Do I need a conclusion in IELTS Writing Task 2?

Yes. A conclusion is required. An essay without a conclusion is incomplete and will be penalised under Task Achievement and Coherence and Cohesion. Even a brief two-sentence conclusion that restates your main points in new words is sufficient for Band 7. Leaving an essay open-ended signals poor time management and incomplete argument.

Can I introduce new ideas in the conclusion?

No. Introducing new arguments, examples, or evidence in the conclusion is one of the most commonly penalised errors in IELTS writing. Examiners explicitly look for conclusions that restate and summarise - not develop new points. If you find yourself wanting to add a new idea in the conclusion, you either forgot to include it in a body paragraph or the idea does not belong in the essay at all.

Can I change my opinion in the conclusion?

No. Your conclusion must be consistent with the position you stated in your introduction. Changing your opinion in the conclusion confuses the examiner about your actual stance and directly penalises your Task Achievement score. If you stated in the introduction that you strongly agree, your conclusion must restate agreement.

What is the difference between a good and bad conclusion?

A good conclusion: restates your position and the two main reasons in new vocabulary, is consistent with your introduction, takes 35 to 50 words, and ends with a definitive statement. A bad conclusion: introduces new arguments, repeats word-for-word from the introduction or body, is vague or hedging about the position, or contains new evidence or examples.

Should I use 'In conclusion' to start my conclusion?

Using 'In conclusion' is acceptable but not required. It is a functional phrase that signals the essay is ending. What matters is that your concluding paragraph contains a genuine restatement of your arguments, not that it starts with a specific phrase. Alternatives include 'To summarise', 'On balance', and 'In summary'. Avoid starting with 'Finally' - this signals a third body point, not a conclusion.

Writing11 min read·Updated June 5, 2026

How to Write an IELTS Writing Task 2 Conclusion (With Band 8 Examples)

A weak conclusion can drop your Task Achievement and Coherence scores even when the rest of your essay is strong. This guide covers what to include, what to avoid, band-scored examples for all five question types, and the exact word count to target.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 conclusion guide with band 5 vs band 8 comparison examples for all five essay types

Written by mockDe Editorial Team· IELTS preparation specialists

Last Updated June 5, 2026

11 min read

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Writing guide series

IELTS Writing Practice

The conclusion is not an afterthought. It is the final impression the examiner takes away.
A strong conclusion in 40 words is worth more than a weak 100-word attempt. This guide shows exactly what to write - and what to cut.

IELTS Writing Task 2 series. Introduction Guide · Essay Templates · Vocabulary Guide

Key Takeaways

A conclusion must be present - a missing conclusion penalises both Task Achievement and Coherence.
Write 2 to 3 sentences maximum. Aim for 35 to 50 words.
Restate your position and two main points in new vocabulary - do not copy from the introduction or body.
Never introduce new arguments, examples, or evidence in the conclusion.
End with a clear, definitive statement - not a question or a vague 'it depends'.

What is the purpose of an IELTS Writing Task 2 conclusion?

The conclusion serves three functions in IELTS Writing Task 2. First, it satisfies Task Achievement by demonstrating you have completed your argument. An essay without a conclusion reads as unfinished. Second, it contributes to Coherence and Cohesion by showing the reader the argument has resolved logically. Third, it gives you a final opportunity to display vocabulary range through paraphrase of your main points. A well-written 40-word conclusion that accurately restates your position with fresh vocabulary can marginally lift both your Lexical Resource and Coherence scores.

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The Purpose of an IELTS Conclusion

The conclusion does not add new information. It wraps up what you have already argued. Think of it as the answer to the question: "So what did you conclude?" after reading your essay. It should leave the examiner with a clear sense of what you argued and what your final position is.

A conclusion DOES...

+Restate your position in new words
+Summarise both main arguments from body paragraphs
+End with a clear, decisive statement
+Use paraphrased vocabulary from the body

A conclusion DOES NOT...

-Introduce new arguments or evidence
-Change your position from the introduction
-End with a question or 'it depends'
-Copy sentences word-for-word from earlier paragraphs

What to Include in Your Conclusion

Restatement of your position (agree/disagree and discuss-both essays)

Use different vocabulary to say what you said in your introduction thesis. If you agreed, restate agreement with specific reference to what convinced you.

Summary of your two main arguments

One phrase per body paragraph argument is sufficient. You do not need to re-explain them - just name them with precise vocabulary.

A final decisive statement

End with a sentence that sounds final. Recommendations ('Governments must...'), predictions ('Without intervention, this trend will intensify'), or a clear summary judgement all work.

Conclusion Examples for Each Question Type

Agree / Disagree

Restate your position and the two main reasons you argued. Maintain a consistent, committed stance.

Band 5

In conclusion, I agree that fast food should be taxed because it is unhealthy and causes problems for healthcare. People should eat better food.

Band 8

In conclusion, I maintain that a sugar and fat tax on processed food products is a justified public health measure. The substantial burden fast food places on national health systems, combined with the clear evidence that price sensitivity alters consumption behaviour among lower-income groups, outweighs concerns about government overreach.

Analysis: Band 8 conclusion restates position with new vocabulary, references both arguments from body paragraphs, and closes with a decisive statement.

Discuss Both Views

Briefly acknowledge the view you examined first, then restate the view you ultimately support and why.

Band 5

In conclusion, there are two sides to this debate. Technology can be good and bad. I think it depends on how you use it.

Band 8

To summarise, while the argument that technology complicates life reflects the reality of information overload and digital dependency, I find the counterargument more convincing. When used with deliberate intention, digital tools demonstrably reduce friction in areas such as communication, commerce, and access to knowledge, delivering a net simplification of daily life.

Analysis: Band 8 restates both views, maintains the clearly stated position from the introduction, and avoids vague 'depends on' hedging.

Advantages and Disadvantages

State which side outweighs the other (if asked), reference both the advantage and disadvantage you discussed, and close with a clear overall judgement.

Band 5

In conclusion, there are advantages and disadvantages of elderly care homes. I think it is good but also bad. It depends on the family situation.

Band 8

On balance, the benefits of professional residential care for elderly individuals - consistent medical supervision, structured social engagement, and specialist dementia support - outweigh the emotional costs of reduced family proximity. Provided care standards are regulated and maintained, this shift reflects a pragmatic societal adaptation rather than a failure of family values.

Analysis: Band 8 states a clear outweighs judgement, references both arguments from the body, and adds a qualifying condition that shows nuanced thinking.

Problem and Solution

Restate the problems identified and the solutions proposed. End with a clear recommendation about who must act.

Band 5

In conclusion, traffic is a serious problem. The solutions are building more roads and using public transport. Governments should solve this problem.

Band 8

In conclusion, urban traffic congestion stems primarily from inadequate public transport infrastructure and the unchecked growth of private vehicle ownership. Targeted investment in metro and bus networks, combined with congestion pricing in city centres, represents the most evidence-backed route to alleviating this pressure. The political will to implement these measures rests squarely with municipal and national governments.

Analysis: Band 8 conclusion identifies specific causes, specific solutions, and assigns responsibility clearly. No new ideas introduced.

Direct Question

Restate your answer to Question 1 and your answer to Question 2 in new words. Both must be addressed.

Band 5

In conclusion, young people move to cities for jobs and better life. This causes problems for villages like no workers and old people only.

Band 8

In conclusion, economic opportunity and access to higher education remain the dominant forces driving young people towards urban centres. The consequences for rural communities - a contracting labour supply, accelerating population ageing, and declining local services - threaten the long-term viability of small towns and villages without coordinated regional investment strategies.

Analysis: Both questions answered clearly. New vocabulary used throughout. Specific consequences named rather than vague 'problems'.

Conclusion Starter Phrases

Phrase	Best for
In conclusion,	All types - the most reliable opener
To summarise,	Discuss both views / advantages-disadvantages
On balance,	Advantages-disadvantages / discuss both views
In summary,	Problem-solution / direct question
Overall, it is clear that	Opinion essays where you want to restate position forcefully

How Long Should the Conclusion Be?

Two to three sentences, targeting 35 to 50 words. This is sufficient for Band 7 and above.

Under 30 words

Too brief

35 to 50 words

Optimal

Over 80 words

Too long - wastes body paragraph space

If you find yourself writing 100+ word conclusions, you are re-arguing body paragraph points rather than summarising them. Cut everything that is not a direct restatement.

4 Conclusion Mistakes to Fix Today

Introducing new arguments or evidence

Fix: Read your conclusion and ask: is every idea in this conclusion already argued in a body paragraph? If not, delete it. If it is important enough to be in the conclusion, it should have been in a body paragraph.

Repeating body paragraph sentences word for word

Fix: Paraphrase your main arguments using different vocabulary and sentence structures. The conclusion should feel like a synthesis, not a copy-paste. This is another opportunity to show your lexical range.

Ending with a question or vague statement

Fix: Never end your IELTS essay with a rhetorical question. It signals you are unresolved. End with a definitive statement: a clear recommendation, a prediction, or a final judgement that wraps the essay up cleanly.

Writing a conclusion that contradicts the introduction

Fix: Before writing the conclusion, re-read your introduction thesis sentence. Your conclusion must restate the same position. If you agreed in the introduction, you must agree in the conclusion. Inconsistency is one of the clearest Task Achievement penalties.

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