IELTS Task 2 Examples: The 4-Step Paragraph That Works
Quick answer: Give one specific, realistic example per body paragraph, placed right after your explanation, and end with one sentence linking it back to your point. Examiners do not check if the example is true; they check whether it makes your argument clearer.↗ Share on X
To use examples well in IELTS Writing Task 2, give one specific, realistic example per body paragraph, put it right after the point it supports, and finish with one sentence that links the example back to your argument. A good example is short (two or three sentences), concrete (a type of person, place or situation the examiner can picture) and clearly connected to the question. Examiners do not check if your example is true. They check if it makes your idea clearer and more convincing.
Below is a simple method you can practise today, with model sentences, a table of example types, and the most common mistakes that keep candidates stuck at Band 6.
Why do examples matter so much in Task 2?
IELTS Speaking Part 3: How Long Should Each Answer Be? →
IELTS Part 2 Notes: A 60-Second Plan That Fills 2 Minutes →
IELTS Writing Cohesion: Linking Words That Reach Band 8 →Task 2 is marked on four criteria: Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Examples affect the first one most.
In Task Response, examiners look at how well you develop and support your main ideas. A paragraph with a clear point but no support often reads as "underdeveloped". A paragraph that is all examples and no point reads as a story, not an argument. You need both, in the right order.
- Your point says what you believe.
- Your explanation says why it is true.
- Your example shows it happening in real life.
Without the example, the reader has to trust you. With it, they can see it.
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What is the best structure for a body paragraph?
Use this four-step pattern. It works for opinion, discussion, advantage/disadvantage and problem/solution essays.
1. Topic sentence – your main point in one clear sentence.
2. Explanation – one or two sentences that explain why.
3. Example – a specific case that proves the point.
4. Link back – one sentence connecting the example to the question.
Model paragraph (question: *Some people think children should start school at a very early age. Do you agree?*):
One major benefit of starting school early is that children develop social skills sooner. In a classroom, young children must share, wait their turn and solve small conflicts without a parent stepping in. For example, a four-year-old who spends each morning in a nursery group quickly learns to ask for a toy instead of grabbing it, because the other children will not accept rude behaviour. These early lessons in cooperation make the move to primary school much smoother, which supports the idea that an early start can be valuable.
Notice the example is not a famous study or a statistic. It is a simple, believable situation. That is enough.
Which types of examples work best?
IELTS Writing Task 2: A 5-Step Plan to Organize Ideas →
IELTS Speaking: Use Advanced Words Without Sounding Fake →
IELTS Opinion Essay: How to Reach Band 8 in Writing Task 2 →You have more options than you think. Here are the main types, with when to use them.
| Type of example | What it looks like | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hypothetical person | "a factory worker who loses his job to automation…" | Almost any topic | Keep it realistic, not dramatic |
| General situation in a country | "in many large cities, commuters spend hours in traffic…" | Environment, transport, urban life | Do not invent exact numbers |
| Personal experience | "in my country, most students take extra classes after school…" | Education, culture, family | Keep it short; avoid long stories |
| Well-known general fact | "smartphones have made it easy to work from home…" | Technology, work | Must be common knowledge |
| Contrast example | "while rural families rely on cars, city residents often use the metro…" | Comparison and discussion essays | Make the contrast clear |
Can I make up a statistic?
Avoid it. Writing "According to a 2019 study, 73% of teenagers…" when you invented it does not usually help your score. It can sound forced, and if the number is unrealistic it weakens your argument. A general phrase such as "a growing number of teenagers" or "many young people" is safer and still clear.
Can I use a personal example?
Yes. Task 2 asks you to use your own knowledge and experience. Just keep it relevant and short. Two sentences about your cousin's experience with online learning is fine. A full paragraph about your holiday is not.
How do I introduce an example naturally?
Many candidates use "For example" in every paragraph. It is not wrong, but variety helps your Lexical Resource score. Here are useful phrases, grouped by how they work:
To start an example:
- For example, / For instance,
- A clear example of this is…
- This can be seen in…
- To illustrate, …
- Take, for example, …
To introduce a hypothetical case:
- Imagine a family that…
- Consider a student who…
- If a city decides to…, it…
To link the example back:
- This shows that…
- This demonstrates how…
- As a result, it is clear that…
- Cases like this suggest that…
Do not memorise one long template and force it into every essay. Examiners notice memorised language, and it can lower your score if it does not fit the question.
What mistakes stop examples from working?
These are the problems that most often weaken Task 2 paragraphs:
1. The example does not match the point. If your point is about health, an example about saving money is off-topic.
2. The example is too general. "For example, many people like technology" is not an example. It is another general statement. Make it specific: who, where, doing what?
3. The example is too long. If your example takes five sentences, you have less space for explanation. Two or three sentences is the target.
4. No link back. The examiner should not have to guess why the example is there. One sentence of connection solves this.
5. Too many examples in one paragraph. One strong example is better than three weak ones in a list.
6. Famous names used wrongly. Mentioning a real company or politician is risky if you are not sure of the facts. A neutral example ("a large technology company") is safer.
7. Example in the introduction. The introduction should paraphrase the question and give your position. Save examples for the body.
How do I find good examples fast in the exam?
You have about 40 minutes for Task 2 and need at least 250 words. Most candidates spend 5 minutes planning. Use part of that time to choose examples before you write.
A quick planning method:
1. Read the question twice. Underline the topic and the exact task (agree/disagree, discuss both views, etc.).
2. Write your two main points in a few words each.
3. For each point, ask: "Who does this affect?" The answer is often your example: students, workers, parents, small businesses, older people, city residents.
4. Picture one real situation for that person. Write it in five or six words in your plan.
5. Check the link. Does the example clearly prove the point? If not, change it now, not halfway through the essay.
Build an example bank before test day
The best way to be fast in the exam is to prepare general examples for common topics. Make a page in your notebook with these headings:
- Education
- Technology
- Environment
- Health
- Work and employment
- Crime and law
- Government and society
- Globalisation and culture
Under each heading, write three or four flexible examples. For instance, under Technology: "an older person using video calls to see grandchildren", "a student using free online courses", "a shop that closed because customers moved online". Each one can support many different questions.
How do examples look in a full discussion essay?
Question: *Some people believe that working from home is better for employees, while others think it harms productivity. Discuss both views and give your opinion.*
Body paragraph 1 (one view):
Supporters of remote work argue that it gives employees more control over their time. Without a daily commute, workers can start earlier or use the saved hours for family and rest. For instance, a parent who used to spend two hours a day travelling to an office can now take their children to school and still begin work on time. This flexibility can reduce stress and help people stay in their jobs longer.
Body paragraph 2 (other view):
On the other hand, critics say that working from home makes teamwork harder. Quick questions that would take a minute in an office can turn into long chains of emails. Consider a new employee who needs guidance on a task: at home, they may wait hours for a reply instead of simply asking a colleague at the next desk. Situations like this suggest that remote work can slow down learning and cooperation, especially for new staff.
Both paragraphs follow the same pattern: point, explanation, specific example, link back. The examples are invented but realistic, and each one supports exactly one idea.
How can I practise this skill this week?
Here is a simple seven-day plan:
1. Day 1: Build your example bank for education and technology.
2. Day 2: Add environment and health.
3. Day 3: Add work, crime, government and culture.
4. Day 4: Take three past Task 2 questions. Write only the body paragraphs using the four-step pattern.
5. Day 5: Rewrite the examples from Day 4 to be more specific (add who, where and what happened).
6. Day 6: Write one full essay in 40 minutes with a timer.
7. Day 7: Check every paragraph: is there a clear point, an explanation, one specific example, and a link back? Fix anything missing.
If possible, ask a teacher or a strong English speaker to check whether your examples clearly support your points.
Your next step
Open your notebook now and write the eight topic headings listed above. Under the first two, Education and Technology, write three short, realistic examples each, then use them to answer one past Task 2 question with the four-step paragraph pattern. That single exercise will show you how much stronger your paragraphs become when every point is backed by a clear example.
FAQ
Can I invent examples in IELTS Writing Task 2?
Yes, realistic hypothetical examples are fine. Avoid inventing exact statistics or study names, because they can sound forced and weaken your argument.
How many examples should I use in each paragraph?
One strong, specific example per body paragraph is usually enough. Several weak examples in a list add words but not support.
Can I use personal experience as an example?
Yes. Task 2 asks you to use your own knowledge and experience. Keep it short, two or three sentences, and clearly connected to your point.