How to Write an IELTS Task 2 Conclusion That Scores Well
Learn exactly what examiners look for in an IELTS Task 2 conclusion and how to write one that reinforces your band score.
Most IELTS candidates spend 90% of their preparation time on body paragraphs and almost none on the conclusion — yet a weak conclusion signals to the examiner that your essay lacks coherence and a clear position. A strong conclusion does not need to be long or complex, but it must do specific things to satisfy the band descriptors for Task Achievement and Coherence & Cohesion.
What Examiners Actually Look for in a Conclusion
The IELTS band descriptors do not use the word 'conclusion' explicitly, but they reward essays that present 'a clear central topic and position throughout' and demonstrate 'logical sequencing.' Your conclusion is the final proof that you have maintained a consistent argument. Examiners are specifically checking that your concluding position matches the stance you took in your introduction — any contradiction or vagueness here will drag down your Task Achievement score.
- Restates your overall position without copying the introduction word-for-word
- Synthesises the main reasons from your body paragraphs (does not introduce new ideas)
- Uses a confident, definitive tone — no hedging phrases like 'I am not totally sure but...'
- Is 2–4 sentences long — concise but complete
The Two-Sentence Minimum Structure
A reliable conclusion for Band 6.5–7.5 uses at least two distinct moves: a restatement of position and a synthesis of reasons. A third optional sentence can offer a qualified outlook or recommendation, which demonstrates the kind of 'extended response' quality rewarded at Band 7 and above.
- 1Sentence 1 — Signal + Restated Position: Use a conclusion marker ('Overall,' 'To summarise,' 'In summary,') followed by your paraphrased stance.
- 2Sentence 2 — Synthesised Reasoning: Link your two main arguments together using a connector such as 'both... and...' or 'not only... but also...' to show how they support the position.
- 3Sentence 3 (optional) — Forward-Looking Statement: Add a condition, recommendation, or prediction that grows naturally from your argument, such as 'Unless governments act decisively, this trend will only accelerate.'
Tip
Paraphrase, do not copy. Change at least 70% of the vocabulary from your introduction when restating your position. Examiners notice copied sentences immediately, and verbatim repetition is not credited for Lexical Resource.
Band 5 vs Band 7+ Conclusions: Real Examples
The essay question below is used for both examples: 'Some people think that governments should ban dangerous sports. To what extent do you agree or disagree?' Notice how the weak conclusion undermines the whole essay, while the strong version reinforces coherence and lexical sophistication.
✗ Band 5
In conclusion, I think dangerous sports are bad and the government should maybe ban them because people can get hurt. This is my opinion.
✓ Band 7+
Overall, governments should regulate rather than prohibit dangerous sports, since appropriate safety legislation both protects participants and preserves individual freedom. Without such a balanced approach, blanket bans risk driving these activities underground, where oversight becomes impossible.
The Band 5 example introduces no new reasoning but still feels vague because it hedges ('maybe') and repeats basic vocabulary ('bad,' 'hurt'). The Band 7+ example paraphrases the central argument ('regulate rather than prohibit'), synthesises two themes from hypothetical body paragraphs (safety and freedom), and adds a forward-looking consequence in the final clause.
Vocabulary and Cohesive Devices That Signal Sophistication
Choosing the right conclusion signal phrase matters more than most candidates realise. Overusing 'In conclusion' is not penalised, but it is a missed opportunity to demonstrate range. Below is a comparison of weak and strong options.
| Weak / Overused | Stronger Alternative | Best Used When |
|---|---|---|
| In conclusion, | Overall, | Any essay type — clean and direct |
| To conclude, | To summarise, | When you are genuinely condensing multiple points |
| In my opinion finally, | Ultimately, I contend that | Opinion essays requiring a definitive stance |
| As I said above, | As the arguments above demonstrate, | When pointing back to body paragraph evidence |
| I think that maybe | The evidence strongly suggests that | When you want confident, academic tone |
Watch out
Never introduce a new argument, statistic, or example in your conclusion. This is one of the most common mistakes at Band 5–6 level and directly contradicts the coherence requirement. If a point is important enough to include, it belongs in a body paragraph.
Adjusting Your Conclusion for Different Task 2 Question Types
The core two-sentence structure works across all Task 2 types, but the tone and content of your restated position must match the question format precisely.
| Question Type | What Your Conclusion Must Include | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| Opinion (Agree/Disagree) | A clear, unambiguous final position — fully agree, fully disagree, or a defended partial stance | Definitive and confident |
| Discussion (Discuss both views) | A statement of which view you find more persuasive, even if you acknowledged both | Balanced but decisive |
| Problem/Solution | A summary of the core problem and the most impactful solution you argued for | Prescriptive and direct |
| Two-part question | A brief answer to both sub-questions, demonstrating you addressed the full task | Comprehensive but concise |
| Advantages/Disadvantages | A clear statement of whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages or vice versa | Evaluative and conclusive |
Tip
Before writing your conclusion, re-read your introduction. Your final position statement must not contradict your opening stance. A mismatched conclusion is one of the fastest ways to lose Task Achievement marks at Band 7.
A Practical Writing Routine for Your Conclusion
Leave yourself a minimum of 3 minutes at the end of your Task 2 time specifically for the conclusion. Many candidates rush this section or skip it entirely when they run short on time — a missing conclusion almost guarantees a Task Achievement ceiling of Band 5. Use the final 60 seconds to check that your conclusion does not copy language from the introduction, does not introduce new ideas, and clearly resolves the position you opened with.
- 1Write your signal phrase and restated position (aim to change the vocabulary from your introduction)
- 2Write one sentence that combines your two main body paragraph arguments using a linking structure
- 3Add an optional forward-looking or conditional sentence if time and word count allow
- 4Read back through and delete any new examples, statistics, or arguments you may have unconsciously added
A conclusion does not rescue a weak essay, but a sharp, well-structured conclusion reinforces every strong point you made in your body paragraphs. Treat it as the final signal to the examiner that you are in control of your argument from the first word to the last.
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