Writing Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions
Defend your choice with a highly structured, persuasive 150-200 word argument.
What They Test
Understanding the assessment criteria helps you deliver exactly what examiners are looking for.
Persuasive Argumentation
Your ability to take a firm stance and defend it with highly logical, deep reasoning. You cannot just list reasons; you must explain 'why'.
Vocabulary Range
This task usually deals with civic, workplace, or societal issues. Examiners look for advanced, topic-specific vocabulary (e.g., 'infrastructure', 'productivity', 'well-being').
Transitional Cohesion
Using advanced discourse markers to connect your paragraphs seamlessly. Words like 'Consequently', 'Moreover', and 'Nevertheless' score highly here.
Concession
Acknowledging why the *other* option might seem good, before ruthlessly dismantling it to prove your option is still superior.
Template Phrases
Ready-to-use expressions that help your answer sound natural, organized, and easy to follow.
Stating Your Preference
- •"While both options have their merits, I strongly support..."
- •"In my opinion, the city would benefit much more from..."
- •"I am writing to express my strong preference for..."
Introducing Arguments
- •"First and foremost, the primary advantage is..."
- •"Another significant benefit to consider is..."
- •"Furthermore, if we implement this option..."
Making a Concession
- •"I understand that some people might prefer the other option because..."
- •"While it is true that option B has certain advantages..."
- •"Despite the obvious appeal of the alternative..."
Concluding
- •"In conclusion, for the reasons outlined above, I firmly believe..."
- •"Ultimately, choosing this option is in everyone's best interest."
- •"Thank you for taking my opinion into consideration."
Sample Answer (Example)
See how a high-scoring response sounds with clear structure and practical supporting details.
Your city is deciding what to do with a large empty lot of land downtown. Option A: Build a massive shopping mall. Option B: Build a public park with trees and playgrounds. Write 150-200 words explaining your choice.
High-scoring Response
"While both proposals have merit, I strongly support the initiative to build a public park in the downtown lot rather than constructing another shopping mall."
"First and foremost, a public park would significantly improve the physical and mental well-being of the city's residents. Downtown areas are notoriously concrete-heavy and polluted. Introducing green spaces and trees would not only improve air quality but also give families a safe, free place to exercise and socialize outdoors."
"I understand that many people prefer the shopping mall because it would theoretically create retail jobs and generate tax revenue. However, our city already has three massive shopping centers that are struggling to fill their vacant storefronts. Building a fourth mall would just cannibalize existing businesses."
"Ultimately, a park is a permanent investment in the community's quality of life, whereas a mall is just a short-term commercial venture. For these reasons, I firmly believe the city should prioritize green infrastructure. Thank you for considering my input."
Why This Response Scores High:
- Flawless 4-paragraph structure exactly meeting the word count (approx. 180 words).
- Includes a brilliant 'Concession' paragraph (acknowledging the jobs/tax revenue of the mall) and instantly dismantling it with logic (vacant storefronts).
- Uses rich, advanced civic vocabulary ('initiative', 'mental well-being', 'cannibalize existing businesses', 'green infrastructure').
- Strong transitional flow ('First and foremost', 'However', 'Ultimately').
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learn from these frequent errors that lower scores on this task.
Mistake 1: Fence-Sitting (Not Picking a Side)
Writing half your essay about why Option A is good, and the other half about why Option B is good. You MUST pick one and defend it.
"I like the park because it is green. But I also like the mall because I like shopping."
"While the mall offers commercial benefits, the park is undeniably the superior choice for our community."
Mistake 2: Formatting it like an Email
This is a survey response, not an email to a manager. You do not need 'Dear Sir' or 'Sincerely, John Doe'.
Start directly with your opinion: 'I am writing to express my support for Option A.' End with a simple: 'Thank you for your time.'
Mistake 3: Shallow Reasoning
Saying 'The park is good because parks are nice.' You must dig deeper into the societal or economic impact.
Mistake 4: Ignoring the Word Count
Writing 350 words. The examiner will stop reading, and your score will plummet due to the increased rate of grammatical errors.
Write 4 paragraphs. Intro (30 words), Body 1 (60 words), Body 2 (60 words), Conclusion (30 words).
Mini Quiz
Test your understanding of Writing Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions with these quick questions.
1. Should you format Writing Task 2 like a formal letter?
2. What is the best way to handle the option you DID NOT choose?
3. What happens if you write 250 words?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a 'right' answer?
No. Option A and Option B are designed to be equally defendable. Pick the one that is easiest for you to think of vocabulary for. If you know more words related to 'nature', pick the park. If you know more words related to 'economics', pick the mall.
How much time should I spend planning?
Take 3 to 4 minutes to plan. Read the prompt, pick your side, and quickly type out two bullet points for your arguments. Then spend 18 minutes writing, and 4 minutes proofreading.
Can I use 'I' in my response?
Yes. Since you are stating your personal preference on a survey, phrases like 'In my opinion' and 'I strongly believe' are perfectly appropriate.
What if I make a spelling mistake?
A few minor spelling mistakes won't ruin a CLB 9 score if your sentence structure and vocabulary are otherwise highly advanced. Just use the built-in spell checker to catch the obvious ones.
Choose another task template
Jump between all 2 CELPIP Writing templates and review the structure for each task.