IELTS Task 2: Two-part question essays
The prompt asks two direct questions, often unrelated in form — a why and a what, or a cause and a judgement. They are the most straightforward Task 2 type and the easiest to half-answer.
One paragraph each, equally weighted
- Underline both questions in the prompt before planning anything.
- Introduction: rephrase the topic and say that both will be addressed.
- Body 1 answers question one, fully.
- Body 2 answers question two, fully.
- Conclusion: one sentence on each answer.
The weighting matters. A body paragraph of 130 words followed by one of 50 is a half-answered essay, and Task Response treats it as such however strong the first half is.
Spotting them
- Two question marks in the prompt.
- "Why is this the case, and what can be done about it?"
- "Is this a positive or negative development, and how should it be managed?"
- An instruction joined by "and" where each half could stand as its own essay.
Where one of the two asks for your opinion, give it plainly. That half is then an opinion essay in miniature and needs a position, not a survey.
Two-part questions — FAQs
2 questions
Answer them separately anyway. The marker is checking both were addressed, and merging them makes that hard to see.
Yes, if the content needs it — but keep the two answers clearly separated and comparably developed.
More writing question types
Sources
Written from the test board's own published material and checked on 1 October 2026.