Ayesha from Hyderabad finished her essay with “In a nutshell, every coin has two sides” after spending three paragraphs arguing strongly in favour of a single viewpoint. Her examiner was left uncertain about her true stance.

An effective IELTS Task 2 conclusion needs only one or two sentences (30 to 45 words). Restate your overall position using fresh words and summarise your key arguments, introducing no new points or sudden compromises.

Practice question: Some people believe that the government should spend more money on public parks and sports centres, while others think this money should be spent on healthcare. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

The 2-Sentence Conclusion Formula

A conclusion does not need to be elaborate; its main job is confirming that your position remains clear to the end.

A dependable conclusion uses a two-sentence formula:

  1. Sentence 1 (Restate position): Paraphrase your thesis statement using fresh vocabulary.
  2. Sentence 2 (Summarise reasons): Recap the central supporting points from your body paragraphs.

An optional recommendation or prediction is acceptable if it follows naturally from what you proved. Your conclusion should echo the position in your introduction; see how to write an introduction.

Model conclusion (Band 7+)

In conclusion, although green spaces and sports facilities encourage healthy, active lifestyles, I believe that health services should receive priority in government spending. Essential treatments cannot be postponed, whereas fitness can be encouraged through lower-cost community programmes.

Why It Works

  • Task Response: Answers the question directly with a clear personal position instead of vague neutrality.
  • Coherence and Cohesion: Opens with “In conclusion” and uses a short concession clause (“although…”) without losing the position.
  • Lexical Resource: Paraphrases the question: “green spaces and sports facilities” for “public parks and sports centres”, “health services” for “healthcare”.

Conclusions for Other Essay Types

The same two-sentence formula adapts to other essay types. The model above answers a “discuss both views” question.

Opinion Essay

Correct: In conclusion, I firmly agree that secondary schools should make community service compulsory for all pupils. Practical volunteering builds civic empathy and teamwork skills that classroom subjects do not always provide.

Problem–Solution Essay

Correct: To conclude, urban traffic congestion stems mainly from insufficient public transport and rapid growth in car ownership. Subsidising metro fares and introducing congestion charges in central commercial zones are the most promising long-term remedies.

For balanced discussions, see our guide on discuss both views essays.

Safe Signposts Versus Memorised Clichés

Begin your final paragraph with a standard, recognised signpost:

  • “In conclusion,”
  • “To conclude,”
  • “Overall,”

Avoid informal phrases like “In a nutshell” and filler like “To conclude, I would like to say that”. Examiners are trained to spot memorised language, and the band descriptors list inappropriate formulaic language as a weakness. For more expressions to cut, see Indianisms and clichés.

What to Do When Running Out of Time

If only two minutes remain, write a single sentence restating your main position and one reason.

A conclusion is strongly advised: without one, your position can feel unfinished. One clear sentence completes your structure and preserves a clear position throughout.

Common Conclusion Mistakes to Fix

Incorrect: In a nutshell, every coin has two sides and both views are correct.

Correct: In conclusion, although parks support healthy lifestyles, I believe healthcare should receive priority because urgent treatments address life-threatening conditions.

A conclusion should confirm your specific position rather than retreat into memorised neutrality.

Incorrect: In conclusion, public healthcare deserves urgent funding. Furthermore, private insurance companies should be banned from charging excessive premiums.

Correct: In conclusion, while community sports centres foster wellness, healthcare deserves priority because public hospitals preserve lives during severe medical crises.

Only summarise points already made in your body paragraphs; a new argument at the end has no support.

Tip

Keep your conclusion short enough to write in one minute: restate your position, then name your two reasons.

Try It

Task: Using this introduction thesis: “I believe that working from home benefits both employees and companies, provided that teams meet in person regularly”, write a 30–45-word conclusion restating this position and summarising the reasons.

Show sample answer

In conclusion, remote work offers clear advantages by eliminating daily commutes and reducing corporate office expenses. However, scheduling regular in-person meetings remains necessary to sustain team cohesion and maintain effective workplace communication.

Key Takeaways

  • Limit your conclusion to one or two sentences and 30 to 45 words.
  • Restate your overall position using fresh vocabulary.
  • Summarise your main body arguments without adding new ideas.
  • Write at least one sentence of conclusion, even when short of time.

The bottom line: A good conclusion restates your position in fresh words and sums up your reasons, without opening a new debate.