Write & Shine: Using Examples in Task 2

A common reason students get stuck at Band 6 in Writing is that their ideas are too general. They make broad statements but don't back them up.

To get a Band 7+, you need to extend and support your ideas. The easiest way to do this is with examples. Examples make your writing concrete, persuasive, and clear.

1. Where do examples come from?

You don't need to memorize statistics from the New York Times. You can use:

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  General Knowledge: "For example, many European countries offer free university education."
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  Personal Experience (Generalised): "For instance, working from home allows parents to spend more time with their children." (Don't say "My uncle Bob works from home...").
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  Hypothetical Scenarios: "For example, if the government raised taxes on sugar, consumption would likely decrease."

2. The P.E.E. Structure

Use this structure for your body paragraphs:

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  Point: State your main idea.

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    Remote work is beneficial.
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  Explain: Why is it true?

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    It reduces commuting time, which lowers stress.
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  Example: Give evidence.

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    For instance, a recent study showed that employees who work from home are 20% more productive.

3. Useful Phrases for Introducing Examples

Don't just use "For example" every time. Vary your vocabulary.

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  "For instance..."
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  "To illustrate..."
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  "A clear example of this is..."
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  "Take... as an example."
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  "One notable instance is..."

4. The "Fake Study" Trick?

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  Student Question: "Can I invent a fake statistic?" (e.g., "A Harvard study says 99% of people...")
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  Answer: Technically, IELTS examiners don't fact-check. However, it is risky. If it sounds fake or ridiculous, it weakens your argument. It is better to say "Research has shown..." or "It is widely observed that..." rather than inventing specific numbers.

Conclusion

Examples are the bridge between your abstract ideas and the real world. They show the examiner you understand the topic deeply. Aim for one strong example in each body paragraph to make your writing shine.

Check out our other IELTS resources and practice tests to help you achieve your target band score!