IELTS Task 2 Examples: The 4-Step Formula That Lifts Scores

Priya Sharma

Priya Sharma writes English learning guides for ESL students. Pune-based language enthusiast.

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Quick answer: A good IELTS Task 2 example is short, specific and clearly linked to your point. Use the formula: make a claim, explain why, give one concrete example, then link it back to the question. Avoid fake statistics and long personal stories.↗ Share on X

To use examples well in IELTS Writing Task 2, follow a simple four-step pattern in each body paragraph: make your point, explain it, give one specific example, and link it back to the question. The example should be short (one or two sentences), realistic, and directly connected to the idea you just explained. It should not be a long personal story or a made-up statistic.

That is the whole method. The rest of this article shows you how to choose good examples, which kinds work best, and what a strong paragraph looks like compared to a weak one.

Why do examples matter so much in Task 2?

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Task 2 is the essay. You have about 40 minutes and must write at least 250 words. It counts for more of your Writing score than Task 1.

Examiners use four criteria:

1. Task Response – Did you answer every part of the question and support your ideas?

2. Coherence and Cohesion – Is the essay organized and easy to follow?

3. Lexical Resource – How wide and accurate is your vocabulary?

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy – How varied and correct is your grammar?

Examples matter most for Task Response. The public band descriptors talk about ideas being "extended and supported." An idea with no support stays general and vague. An example turns a general idea into something the reader can picture, which shows you can develop an argument.

What makes an example "good"?

A good example has four qualities:

The 4-step paragraph formula

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Here is the pattern, with the job of each sentence:

1. Point (topic sentence): State the main idea of the paragraph in one sentence.

2. Explain: Say why or how this is true. One or two sentences.

3. Example: Show it happening in the real world. One or two sentences.

4. Link: Connect back to the question or your position. One sentence.

This gives you a body paragraph of about five to seven sentences, which fits well in a four- or five-paragraph essay.

What does a weak paragraph look like next to a strong one?

Question: *Some people think that governments should spend more money on public transport rather than building new roads. To what extent do you agree?*

Weak paragraph:

Public transport is very good for many reasons. It is good for the environment and also good for people. For example, in my country many people use buses. Therefore governments should spend more money on public transport.

Problems: the point is vague ("very good for many reasons"), there is no explanation of *why*, and the example ("many people use buses") does not prove anything about spending or the environment.

Strong paragraph:

The main argument for investing in public transport is that it reduces traffic congestion in a way that new roads cannot. When a city adds lanes to a highway, driving becomes easier for a short time, which encourages more people to drive, and the roads soon fill up again. By contrast, a reliable metro or bus rapid transit line can move large numbers of commuters without adding a single car to the street. For instance, cities that have built dedicated bus lanes often find that buses become faster than driving at rush hour, which persuades many drivers to leave their cars at home. Spending on public transport, therefore, tackles the cause of congestion rather than simply making room for more of it.

Notice how the example is general enough to be true (it does not invent a city or a number) but specific enough to picture: dedicated bus lanes, rush hour, drivers switching.

Which types of examples work best?

You can draw on several kinds. Mixing them across the essay shows range.

1. General real-world situations

"In many large cities, young professionals spend over an hour commuting each day…" These are common patterns most readers recognize. They are the safest choice.

2. Your own country

"In Vietnam, motorbikes are the main form of transport for families…" This is fine as long as it is accurate and relevant. You don't need numbers.

3. Hypothetical examples

"Imagine a student who works part-time while studying. She may…" Use these when you can't think of a real case. Introduce them clearly with "imagine" or "if" so the reader knows it is a scenario.

4. Well-known facts

"Smartphones have made it possible to work from almost anywhere…" Widely accepted facts make strong, quick examples.

5. Personal experience (use carefully)

"When I started learning English, watching films with subtitles helped me…" This can work in a sentence or two, but avoid long stories. The essay is an argument, not a diary. Many teachers suggest keeping personal examples for questions that ask about individuals.

Should I invent statistics?

It is safer not to. Examiners do not check facts, but a made-up figure such as "87% of people in the UK…" can sound unnatural and take space that a clear explanation would use better. Your score comes from how well you develop and support ideas, not from data. A believable general example almost always does the job.

Useful phrases to introduce examples

Vary these instead of writing "For example" in every paragraph:

• For instance, …
• A clear example of this is …
• This can be seen in …
• To illustrate, …
• Take … as an example.
• This is especially true in …, where …
• … such as …

And to link back:

• This shows that …
• Clearly, therefore, …
• As a result, it is evident that …
• This illustrates why …

Don't memorize whole template sentences. Examiners recognize memorized language, and it can hurt your score. Learn the phrases, then build your own sentences.

How do I find examples quickly under time pressure?

You only have about 40 minutes, so planning matters. Spend roughly five minutes planning before you write.

1. Read the question twice and underline the key words.

2. Decide your position (if it's an opinion question).

3. Write down two main ideas, one per body paragraph.

4. Next to each idea, ask yourself: "Who does this affect, and where can I see it?"

5. Write a three- or four-word note for the example.

The question "who and where" pulls you quickly toward something concrete: students in rural areas, older workers in factories, families in big cities, small shop owners.

Common example mistakes to avoid

1. The example proves a different point. You write about health benefits but the example is about saving money.

2. The example is longer than the argument. Three sentences of story, one sentence of reasoning.

3. The example is a list. "For example, cars, buses, trains, planes and ships." A list is not an example; it is a list.

4. Every example is about you. One personal example is fine; three makes the essay sound narrow.

5. No link sentence. The reader has to guess why the example matters.

How can I practice this week?

Try this simple routine:

If you can, have a teacher or a study partner check your paragraphs against the four criteria. Outside feedback catches problems you can't see yourself.

Your next step

Take one essay you have already written. Highlight every example in yellow. For each one, ask: Does it prove the point? Is it one or two sentences? Is there a link sentence after it? Rewrite the weakest paragraph using the four-step formula, and keep that version as your model for the next practice essay.

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