IELTS Writing Task 2: Two-part Question with Sample Answer

IELTS Writing Task 2: Question

Try this two-part question about the United Nations. Though they may sound complicated, two-part questions are actually quite easy because they give you two points to discuss, rather than the usual single point.

The United Nations recently celebrated its 70th anniversary. What benefits has it brought during this time? Do you think the UN will last another 70 years?

You should write at least 250 words.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Model Answer

The United Nations was established at the end of the Second World War in order to provide a peaceful way to resolve national differences. Since its formation 70 years ago, there has not been a Third World War. Furthermore, the UN has expanded its global role to include many more activities besides peacekeeping. This essay will look at some of the UN’s achievements and predict what the future might hold for the organisation.

It is difficult to imagine a world without the United Nations. The organisation plays a leading role in everything from conflict resolution and peacekeeping to emergency food aid and global public health. Many people trust the UN because it is a democratic organisation that reflects the interests of all its member states and not just one particular country. In this way, it can be argued that the UN has restricted the influence of powerful countries like the USA, Russia and China, while allowing smaller nations a say in global affairs. It is also effective at collecting funds from richer member states and redistributing it as economic aid or emergency assistance to parts of the world which need it most.

Yet the world is a very different place from how it looked in 1945, which has led some people to question the need for a powerful organisation like the UN. In particular, there are some proponents of free trade who argue that competition and not cooperation between nations is the fastest way to pursue economic development. However, I would argue that the more nations become interdependent, the more they will require a global forum to resolve their differences. While there are other global organisations that can play a similar role, such as the World Bank and International Criminal Court, none has the scope of the UN. For that reason, the UN is sure to exist for decades to come, and possibly for another 70 years.

In conclusion, the UN remains the most viable organisation for dealing with the world’s problems, and this is unlikely to change very soon.

(340 words, IELTS 9.0)

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Why does this Task 2 answer get an IELTS Band 9 score?

Task response: The candidate answers both parts of the question. The candidate states clear opinions and supports them with examples. The argument is well-written and persuasive.

Coherence and cohesion: There are two body paragraphs which each deal with one part of the question. Both parts of the two-part question are addressed in both the introduction and conclusion. There are clear links between sentences and between paragraphs.

Lexical resource: The candidate introduces topic-specific vocabulary with natural collocation: global affairs, conflict resolution, emergency assistance, etc.

Grammatical range and accuracy: Conjunctions and relative pronouns are used throughout the essay to combine two or more ideas into complex sentences. There are no errors in the candidate’s grammar or punctuation.

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Teacher’s Notes

Did you find some parts of the model answer difficult to understand? If so, you needn’t worry too much. Only a native speaker could have written this. An IELTS Band 6 or 7 answer would not be as sophisticated. An IELTS Band 8 answer would resemble this one but contain a few mistakes. So, even when the subject is a lofty one like the United Nations, try to be realistic in your objectives. It’s only a quick writing exercise, not a master’s thesis!