IELTS Task 2 paragraphs: move from a claim to a useful example
Develop a focused Task 2 paragraph with a reason, an original example and revision questions that keep the argument tied to the prompt.
When an idea has only one sentence of substance, adding connectors will not develop it. A paragraph needs to explain why its claim matters to the question. A narrow idea you can support is often more useful than several ambitious, unfinished claims.
Choose an idea you can explain
For a practice question about remote work, narrow the claim that home working is always better. You might instead argue that avoiding a commute can preserve time for focused work. That gives you a relationship to explain. Do not add absolute language merely to sound confident; obvious exceptions can weaken the argument. Your position should answer this prompt rather than reproduce a prepared list of advantages and disadvantages.
Connect the reason and example
Explain how the saved time changes the working day. In an invented example, an employee uses time previously spent travelling to prepare for the first meeting. Do not present this fictional case as research or verified statistics. If the example simply repeats the claim, the argument has not advanced. A relevant limitation, such as the need for a quiet workspace, can help establish exactly when your reasoning applies.
Check the work each sentence does
Label sentences as claim, explanation, illustration or implication. If two perform the same job without adding information, combine them. Return to the prompt and confirm that the paragraph addresses its actual issue. In your next session, revise one paragraph and compare the two versions. The aim is not a longer sequence of sentences but a clearer relationship between reason and conclusion. Use the comparison to choose one specific writing habit to practise again.
For your next session
- Choose a focused claim.
- Explain the causal link.
- Label invented examples honestly.
- Recheck relevance to the prompt.
A common question
Does every paragraph need exactly four sentences?
No. Sentence count is not a fixed rule. The argument needs enough relevant explanation to be clear and developed.
Sources and further reading
Check test-format information against the official sources below. Practice methods and examples in this guide are original suggestions.
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