Why Task 2 trips up more candidates than Task 1
CELPIP Writing Task 2 gives you a question like "Some people believe it is better to live in the city. Others prefer the countryside. Which do you prefer and why?" You have 26 minutes to write a response of approximately 150–200 words.
The most common failure: candidates try to do too much. They argue both sides, change their position mid-essay, or write four paragraphs when the task rewards three focused ones. The scoring criteria reward clarity and coherence over length.
The 3-paragraph structure
This structure consistently hits all four Task 2 scoring criteria — Task Achievement, Vocabulary Range, Grammar Accuracy, and Coherence.
Paragraph 1 — State your position clearly (2–3 sentences)
Open with a clear, direct statement of your opinion. Do not hedge. Do not say "I think both sides have merit." Pick one side and commit to it.
Template: "In my opinion, [position]. I believe this because [brief reason 1] and [brief reason 2]. This essay will outline why [position] is the stronger choice."
Example: "In my opinion, living in the city is the better choice for most people. I believe this because cities offer greater career opportunities and access to services. This essay will outline why urban living leads to a better quality of life."
Paragraph 2 — Your strongest argument with a specific example (4–5 sentences)
This is the heart of your essay. State your main argument, then support it with a specific and concrete example — not a generic one.
Weak: "Cities have more jobs." Strong: "Cities concentrate employment in sectors such as technology, finance, and healthcare, which means a professional can access multiple career opportunities within commuting distance. A friend of mine who relocated from a rural town to Toronto found her salary increased by 40% within two years due to the wider job market."
The specific example is what separates CLB 7 responses from CLB 6 ones.
Paragraph 3 — Secondary argument and conclusion (3–4 sentences)
Introduce one more supporting point, then end with a conclusion sentence that restates your position. Do not introduce a new argument in the conclusion — just reinforce.
Template: "Furthermore, [secondary point with brief detail]. For these reasons, I firmly believe that [restate position]."
What makes this structure score CLB 7
| Criterion | How this structure satisfies it |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement | Clear position stated upfront, both paragraphs address the question directly |
| Vocabulary Range | One paragraph per idea gives space for varied word choice |
| Grammar Accuracy | Short focused paragraphs reduce complex sentence errors |
| Coherence | Three-paragraph flow is predictable and easy for examiners to follow |
Common mistakes that drop scores below CLB 7
Changing position mid-essay: If you start with "I prefer city life" and then write "however, rural life is also beneficial" without a clear conclusion, examiners mark this as Task Achievement failure.
Writing more than three paragraphs without adding value: A fourth paragraph that simply repeats paragraph two in different words does not raise your score.
Generic examples: "Many people around the world…" adds no specificity. Use a personal experience, a named place, or a real scenario.
Practice this
Submit a Task 2 response and see your CLB score broken down by all four criteria, with specific feedback on your argument structure.
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