Level B2 (approx. band 5.5-6.5) · Academic and General Training Many candidates read a Task 2 question once and start writing straight away. Twenty minutes later they realise they are answering a slightly different question. If an essay misses part of the task, the Task Response score falls, however fluent it is. In this episode: • What task 2 asks of you • Three layers: topic, focus, instruction • Five instructions you will meet • The five-minute plan template • Model • Language bridge • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key points: • about 40 minutes, at least 250 words, connected prose, and Task 2 carries double the weight of Task 1. • mark the topic, the focus and the instruction separately before you plan. • name the essay type before you plan, because the type decides the shape. • five minutes of planning saves you from confused writing later. IELTS Complete Course: a self-study podcast from A1 to C2 for Academic and General Training. Listen, pause and answer, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair. Independent course, not affiliated with the IELTS test owners.