge it positive or negative — a qualified judgement is fine. 2. Body 1: your strongest ground for that judgement, fully developed. 3. Body 2: your second ground, or a limited acknowledgement of the other side folded into your judgement. 4. Conclusion: restate your overall judgement of the development.

Discussion Essays — Discuss Both Views and Give Your Opinion

Both views must be presented fairly, but "give your own opinion" is part of the question — state your position explicitly rather than letting it hide in the conclusion.

1. Introduction: paraphrase the question and signal that both views will be discussed. 2. Body 1: view A, presented fairly with support. 3. Body 2: view B, presented fairly with support. 4. Own view: state and justify your own position explicitly. 5. Conclusion: summarise both views and confirm your position.

Advantages & Disadvantages — Two Different Asks Under One Surface

"Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?" demands an explicit verdict. "Discuss the advantages and disadvantages" only demands both sides. Match the skeleton to what the question actually asks.

Outweigh — a verdict is required: 1. Introduction: paraphrase the topic and state which side outweighs. 2. Body 1: the main advantages, developed. 3. Body 2: the main disadvantages, developed. 4. Verdict: weigh the two sides explicitly and justify which outweighs. 5. Conclusion: restate the verdict concisely.

Plain — both sides, verdict optional: 1. Introduction: paraphrase the topic and preview both sides. 2. Body 1: the main advantages, developed. 3. Body 2: the main disadvantages, developed. 4. Conclusion: summarise both sides — an explicit verdict is optional here, since the question asked for both sides, not a weighing.

Causes, Problems & Solutions — Assembled From Exactly What's Asked

This family has no fixed skeleton. The body is assembled from exactly the components the question asks for — writing solutions to a causes-and-problems question is off-topic and costs Task Response. Two common combinations, below; the same rule builds the rest.

Causes + solutions: 1. Introduction: paraphrase the issue and preview only what's asked — causes and solutions. 2. Body 1: the key causes or reasons, developed with how they arise. 3. Body 2: workable solutions matched to what the question raised. 4. Conclusion: summarise what was discussed. Do not introduce components the question didn't ask for.

Problems + solutions: 1. Introduction: paraphrase the issue and preview only what's asked — problems and solutions. 2. Body 1: the resulting problems or consequences, developed with their impact. 3. Body 2: workable solutions matched to what the question raised. 4. Conclusion: summarise what was discussed. Do not introduce components the question didn't ask for.

Double Questions — Two Direct Questions, Two Full Answers

Give each question its own body paragraph and answer it completely — a half-answered second question caps the score.

1. Introduction: paraphrase the topic and acknowledge both questions. 2. Body 1: a full answer to the first question. 3. Body 2: a full answer to the second question. 4. Conclusion: tie the two answers together.