How to write an IELTS two-part question essay
6 min read · Updated 6 October 2026
Some Task 2 questions ask two separate questions, for example: Why is this happening? Is it a positive or negative development? These are often called direct or two-part questions. The rule is simple and strict: answer both questions, clearly and fully. Leaving one out, or answering it in a single line, can hold Task Response at band 5.
Read the two questions as two jobs
Write each question down and answer it in a few words before you plan anything:
Why are more people living alone? Because they can afford to, and they marry later. Is it positive or negative? Mostly positive, with one real risk: loneliness in old age.
Those two short answers are your plan.
A four-paragraph plan
- Introduction: paraphrase the topic and give a short answer to each question.
- Body 1: the first question, answered in depth with a reason and an example.
- Body 2: the second question, answered in depth with a reason and an example.
- Conclusion: both answers again, in one or two sentences.
One body paragraph per question keeps your structure obvious to the examiner, which helps Coherence and Cohesion as well as Task Response.
If the second question asks for your opinion (“Is this a good thing?”, “Do you think…?”), give one. “It has positives and negatives” is not an answer to a yes-or-no question.
Different question words need different answers
- Why…? asks for causes. Explain them.
- What effects…? asks for results.
- How can…? asks for methods or solutions.
- Is it positive or negative? or Do you think…? asks for your judgement.
Practise
Read the model answers on living alone (with a band 6 version) and why the news is so negative. Paste any question into the essay type checker to see each part it asks you to answer, then try a two-part question.
Put it into practice
Write an essay and get an estimated band for each criterion, with the sentences to fix marked.