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Write Essay is a long-answer task that tests your writing. You read an argumentative prompt and write a 200–300 word essay in 20 minutes. You are scored on Content, Form, Development/Structure/Coherence, Grammar, Vocabulary and Spelling — so a clear position, a tidy 4-paragraph structure, and accurate language all matter.
You will have 20 minutes to plan, write and revise an essay about the topic below. Your response will be judged on how well you develop a position, organize your ideas, present supporting details, and control the elements of standard written English. You should write 200–300 words.
You will have 20 minutes to plan, write and revise an essay about the topic below. Your response will be judged on how well you develop a position, organize your ideas, present supporting details, and control the elements of standard written English. You should write 200–300 words.
Some people think placing advertisements in schools is a great resource for public schools that need additional funding, but others think it exploits children by treating them as a captive audience for corporate sponsors.
Choose which position you most agree with and discuss why you chose that position. Support your point of view with details from your own experiences, observations or reading.
3 strategies that work
The mindset before the click.
- 1Strategy 1
Understand the prompt (topic + point of view)
Read carefully. Underline the TOPIC and circle the INSTRUCTION word (agree/disagree, discuss, advantages/disadvantages). Off-topic = zero.
- 2Strategy 2
Plan one strong argument → opening → closing
Write one sentence that sums up your main argument, then one opening line and one closing line. Expand each into a paragraph.
- 3Strategy 3
Check length, focus, grammar and spelling
Stay 200–300 words, keep the SAME point of view throughout, and re-read once for grammar and spelling slips.
Try each strategy
Guided practice you can do alone or with a partner.
1Understand the prompt (topic + point of view)
You only have 20 minutes — but writing off-topic scores ZERO, no matter how good the English is. Spend the first 30–60 seconds making sure you know exactly what the prompt is asking you to do.
- Underline the TOPIC keywords — what is the essay about? (e.g. 'placing advertisements in schools').
- Circle the INSTRUCTION keywords — what kind of essay is it? (agree/disagree, discuss, advantages vs disadvantages, describe, take one of two sides).
- Identify the POINT OF VIEW required — most PTE essays give you two opposing views; you must clearly choose ONE and defend it.
- Common prompt patterns: respond to a question · agree or disagree · take one of two sides · describe a situation · discuss advantages/disadvantages.
- Pair drill: underline the topic, circle the point-of-view words on the sample prompt, then say in one sentence: 'I am going to argue that …'.
2Plan one strong argument → opening → closing
Don't start typing immediately. Plan for 2–3 minutes. A short plan turns a panicked essay into a tidy 4-paragraph essay with a clear position. Use the classic structure: introduction → body 1 → body 2 → conclusion.
- Write ONE sentence that sums up your main argument (your thesis). Example: 'Controlled advertising in schools is a useful way to fund underfunded public schools.'
- Write ONE strong opening sentence (introduces the topic + your position) and ONE strong closing sentence (restates your position).
- Expand the main argument into the BODY: 2 paragraphs, each with one supporting point + one example or reason. The 1st body usually refutes the opposite view; the 2nd supports your own.
- Expand the opening sentence into the INTRODUCTION (1 sentence presenting the topic + 1 sentence stating your position).
- Expand the closing sentence into the CONCLUSION (1 sentence restating your position + 1 sentence with a final thought).
- Pair drill: in pairs, brainstorm onto one sheet under headings Introduction / Main body / Conclusion before writing a single full sentence.
3Check length, focus, grammar and spelling
Leave at least 2 minutes at the end to re-read. The scoring criteria reward correct length, a consistent point of view, good grammar and accurate spelling. Cut/Copy/Paste is available — use it to fix the order if a paragraph feels weak.
- Word count: 200–300 words. Below 200 or above 300 loses marks for Form — keep an eye on the on-screen counter.
- Topic focus: every paragraph should still be about the prompt topic. If you wandered off, cut the off-topic sentence.
- Point of view: did you keep the SAME side from intro to conclusion? Mixing sides loses marks for Development.
- Grammar: re-read once for subject–verb agreement, articles (a/the), prepositions, plurals and verb tenses.
- Spelling: check tricky words (advertisement, government, environment, knowledge, beneficial). Use Cut/Copy/Paste — never retype large chunks.
- Group drill: in groups of 4, swap essays and rank them weakest → strongest using length · topic focus · point of view · grammar/spelling as the four criteria.
Essay builders — phrases for a clean 4-paragraph essay
Use these openers and connectors to build a clear introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion. They keep your structure obvious to the scorer.
- Introduction — state position: "It is often argued that…" / "In my opinion,…" / "I firmly believe that…"
- Body 1 — present opposing view: "Some people argue that…" / "On the one hand,…" / "It is true that…"
- Body 1 — refute it: "However,…" / "Nevertheless,…" / "This view overlooks the fact that…"
- Body 2 — support your view: "On the other hand,…" / "Furthermore,…" / "Moreover,…" / "In addition,…"
- Give an example: "For instance,…" / "For example,…" / "A clear case of this is…" / "In my own experience,…"
- Conclusion — restate position: "In conclusion,…" / "To sum up,…" / "Overall, I believe that…"
Underline the topic, circle the point-of-view words, then plan your one-sentence main argument + opening + closing. Write your essay (200–300 words, 4 paragraphs). Reveal the B1 / B2 / C1 sample essays to compare structure, language and length.
Some people think placing advertisements in schools is a great resource for public schools that need additional funding, but others think it exploits children by treating them as a captive audience for corporate sponsors. Choose which position you most agree with and discuss why you chose that position. Support your point of view with details from your own experiences, observations or reading.
Reveal B1 / B2 / C1 sample essays + examiner notes
— B1 RESPONSE (≈204 words) — "In my opinion, placing advertisement is a good way for public schools to increase their funding for the additional needs. Though there are some bad affects in this method, yet I think it has more advantages and the school can carry out some actions to avoid the bad affects of this method… Schools can stop the advertisements wich will have bad impact on children from putting in the schools." Explanation: Minimally answers the question. Supporting points don't show a coherent, well-developed logic for the position. Plural-noun and preposition errors. Limited, imprecise vocabulary. Several spelling errors. — B2 RESPONSE (≈219 words) — "In my opinion, advertisemnts should not be placed in schools on the purpose of rasing fund… I remembered when I was in primariy school some advertisements of food were put in our school… In conclusion, schools are quiet and non-profitable organization where children got their education. Advertisment should be banned from the schools." Explanation: Answers the question and is well organised — clear introduction, body and conclusion. Personal experience used to support the main idea. Obvious grammar errors in complex sentences but meaning still clear. Imprecise vocabulary. Four spelling errors. — C1 RESPONSE (≈253 words, model) — "Whilst public schools are largely underfunded, advertisements in schools can often condition children to grow up with certain superficial values… Advertisements encourage consumerism, superficiality and can often condition a brain against independent thought… School can often be a very difficult and confusing time, as students are growing up and learning more about themselves. The fewer expectations placed on them (particularly from society; through advertisements), allows them to grow into more confident adults who are comfortable with themselves, can accept themselves and have the right values." Explanation: Position discussed in paragraph 1, supported in paragraph 2, summarised in the conclusion. Very good linguistic and vocabulary range; strong control of grammar. 1 spelling error.
Do it under time
Simulate the real test.
Press Start. You have 20 minutes inside the Pearson screen to plan, write and revise a 200–300 word essay. Use Cut/Copy/Paste to reorganise paragraphs. Reveal the three sample essays afterwards to compare and rank.
Reveal B1 / B2 / C1 sample essays + examiner notes (Q2)
— B1 RESPONSE (≈202 words) — "In my point of view, I am agree with the statement 'exploring outer space is important'. Nowdays, some people might not be consider about what would happen in the future. By exploring outer space, we could describe and detect the situation over there… We need to know others people in space. May be other far the outer space. We need to find. May ne they come here and make war." Explanation: Addresses the prompt by agreeing that exploring space is important, but details are under-developed and don't logically support the position. Obvious grammar errors, basic vocabulary, several spelling errors. — B2 RESPONSE (≈208 words) — "Nowadays you can travel without problems to the moon if you have enough money. In a few years it will be the same with other planets… As I know a planet similar to our Earth has already been found. Now there are doing some test about the ability to life there… To sum up, it is a good idea to examine space. There is hope, that something even better than Earth will be found." Explanation: Takes a position in favour of space exploration. Main ideas relate to the topic but ideas inside paragraphs are not organised and there is no introduction. Obvious grammar errors in complex sentences but meaning clear. Imprecise vocabulary. Several spelling errors. — C1 RESPONSE (≈297 words, model) — "I believe that space exploration has its advantages and its disadvantages. However, I feel that its disadvantages outweigh its advantages. Firstly, many people argue that the universe is so big and that it would be an awful waste of space if we were the only ones occupying it… Secondly, there is talk of us humans having so much to learn from the universe… All the money spent on the race could have been put to much better use i.e. preventing world poverty. I firmly believe that money spent on space could be spent on much more important research here on earth such as finding a cure for cancer… In conclusion there are still many things to do here on our beautiful planet." Explanation: Position is clear; supporting details are provided and explained. Logical structure. Minor grammar slips only. Good vocabulary range. No significant spelling errors.
You will have 20 minutes to plan, write and revise an essay about the topic below. Your response will be judged on how well you develop a position, organize your ideas, present supporting details, and control the elements of standard written English. You should write 200–300 words.
Some people believe that exploring outer space is important. Other people believe that space exploration is a waste of money.
Choose which position you most agree with and discuss why you chose that position. Support your point of view with details from your own experiences, observations or reading.
Compare & learn
Listen to sample answers and rank them.
Read all three sample responses. Try ranking them from weakest → strongest before reading the notes below each one.
In my point of view, I am agree with the statement "exploring outer space is important". Nowdays, some people might not be consider about what would happen in the future. By exploring outer space, we could describe and detect the situation over there. It's very important that we could see how far the outer space growth and the effect of global, instead of doing nothing by save our money indeed. We learn many thing in space and may be make another place. The moral thing about this case is different person has a different perspective to look after their future life. We need to spend money for our future and knowledges. Don't to spend the moni to war, break building and an kill. Spend the moni to explor and make plan for future. Also another enegy in space. We need to know others people in space. May be other far the outer space. We need to find. May ne they come here and make war. Exploring outer space is important to learn. May be we need space. There are more people, more building house every day. In the future we need other place to live. Space is other place if we know.
Q2 (≈202 words) — Position is stated but supporting details are under-developed and do not logically defend it. Basic vocabulary; many grammar and spelling errors. No clear paragraph structure.
Nowadays you can travel without problems to the moon if you have enough money. In a few years it will be the same with other planets. Regarding that the earth is in danger, scientologists pretend there are just a few years left, it is very important to look for alternatives. If there is a planet where human being is able to survive it should be found soon. Otherwise menhood will die out. As already mentioned, we actually have to be scared about the world going under. Based on experts it will come soon, nature will take its place back either by water or by erruptions/earth quakes. Thus, we really need an alternative.
As I know a planet similar to our Earth has already been found. Now there are doing some test about the ability to life there. I think in future travelling from Earth to Saturn will be like today travelling from Sydney to Melbourne. Thus, it is really important that they are goining on doing tests there.
To sum up, it is a good idea to examine space. There is hope, that something even better than Earth will be found.
Q2 (≈208 words) — Takes a clear position in favour of space exploration with relevant ideas, but no real introduction and ideas inside paragraphs are not well organised. Imprecise vocabulary; several spelling errors.
I believe that space exploration has its advantages and its disadvantages. However, I feel that its disadvantages outweigh its advantages.
Firstly, many people argue that the universe is so big and that it would be an awful waste of space if we were the only ones occupying it and it is for this reason that we should explore new frontiers in the space. I do not agree with this stance because we have enough to discover here on our planet as it stands. There are uncharted territories and breathtaking vistas that we have yet to encounter or even species of flora and fauna that have yet to be identified.
Secondly, there is talk of us humans having so much to learn from the universe and that the cure for our diseases and pain is out there somewhere in the universe. If we were to look at the amount of money being pumped into space exploration we will see that billions of dollars are essentially being 'wasted'. Back in the 1950s there was the 'Space Race' between Russia and the USA to put the first man into space. All the money spent on the race could have been put to much better use i.e. preventing world poverty. I firmly believe that money spent on space could be spent on much more important research here on earth such as finding a cure for cancer or even just better quality of life in third world countries.
In conclusion there are still many things to do here on our beautiful planet. As humans we are the only species that does not contribute to the ecosystem — we make things worse off for everyone. I think we should work towards making our planet a better place instead of just looking for a replacement.
Q2 (≈297 words) — Clear position with logical structure (intro · body 1 · body 2 · conclusion). Supporting details developed and explained. Good vocabulary range; only minor grammar slips. No significant spelling errors.
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