Writing problem breakdown

What to do when Task 2 reasons are hard to find

All-purpose reasons can work once you reshape them to fit this prompt, so the examiner sees they answer it. A steadier route is to pull reasons from the prompt itself: who is affected, what it costs, and where it leads over time.

Fix one reason at a time so the next draft improves.

Common mistake

Turn memorised material into sentences that prove your point, so the paragraph argues.

Check the example

Does this example directly prove the sentence before it? Swap in one that does.

What to confirm before writing

Write the reason first, then pick a concrete scene that shows it.

What to revise in the next version

Swap one vague example for a concrete scene, then add one sentence on why it supports your point.

The reason explains the point
The example is specific
The last sentence returns to the point

Three ways to find reasons in the prompt

Sample prompt: Governments should spend more on public transport. Do you agree? Each tip shows the reason sentence only.

Change the person: what does this mean for individuals, families and the government? Pick the one you can make specific. Example: A bigger bus budget lets low-income workers reach jobs across the city on one cheap fare.
Ask about the cost: what money, time or chances does it take? The cost itself is a reason. Example: Every extra yuan for buses is a yuan taken from road repairs, so the city has to choose which trips matter most.
Look at time: where the short-term and long-term results differ is often the easiest reason to write. Example: New bus lines cost a lot in their first year, but they cut traffic jams for decades.

How to use all-purpose reasons

Keep a short list of reason directions: economy, health, efficiency, fairness. A direction is a starting point; the sentence you finally write should name the specific people or things in the prompt.

How to practise in Fogport

In the first Council level, "Only six budget slots", you make a choice in a concrete public decision, then write a few sentences on why. The reader's reply says what they understood, and you revise once more. Reasons that grow from your own choice fit the prompt better than memorised ones.

FAQ

Can I use all-purpose reasons in IELTS Writing?

Yes. Turn directions like economy, health, efficiency or fairness into a sentence that names the prompt’s people or things, so the examiner sees it answers this question.

Where do I start when looking for reasons?

Change the person: what does this mean for individuals, families and the government? Pick the one you can make specific.

How do I choose an example?

Pick a concrete scene that directly proves the sentence before it, then add one sentence on why it supports your point.

Guides