PremiumBlogNewsFAQ
Limited-Time Offer, this week only — Download the App

What if I run out of time in Task 2?

Nov 5, 2026
Short answer

Stop and write the conclusion in two sentences, even mid-paragraph, because an essay without a conclusion loses marks on both Task Response and coherence. Then check the last thing you wrote, not the first, because the final paragraph is the one with the least attention and the most errors.

Stop and write the conclusion in two sentences, even mid-paragraph, because an essay without a conclusion loses marks on both Task Response and coherence. Then check the last thing you wrote, not the first, because the final paragraph is the one with the least attention and the most errors.

Write the two-sentence conclusion immediately, even if the last body paragraph is unfinished, then check the final paragraph for errors. An essay with a conclusion scores better than a polished opening and no ending.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Under the Clock: A Forty-Minute Plan →

Was this answer helpful?

Related questions

Does reusing a story sound memorised to the examiner?Can one Part 2 story fit two different cue cards?What do I write if I miss an answer completely?Should I guess when I miss an IELTS Listening answer?
App StoreGoogle Play