Lesson 13, Task 2: Choosing & Structuring

~26 minutes · 150–200 words · target 180

What Task 2 actually is

You’re shown a short scenario, usually something a community, employer, or city is considering, followed by two options. You choose one and write a response explaining and defending your choice.

It is not a free-form opinion essay. That misunderstanding costs marks, because a general “here are my thoughts on this topic” answer doesn’t do the thing the task asks: choose, and defend the choice.

Typical question shape: Your local council is deciding how to use a vacant lot in your neighborhood. Option A: build a small public park. Option B: build a parking area. Choose the option you prefer and explain your reasons.

If you’ve done our Speaking course, you already own this

Task 2 is the written twin of Speaking Task 5. Both give you two options, both require you to pick one, and both are scored on how well you argue it against the other one: not on praising your choice in isolation.

The same three-step move transfers directly:

Acknowledge the other option’s appeal → counter it → compare yours on the same dimension

The only difference is that writing gives you far more room to develop each move, and you can edit.

Choose the arguable option, not the one you prefer

There are no marks for choosing “correctly.” There is no correct option. You are scored entirely on the quality of your argument.

So during planning, don’t ask “which would I genuinely pick?” Ask:

“Which one can I write four solid points about in the next twenty minutes?”

If Option A is objectively better but you can immediately see two sharp criticisms of Option B, take B. Your real opinion is irrelevant to the rater.

Decide within 60 seconds. Time spent agonising over the choice is time stolen from the argument.

The CASE structure

Total ≈ 175 words.

Body 1 and Body 2 both need two points

This is the structural requirement most candidates miss. Each body carries two developed points, not one:

• Body 1: two reasons your option is good
• Body 2: two reasons the other option is worse

Four points total. That’s what fills 180 words with actual argument rather than padding.

Two structures, and when to use the second one

Structure A, both sides (ceiling ~12)

Body 1 supports your choice; Body 2 dismantles the alternative. This is the default, and it has the higher ceiling because it demonstrates comparison and range.

Structure B, one side only (ceiling ~11)

Both bodies support your choice; you never discuss the alternative.

Use Structure B when you genuinely can’t argue about the other option: you don’t understand it, you can’t think of anything to criticize, or the topic is unfamiliar. It’s a strategic fallback, not a failure. A clean Structure B response beats a Structure A response where Body 2 is vague or wrong.

The honest trade-off: Structure A demonstrates comparison, which is what lifts you into the top bands. Structure B is safer and still scores well. Default to A; switch to B if you’re stuck after 60 seconds of planning.

The coherence loop, the detail raters notice

This is the highest-value structural habit in Task 2, and it’s easy to get right once you know about it.

Whatever reason you name in your introduction must be what Body 1 develops. Whatever you name in your conclusion must be what Body 2 covered.

The essay must close its own loop.

Worked example:

Intro: ”…I believe a public park is the better choice, primarily because of its long-term value to residents.” Body 1: develops long-term value to residents - health, community, children. Body 2: dismantles the parking option, encourages more traffic, benefits fewer people. Conclusion: “…a park remains the wiser investment, particularly given how few residents a parking area would actually serve.”

The conclusion picks up Body 2’s theme rather than repeating Body 1’s. The whole piece hangs together, and it takes no extra words.

The failure mode: an introduction that promises one reason, bodies that argue two different ones, and a conclusion that mentions a fourth. Everything is individually fine and the response reads as disorganised.

State your position twice

In the first sentence, and again in the last. Non-negotiable.

Hedging destroys Content/Coherence. Pick a side in sentence one and never wobble.

Your planning routine, 4 minutes

1. Read both options. (~30 sec)
2. Choose the arguable one. (~30 sec, no longer)
3. Two points supporting it. (~60 sec)
4. Two points against the other. (~60 sec), if you’re stuck here, switch to Structure B and find two more supporting points instead
5. Note your intro reason and conclusion reason so the loop closes. (~30 sec)

Four minutes, no sentences written, and the response is fully determined.

Worked plan

Question: Your workplace is considering a change to working arrangements. Option A: allow staff to work from home two days a week. Option B: keep everyone in the office but reduce hours slightly on Fridays. Choose one and explain your reasons.

Grade your own plan

• I chose the option I can argue best, not the one I prefer
• The choice took under 60 seconds
• I have two points for Body 1
• I have two points for Body 2 (or switched to Structure B deliberately)
• My intro reason is what Body 1 develops
• My conclusion reason is what Body 2 covered
• My position is unambiguous, no hedging anywhere
• The plan took under 5 minutes

All 8 = the writing will be straightforward.

Your practice

Open one set on Celpora and put today’s lesson to work.

Practice Task 2: Survey. 26 min · 150–200 words · AI feedback