Writing Task 2

Exam information
• Task 2 is a discursive essay.
• The question may contain more than one part to discuss.
• You must write at least 250 words in about 40 minutes.

Ex 1: Work in pairs. Read this Writing task and say whether the statements below are true
(T) or false (F). Correct the false ones.
Write about the following topic.
Most people are not interested in how their food has been produced. They only care about how
much it costs.
How true is this statement? What influences people when they buy food? Give reasons for
your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
1. This essay is about consumers and food.
2. There is one part to the question.
3. It is only necessary to discuss food production and cost.
4. I do not have to agree with the first statement.
5. Some personal experience and examples have to be included.

Ex 2: Make some notes on these questions relating to the task in Exercise 1. Discuss your
opinions and ideas.
1. How much do people care about: b) the cost of their food?
a) how their food has been produced 2. What other things do people care about
when they buy food?

Ex 3: IELTS candidates often make mistakes with linking words and phrases. Read the
sample answer on the right and circle the best option from each pair of expressions in
italics (1-10).
Ex 4: Read the sample answer again. Which of your ideas in Exercise 2 does the writer
discuss?
Ex 5: Answer these questions
1. How many paragraphs are there?
2. What does the writer include in the first paragraph?
3. Where is the writer's opinion about the statements in the task?
4. Does the writer include any personal experience? Where?
5. Underline the writer's two main ideas.
6. Which ideas and examples in the sample answer were also mentioned during your discussion?
7. Do you agree with the writer's conclusions? Why? Why not?

Ex 6: Say whether these statements about the Writing task are true (T) or false (F).
1. You shouldn't copy from the question paper.
2. The answer can be in bullet points.
3. It is important to plan the answer.
4. Paragraphing is important.
5. Spelling does not have to be correct.

Ex 7: Work in small groups. Read this Writing task and answer the questions below. Write
about the following topic.

1. Is it true that many children have an unhealthy lifestyle? Why?

2. Are parents responsible? Why? What should they do?
3. Are schools responsible? Why? What should they do?
4. Is anyone else responsible? Who?
 Key grammar (Countable and uncountable nouns)
Ex 1: Look at this extract from the sample answer on page 24. Which underlined noun is
countable and which one is uncountable?
... there are many different attitudes towards food ...
Ex 2: Look at the highlighted words in the sample answer. Which are countable and which
are uncountable?
Ex 3: Look at these words/phrases that are often used with countable/uncountable nouns.
Put them in the correct column of the table below.

countable nouns uncountable nouns countable or uncountable nouns

A (wide) range of

Ex 4: IELTS students often make mistakes with countable and uncountable nouns. Choose
the correct expression to complete each sentence.
1. Recently, the number / amount of fast food that is eaten has increased.
2. For example, few / a few years ago there were not many microwave ovens in our country.
3. Technology brings much / many advantages to our lives.
4. I think many / a lot of research must be done on organic farming.
5. You can't get many / much information about your health these days without using the
Internet.
6. Unfortunately, I have little / a little time to cook when I get home.
7. I think the amount / number of fast-food stores should be reduced.
8. Some children eat much / a lot of oily and fatty foods.