Conclusions that close the argument
Write a two- or three-sentence conclusion that restates your position, sums up your main reasons in fresh words and closes the essay cleanly, with no new ideas, no contradictions and no copied introduction.
By the end of this lesson you will be able to:
- Explain what a Task 2 conclusion must and must not do
- Restate your position and main reasons in fresh wording that mirrors the introduction
- Adapt the conclusion to the essay type, and judge when a recommendation or prediction fits
- Recognise and fix the most common conclusion mistakes
- Write a complete conclusion in about four minutes
Three jobs in two or three sentences
- Signal the end. In conclusion, / To conclude, / Overall, / To sum up, are all fine. In conclusion is not ‘too simple’. Examiners care about what follows it, not about how fancy the signal is.
- Restate your position. It must be the same position as your thesis, in fresh words. If you partly agreed in the introduction, you partly agree here, and to the same extent.
- Summarise the main reasons, normally in one short phrase per body paragraph. Noun phrases let you compress a whole paragraph into a few words: the high cost of free fares sums up Body 1, and the poor quality of the service sums up Body 2.
Optional fourth job: a brief final thought, such as a recommendation (Governments should therefore…) or a prediction (If…, cities will…). Add one only when it fits the question and grows directly out of what you have already argued.
How long?
About 30–60 words, roughly 10–15% of a 280-word essay. It should be your shortest paragraph. A 100-word conclusion almost always means you are re-arguing old points or adding new ones.
What a conclusion must, may and must not do
| Must do | May do (if it fits) | Must not do |
|---|---|---|
Restate your position clearly | Add a recommendation that follows from your argument | Introduce a new argument or reason |
Summarise the main idea of each body paragraph | Make a brief prediction about the future | Add a new example, fact or statistic |
Use fresh wording: paraphrase, never copy | Acknowledge the other side in a ‘while’ or ‘although’ clause | Change, soften or contradict your opinion |
Keep it short: two or three sentences | Use ‘I’ to state your view (I believe, I remain convinced) | End with a question, a quotation or a cliché |
Question: Some people think that the best way to reduce traffic congestion in cities is to make public transport free. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Introduction (thesis in bold):
Traffic congestion has become one of the most serious problems facing large cities, from Dhaka to Jakarta. Some argue that the most effective solution is to abolish fares on buses and trains. While free travel would certainly tempt some drivers out of their cars, I do not believe it is the best way to reduce congestion, because it is extremely costly and does nothing to improve the poor service that discourages people from using public transport.
Body 1 argued that the cost of free fares drains money from investment. Body 2 argued that quality of service matters more than price.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, although free public transport might persuade a minority of drivers to leave their cars at home, it is not the most effective answer to urban congestion. The enormous sums needed to remove fares would be better spent on making buses and trains faster and more reliable, since it is poor service rather than price that keeps most commuters on the roads.
- Signal‘In conclusion’ is clear and perfectly acceptable. There is no need for anything fancier.
- Concession mirrored‘While free travel would certainly tempt some drivers…’ in the thesis becomes ‘although free public transport might persuade a minority of drivers…’. It is the same idea in new words.
- Position mirrored‘I do not believe it is the best way to reduce congestion’ becomes ‘it is not the most effective answer to urban congestion’. The stance is identical: the writer disagrees, with one concession.
- Body paragraphs compressed‘The enormous sums needed to remove fares’ sums up Body 1, and ‘poor service rather than price’ sums up Body 2. Two whole paragraphs become two short phrases.
- A recommendation that grows from the argument‘…would be better spent on making buses and trains faster…’ is not a new idea, because Body 2 already argued that service quality matters most. It turns the argument into a final judgement.
- LengthTwo sentences and about 60 words, which makes it the shortest paragraph in the essay, as it should be.
Mirror, don’t copy
The conclusion should mirror the introduction, keeping the same position and the same main reasons but using different words and different sentence shapes. Copying your thesis word for word tells the examiner nothing new, and that repetition counts against you in Task Response (repetitive conclusions) and in Lexical Resource (limited range).
Four quick techniques:
| Technique | Thesis | Conclusion |
|---|---|---|
| Synonyms | the best way to reduce congestion | the most effective answer to congestion |
| Word forms | it is extremely costly | the enormous cost of removing fares |
| Clause order | While free travel would tempt some drivers, I do not believe… | I do not believe…, even though it might tempt some drivers |
| Noun-phrase summary | because it does nothing to improve the poor service that discourages people | since poor service rather than price keeps commuters on the roads |
You do not have to change every word. Key topic words such as public transport and congestion can stay. What matters is that the sentence has visibly been rewritten rather than pasted.
Copied vs mirrored conclusion
Copied: band 6 at best
In conclusion, traffic congestion has become one of the most serious problems facing large cities. Some argue that the most effective solution is to abolish fares on buses and trains. While free travel would certainly tempt some drivers out of their cars, I do not believe it is the best way to reduce congestion, because it is extremely costly and does nothing to improve the poor service.
Mirrored: band 8
In conclusion, although free public transport might persuade a minority of drivers to leave their cars at home, it is not the most effective answer to urban congestion. The enormous sums needed to remove fares would be better spent on making buses and trains faster and more reliable, since it is poor service rather than price that keeps most commuters on the roads.
The copied version repeats the introduction almost word for word, including the background sentence about cities, which has no place in a conclusion. The examiner learns nothing new and sees exactly the kind of repetition the band 6 descriptor mentions. The mirrored version keeps the same position and the same two reasons, but every phrase has been rewritten and both body paragraphs are compressed into clear summaries. It closes the argument instead of restarting it.
Conclusions by essay type
| Essay type | What the conclusion contains | Model opening |
|---|---|---|
Opinion (agree or disagree, to what extent) | Your position at the same extent as the thesis, plus the main reasons | In conclusion, I remain convinced that … because … |
Discussion (discuss both views and give your opinion) | Both views in brief, then your own opinion stated clearly | In conclusion, while there are valid arguments on both sides, I believe that … |
Advantages and disadvantages | The main advantage and disadvantage, and which outweighs (if the question asks) | In conclusion, although … has certain drawbacks, these are clearly outweighed by … |
Problem–solution or cause–solution | The main problems or causes and the main solutions; a recommendation or prediction fits naturally | In conclusion, … is largely caused by …, but it could be tackled effectively if … |
Two-part question | A short, direct answer to each question in the prompt | In conclusion, … is mainly the result of …, and I believe this is a positive development because … |
Check your understanding: what a conclusion does
6 questions- 1
Thesis: “I completely agree that every large city should ban private cars from its centre.” Which conclusion keeps the position consistent?
- 2
A Task 2 conclusion should usually be the longest paragraph in the essay.
- 3
Choose TWO things every Task 2 conclusion must do.
Select 2.
- 4
An essay argued that (Body 1) homework builds independent study habits and (Body 2) too much homework causes stress. Which sentence would add a NEW idea to its conclusion?
- 5
A good conclusion should the introduction, with the same position expressed in different words.
- 6
About how long should a Task 2 conclusion be?
Answer every question to check.
Eight common mistakes and how to fix them
| Mistake | What it looks like | The fix |
|---|---|---|
Adding a new argument or example | ‘…Moreover, free buses would also reduce air pollution.’ (never mentioned in the body) | Only summarise what you have argued. If the idea is good, it belongs in a body paragraph. |
Changing your opinion | Thesis: ‘I completely agree…’ Conclusion: ‘…both sides have merit and it depends on the situation.’ | Re-read your thesis before writing the conclusion. Keep its stance and change only its words. |
Copying the introduction | The thesis pasted in again with ‘In conclusion’ at the front | Paraphrase with new synonyms, new word forms and a new clause order. |
Sitting on the fence | ‘In conclusion, there are advantages and disadvantages, and people should decide for themselves.’ | State a clear position, even a partial one: ‘I agree, but only in the case of…’ |
Ending with a cliché or a question | ‘Only time will tell.’ / ‘Who knows what the future holds?’ | End with a clear statement, or with a recommendation that grows from your argument. |
Writing too much | A 100-word paragraph that re-argues every point with examples | Two or three sentences. Summarise and stop. |
No conclusion at all | The essay stops at the end of Body 2 because time ran out | Reserve 3–4 minutes. With one minute left, write one clear sentence, which is far better than nothing. |
Informal or empty signals | ‘In a nutshell…’ / ‘To wrap up…’ / ‘Last but not least, in conclusion…’ | Use a neutral academic signal: In conclusion, / To conclude, / Overall, |
Band 5.5 vs band 8: the same conclusion, rewritten
Band 5.5
Question: Some people think children should be given homework every day, while others believe it is unnecessary. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
In conclusion, homework has advantages and disadvantages. Some people think it is good and some people think it is bad. In my opinion, homework is necessary but it is also not necessary for small children. Also, parents should help their children with homework every day and schools should give more time for sports. Only time will tell what is best for our children.
Band 8
Same question.
In conclusion, although daily homework can overload young pupils and limit their time for play, I believe a moderate amount is valuable, because it reinforces what has been taught in class and builds the habit of independent study that students will need throughout their education.
The left conclusion packs five faults into five sentences. It opens with an empty summary (‘advantages and disadvantages’), gives a self-contradictory opinion (‘necessary but also not necessary’), adds two brand-new ideas (parents’ help and sports time) and ends on a cliché. An examiner finishing this essay would not know what the writer thinks. The right conclusion does everything in a single sentence of about 45 words. It summarises the opposing view in a concession clause, states a clear opinion (a moderate amount is valuable) and compresses the reasons from the body.
A four-minute routine for the conclusion
- 1
Re-read your thesis (20 seconds)
Underline the stance words: agree, disagree, partly, largely, outweigh, more convincing. That stance must not change.
- 2
Write the signal and your position (1 minute)
In conclusion, I remain convinced that… / To conclude, while…, I believe that… Rephrase the thesis rather than copying it.
- 3
Compress each body paragraph into a phrase (1 minute)
Turn each paragraph into a noun phrase or a short clause: …because of the high cost of… / …since it is … rather than … that…
- 4
Add a final thought only if it fits (1 minute)
A recommendation or prediction that a reader could predict from your body paragraphs. If in doubt, leave it out.
- 5
Check (30 seconds)
Is the stance the same as the thesis? Are there any new ideas? Is the whole essay still over 250 words?
Writing Task 2 practice
40+ words · 6 minWrite a conclusion (40–60 words) for this opinion essay.
Question: Some people believe that every young person should be required to do a period of unpaid community service before starting university or work. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
The writer’s introduction:
In several countries there is growing interest in asking young people to spend time volunteering in their communities, and some believe this should be compulsory for every school leaver. I partly agree: while community service can build valuable skills and a sense of social responsibility, making it compulsory would place an unfair burden on young people from poorer families.
Body 1 (summary): Community service teaches teamwork, organisation and empathy. Example: students who helped with flood relief in Sylhet learned to plan, cooperate and understand hardship.
Body 2 (summary): An unpaid, compulsory scheme delays earning, which is unfair to low-income families who depend on young people’s wages. A voluntary scheme with incentives, such as certificates that count towards university admission, would be fairer.
Your conclusion must keep the writer’s partial agreement, summarise both body paragraphs in fresh words and add nothing new.
Self-check before submitting
- ☐ Starts with a clear, neutral signal (In conclusion, / To conclude,)
- ☐ Keeps the same partial agreement as the introduction
- ☐ Summarises Body 1 (skills and social responsibility) in a short phrase
- ☐ Summarises Body 2 (unfair burden; voluntary is fairer) in a short phrase
- ☐ Paraphrases the thesis rather than copying it
- ☐ Adds no new argument or example
- ☐ Two or three sentences, 40–60 words
Writing Task 2 practice
40+ words · 6 minWrite a conclusion (40–60 words) that ends with a recommendation or a prediction.
Question: Many cities in developing countries suffer from severe flooding after heavy rain. What are the main causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to solve it?
The writer’s introduction:
Each monsoon, streets in cities such as Dhaka and Chattogram turn into rivers within hours of a heavy downpour. This essay argues that the problem is largely man-made, caused by blocked drainage and the loss of natural waterways, and that it could be greatly reduced through better waste management and the restoration of canals and wetlands.
Body 1 (causes): Drains are blocked by plastic bags and household rubbish, and canals and wetlands that once absorbed rainwater have been filled in for construction.
Body 2 (solutions): Stricter waste collection and limits on single-use plastic would keep drains clear, while recovering illegally occupied canals and protecting the remaining wetlands would give rainwater somewhere to go.
Restate the causes and solutions in fresh words, then finish with one recommendation or prediction that grows directly from Body 2.
Self-check before submitting
- ☐ Restates that the problem is mainly man-made
- ☐ Summarises both causes (blocked drains, lost waterways) in fresh words
- ☐ Summarises the solutions without adding new ones
- ☐ Ends with a recommendation or prediction that follows from Body 2
- ☐ Uses a conditional or ‘should’ structure accurately (If …, … could/would … / Authorities should …)
- ☐ 40–60 words, with no new examples
Final quiz: conclusions
10 questions- 1
Thesis: “I strongly disagree that zoos should be closed, because well-run zoos protect endangered species and inspire young people to care about wildlife.” Choose the best conclusion.
- 2
Find and correct the mistake:
In conclusion, I strongly believe that the advantages of online learning outweighs its disadvantages.
- 3
Find and correct the mistake:
To conclude, although there are some benefits, but I believe the drawbacks are more significant.
- 4
Put the parts of this conclusion in order.
Drag the cards (or use the arrows) into the correct order.
- 1particularly the damage to fragile coastlines and the strain on local water supplies.
- 2Governments should therefore limit visitor numbers in the most vulnerable places.
- 3In conclusion, while tourism brings welcome income to remote areas,
- 4I believe its environmental costs are too high to ignore,
- 5
Match each essay type to what its conclusion should contain.
Opinion (to what extent do you agree?)Discussion (discuss both views and give your opinion)Problem–solutionAdvantages and disadvantages (do the advantages outweigh…?)Two-part question - 6
“In conclusion, I think social media is very bad. It makes people lonely and wastes time. Furthermore, the government should ban smartphones in schools and tax technology companies. Who knows what the future holds?” Choose THREE problems.
Select 3.
- 7
Including a recommendation in your conclusion always counts as a new idea and should be avoided.
- 8
In conclusion, while there are valid arguments on sides, I believe that the benefits are greater.
- 9
You have two minutes left and no conclusion. What should you do?
- 10
A problem–solution essay recommended that brick kilns switch to cleaner technology and move further from cities. Which is the best final sentence?
Answer every question to check.
Key takeaways
Useful language for conclusions
Saved as flashcards with a free accountoutweigh
verb/ˌaʊtˈweɪ/
to be greater or more important than something else
ছাপিয়ে যাওয়া; বেশি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ হওয়া
In my view, the long-term benefits of the scheme clearly outweigh its initial costs.
on balance
phrase/ɒn ˈbæləns/
after considering all the arguments for and against
সব দিক বিবেচনা করে
On balance, I believe that free tuition is a sound investment for a developing country.
address
verb/əˈdres/
to start dealing with a problem or issue
মোকাবিলা করা; সমাধানে উদ্যোগ নেওয়া
Authorities must address the causes of urban flooding, not just its symptoms.
mitigate
verb/ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/
to make something harmful less severe
প্রশমিত করা; কমানো
Restoring wetlands would help to mitigate the effects of heavy monsoon rain.
in the long run
phrase/ɪn ðə ˈlɒŋ rʌn/
over a long period of time; eventually
দীর্ঘমেয়াদে
In the long run, cleaner technology saves factories money as well as protecting public health.
impose
verb/ɪmˈpəʊz/
to force a rule, cost or burden on someone
চাপিয়ে দেওয়া
Community service should be encouraged rather than imposed on every school leaver.
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