Writing skill is considered by many to be the most difficult in IELTS, but not everyone gets a high score in this Writing test. To do well in the Writing Task 2 test, you must have a deep and wide enough vocabulary to be able to write well on any given topic. In this article, DOL will introduce to you IELTS Writing task 2 vocabulary to provide a vocabulary store to review effectively and get a high score in the Writing Task 2 test!
1. Vocabulary used in Writing IELTS Task 2
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In IELTS Writing Task 2 Are there any commonly used words/phrases? How to apply these words/phrases effectively to get a high band score in IELTS Writing? Let’s take a look at the vocabulary for IELTS Writing Task 2 below with DOL!
1.1 Introduction
| Vocabulary | Means | Eg |
| Some individuals are of the opinion that…. | Many people think that… | Some individuals are of the opinion that the government should impose heavy tax on personal vehicels. |
| It goes without saying that… | The obvious fact is… | It goes without saying that global warming has been the major problem that needs urgent actions to be addressed. |
| It is undeniable that… | The indisputable fact is… | It is undeniable that the relocation of industrial zones to surburn areas would reduce pollution in central cities. |
| Many people claim that…. | Many people claim that… | Many people claim that living in major cities is detrimental to both their mental and physical health. |
| A is one of the most important issues… | A is one of the important issues… | Overweigh is one of the most important issues that are worth concern. |
| Nowadays/ Recently/ These days | Today/Recently/Recently | Nowadays, young people have a tendency to be workaholic. |
| It is often said that… | They usually say that… | It is often said that traveling plays a crucial role in enhancing cultural knowledge. |
| …Is a heated debate… | …is a hotly debated issue | Whether history should be the compulsory subject in school is a heated debate. |
Vocabulary used in the introduction of IELTS Writing Task 2
1.2 The opening ending
| Vocabulary | Means | Eg |
| From my perspective… | In my opinion… | From my perspective, I would express my strong opposition to that suggestion as broadcasting criminal cases through multimedia sites is beneficial in terms of educating citizens and exercising caution in dealing with serious offenses. |
| This essay would delve into,… | This essay will discuss… | This essay would delve into the reason why many people encounter the failure of balancing those aforementioned aspects and propose certain solutions to deal with the problem. |
| The following paragraphs discuss… | The following paragraphs will talk about… | The following paragraphs discuss why individuals in certain regions make an endeavor in knowing more about their families and reach an accord that the phenomenon is positive. |
| I strongly disagree with the notion that… | I completely disagree with the idea… | I strongly disagree with the notion that information that is now easily accessible via the use of computers can replace museums. |
Words often used in the closing part of IELTS Writing Task 2
1.3 Argumentation section
Essay structure for IELTS Writing Task 2
| Vocabulary | Means | Eg |
| To begin/start with… | The first is… | To begin with, the aging population plays a practical role in providing assistance for young generations in family and society. |
| Firstly/First and foremost,… | The first argument is… | Firstly, seniors have devoted their whole life to contributing to the growth of our society; therefore, treating them with dignity and respect is of paramount importance. |
| Not to mention that… | Not to mention… | Not to mention that exchanging goods under no governmental restrictions offers full accessibility to a diversity of products. |
| Chief among these is… | One of the key points is… | Chief among these is that recreational activities based on technology mostly require people to sit for long periods of time, which promotes a sedentary lifestyle. |
| Concerning the first/second idea,… | Regarding the first/second idea… | Concerning the second idea, the proliferation of illegal trading would be negatively encouraged when no policy is established by the government. |
| Another point worth concerning is… | Another point worth noting is… | Another point worth concerning is that the increasing number of senior populations stimulates the demand for healthcare. |
| Furthermore/Besides/In addition,… | In addition/Besides/Moreover… | Furthermore, these days, the social standing of a family tends to depend on the way they organize their children’s weddings. |
| Lastly/ Last but not least,… | The final argument is… | Last but not least, artificial intelligence software is capable of translating multiple languages. |
1.4 Presenting ideas and giving examples
| Vocabulary | Means | Eg |
| Regarding/In terms of + gerund | In terms of… | Regarding the latter solutions, urgent actions should be taken to move major industries to the outskirts, which consequently prevents people from migrating to cities and hence lower the homelessness rate in metropolises. |
| In particular,… | Detail… | In particular, DNA tests have helped many people without family to track down their long-lost relatives and discover brothers and sisters they never knew they had. |
| With regard/respect to + gerund | In terms of… | With regard to causes of pollution, car emissions are not the sole contributor. |
| According to + Noun | According to… | According to me, the growth of cities has created many social problems. |
| For instance/ For example | For example is… | For example, people owing a digital device such as smartphones can access both online and offline games at ease within their convenience. |
| Not only….but also…. | Not only but also… | Obviously, traditional music requires not only a thorough understanding of its nature but also talent as well as constant practice to deliver the best piece of music enjoyed by the public. |
| It appears that… | It seems… | It appears that language is one of the authentic reflections of its culture; thus, linguistic learning would play a pivotal role in the provision of cultural experience that electronic translators fail to deliver. |
| At the same time… | At the same time… | At the same time performers of pop music always try to set good examples, especially when presenting in public. |
Suggest common vocabulary words in the section giving examples and ideas for IELTS Writing Task 2
1.5 Result section
Structure of the section stating results in IELTS Writing Task 2
| Vocabulary | Means | Eg |
| As a consequence/Consequently | The result is… | Consequently, hard-working employees would probably be offered competitive salaries and good benefits. |
| As a result | The result is… | As a result, young people can significantly alleviate social problems and improve the quality of life in their community. |
| Therefore/Thus,… | So… | Therefore, it is the schools’ responsibility to provide their students with essential knowledge as well as practical skills to be intellectual and become innovative workers in the job market. |
| Due to + Noun | Because/Do… | Due to the substantial increase in industrial production combined with excessive deforestation, global warming has been becoming an alarming issue. |
| …lead to…/ result in… | …lead to… | Obviously, tremendous pressure from work and a lack of support from all relatives resulted in the tendency of hiding one’s inner feelings, whose long-term effect would do more harm than good to his or her mental health. |
1.6 Contrast expression
| Vocabulary | Means | Eg |
| Though/Although/Even though… | In spite of… | To recapitulate, although some people may withstand mental suffering when not living in close proximity to families and friends for the sake of searching for a source of livelihood, this practice provides individuals with wage stability, and ample opportunities to be advanced. |
| However/Nevertheless,… | However,… | However, schools should benefit children as individuals because these institutes are crucial in helping children to emotionally develop and unleash their potential. |
| Despite/In spite of + Noun,… | Though,… | Despite the aforementioned drawbacks, I think that patriotism can be favorable in terms of promoting solidarity and enhancing national independence. |
| Despite the fact that… | Despite the fact that… | Despite the fact that certain individuals suppose that the government allocation of financial resources should be distributed to other impoverished countries, I think it is of paramount importance to focus on curbing their domestic issues. |
Common words when you need to show contrast
1.7 Opinion section
Structure for opinion in IELTS Writing Task 2
| Vocabulary | Means | Eg |
| From my perspective/point of viewIn my viewpoint/opinion | My opinion is… | From my perspective, I am in consummate agreement with the proposal of determining national priority on internal problems |
| Personally | Personally, I think… | Personally, exerting discipline on parents for their children’s wrongdoings is not justified as every individual is responsible for their own actions and kids are also influenced by other factors. |
| I think/suppose/agree that… | I think… | I think that the demerits of this tendency are eclipsed by its benefits. |
| As far as I am concerned,… | As far as I know… | As far as I am concerned, it is not vital to the success of an individual; this is because whether maths is important is dependent both on the business and the position of the employee or employer holds. |
1.8 Conclusion
| Vocabulary | Means | Eg |
| In conclusionTo sum upTo recapitulateIn brief | In summary,…./ Conclusion,…. | In conclusion, although parents play a crucial role in setting examples for their children, I am of the opinion that it is unjustified to accuse them of their children’s dirty deeds because of individual liability for their actions and other exterior influential parties. |
| Taking everything into consideration,… | Consider all issues… | Taking everything into consideration, I argue that while mathematics is certainly an important component of any business and a useful skill set for any employee, one does not necessarily need to be proficient in mathematics in order to nonetheless succeed. |
| All in all,… | In summary,…/ Conclusion,… | All in all, although I acknowledge that the role of offering pragmatic knowledge of real-life experiences is undeniable, from my perspective, the inexpensive cost and diversified content of books and movies make them a more possible approach to widen one’s horizon. |
| Weighing up both sides of the argument,… | Considering both sides of the issue,… | Weighing up both sides of the argument, although children have to face pressure from studying more lingual subjects in their very early years of life, the integration of foreign languages in primary school’s curriculum has paved the way for enhancing students’ capability and career prospects. |
Suggest commonly used words in the conclusion
An important tip is that IELTS examiners will appreciate in writing if candidates use unfamiliar words and phrases with a high level of difficulty. Of course, any confusion in spelling or word usage should be avoided. However, if you think a word or phrase is likely to fit the Writing Task 2 essay you’re writing, use it. Because, even if you misspell, the examiner will still be able to give you extra points.
IELTS Writing Strategies
2. Common sentence structures used in Writing IELTS Task 2
Structures and phrases commonly used in IELTS Writing Task 2
🔴 Despite the disadvantages/advantages involved, I am of the opinion that + S + V + favorable/unfavorable.
Eg: Despite the disadvantages involved, I am of the opinion that the inclusion of non-native languages in the elementary level curriculum is generally more favorable.
=> This writing structure is often used at the end of the opening paragraph to reaffirm which opinion you support. Instead of using I think/ I agree… this structure can help raise your band score.
🔴 Nevertheless, I believe that the benefits of + Noun + are more significant because + clause.
Eg: Nevertheless, I believe that the benefits of levying an entrance fee are more significant because the money generated from such a fee can allow for the sustainable development of museums.
=> You can take advantage of this Writing structure when you want to give an opinion against the argument just made. This is the perfect structure for the opening sentence of the second body paragraph in Advatages-Disadvantages.
🔴 The idea of + Noun + can be detrimental/beneficial in terms of + Noun.
Eg: The idea of public bodies financing children’s education can be detrimental in terms of the indoctrination of children.
=> In the sentences that want to affirm the advantages/disadvantages of the problem, instead of simply writing A is beneficial/disadvantageous, you can apply the structure above and use the noun form to make your article more interesting. Be as concise and concise as possible!
🔴 Not only …, but also …..
Eg: Various companies not only attempt to establish worldwide networks but also provide mobile devices at more affordable prices, making them accessible to those with low income.
=> This is quite a familiar structure when it comes toPhrases used in Writing IELTS Task 2right? However, this structure is still appreciated in the essay due to the comprehensiveness of the content it conveys.
🔴 Clause, thereby + V-ing….
Eg: This could help relieve the pressure on road transport, thereby potentially easing congestion.
=> Instead of using thus/therefore to make the sentence longer, you can consider using the structure with the word “thereby”. Using this word requires you to find the right noun/noun phrase that follows, so it can help you score points in the vocabulary section as well.
Please see more writing skills right below:
3. IELTS Writing Task 2 sample
Sample 1
Sample IELTS Writing Task 2 should check out
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The question of whether constructing subway systems is the key to alleviating traffic issues in urban areas is a debatable matter. Although I acknowledge the benefits of these systems, I still have to disagree with this suggestion as, to me, a daily charge on cars is a more pragmatic approach.
Those who advocate the use of subways may point to the fact that these systems can provide high-capacity transit. These trains have various carriages, each being able to accommodate dozens of passengers, which can allow them to transport vast numbers of people at the same time. This could help relieve the pressure on road transport, thereby potentially easing congestion. Nevertheless, it is the issue of costs that makes me believe that this is not the best way. The expenditure on the construction and maintenance of the tunnels and the trains can be massive, meaning that not all cities could afford such a transit system.
A cheaper and simpler measure, in my opinion, is congestion pricing, by which the authorities can charge drivers for entering certain parts of the city during peak hours. The idea is that if the tolls are high enough, car owners could be deterred from driving and therefore, the quantity of private vehicles hitting the roads would drop. Coupled with this would be the money raised, which could in turn be invested in improving public transport infrastructure. Such a charging scheme has been successfully launched in various cities, namely Milan and London, where considerable decreases in traffic jams have been recorded.
To summarize, despite acknowledging the advantages brought by subways, I take the view that they are not the best remedy for urban traffic issues and that imposing a charge on car use is a better option. (291 words).
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Sample 2
Topic: Some people say patriotism causes problems and is negative overall. Others feel that it is beneficial for society at large. Do the advantages of patriotism outweigh its disadvantages?
Certain individuals are of the opinion that issues may occur once people become patriotic, especially in extreme cases, which is regarded as an adverse tendency. However, another school of thought opines that it is worthy and advantageous to show national loyalty. I think that the demerits of this tendency are eclipsed by its benefits.
To begin with, patriotism at its most extreme could be regarded as problematic due to its detrimental impacts on economic and social aspects. With regard to the former, the loyalty that one may express towards their country is attached to a feeling of superiority over other countries. This causes an obstruction in international trade as people regard others from different nations as inferiors; thus, there is no attempt to be made in commercing and exchanging goods worldwide. Turning to the second idea, it is true that in the modern-day, while every nation enjoys equal standing on a global scale, any country putting itself on a pedestal is detrimental to mutual connectivity and often leads to conflict as well as social exclusion of other minorities. Such practice, in extreme cases, maybe the primary cause of terrorism around the globe.
However, despite the aforementioned drawbacks, I think that patriotism can be favorable in terms of promoting solidarity and enhancing national independence. Firstly, patriotism plays a crucial role in uniting people living in the same country. The majority of citizens, undeniably, would value communal senses, and eventually, national unity could be obtained. In this case, patriotism can be supposed as a means of protection which safeguards the country from outside terrorists. Furthermore, without national unity, one country may have to accept unfavorable trading conditions that can be dictated by another country. Thus, it is of paramount importance for a nation to stay independent to avoid adverse effects. For instance, authorities should be aware of the number of goods produced within the country to minimize imported products and consequently be under no control.
In conclusion, although I acknowledge that patriotism, on extreme levels, may be detrimental to a global economy and society, I think that its benefits including enhancing unity and national independence are more considerable.
📖 DOL would like to send you a few other reference topics:
- IELTS Writing topics
- Gap year IELTS Writing task 2: https://www.dolenglish.vn/blog/gap-year-ielts#cách_viết_gap_year_ielts_essay
📌 Along with that are the types of writing in Writing Task 2:
- How to write task 2 IELTS General Writing: https://www.dolenglish.vn/blog/ielts-general-writing-task-2#ielts_general_writing_task_2_tips
- Argumentative essay format IELTS: https://www.dolenglish.vn/blog/argumentative-essay-ielts#argumentative_essay_examples_ielts
- Discussion essay for IELTS: https://www.dolenglish.vn/blog/discussion-essay-ielts#sample_of_discussion_essay
Watch the following video to learn more vocabulary used in Writing:
4. Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to use phrases in IELTS Writing Task 2?
Is it possible to use idioms in IELTS Writing Task?
Is it possible to use personal pronouns in IELTS Writing task 2?
Regularly reading sample lessons is one of the ways to learn phrases used in Writing IELTS Task 2 effective or you can check it out List of vocabulary for IELTS Writing task 2. You can visit DOL’s website www.dolenglish.vn to see the latest updated IELTS Writing Task 2 samples to learn more vocabulary and good sentence structure!
