If you are still willing to listen to me, since you obviously would rather listen to students, than contributor advice, I will tell you what you are doing wrong. Accept my advice or not, this is the truth, which will not stroke your ego, but will help you become a better writer. There are only student comments here. Those are not the same as improvement advice coming from a contributor. Then again, the choice is yours. Take my advice or not, I am still going to give it.  
  
Do not focus on the word number count. Writing a long essay, that does not correspond to the prompt instruction is not going to give you a passing score. Any teacher who says you should write more words to pass is not a good teacher. The examiner does not score on word count. The exam taker is scored on the content of the essay. There are no right or wrong answers. There is no need to pose a debate in the essay. There is only a discussion so words such as "argue" or anything that signifies discord or debate is frowned upon by examiners. They score down for the use of inflammatory words that alter the original message of the prompt.  
  
Do not rush into writing your essay. With 40 minutes to write this essay, you should take the first 20 minutes to consider, outline, and draft the essay. Cut up the prompt into the following outline to help you consider how to best approach your response.  
  
Consider:  
  
What is the topic? Rich countries often give money to poorer countries,  
What problem does this solve? poverty.  
Alternative solution? developed countries should give other types of help to the poor countries  
  
Discussion Outline:  
Thesis: I strongly support the alternative solutions for several reasons.  
List of Pro and Con for alternative solutions  
  
Think about your own country at this point. Does the aid it receives from the UN, WHO, allied nations, and others truly make a difference in the life of the poor in your country? If yes, why? If no, present reasons why it doesn't work.  
  
The main thing is to not lose focus of your essay topic, the defense of a singular point of view, your strong agreement with the alternative solutions. Depict examples of charitable organizations in your country whose projects truly make a difference in the poor sector of your society.  
  
The most important parts of your essay writing will be:  
  
-To prove that you understood the prompt topic and discussion requirements  
- Clearly explain your response through the use of examples and related reasons.  
  
You do not need a background in international relations. However, the Task 2 essay requires you to be up to date with international and local current events. So if you want to be able to write applicable personal knowledge responses, you better start reading and following news sources. The Task 2 topics will always be based on those types of discussions and opinion topics. Read, learn, remember the facts, and apply whenever applicable in a Task 2 essay topic.  
  
Take your time in writing your essay. 20 minutes used on considering how and what you will write will help you score better than the 300 words you wrote wherein you were thinking and writing at the same time. To avoid errors, focus on brainstorming first. Outline the discussion points and then write about it in 10 minutes. No more that 290 words. Then take the last 10 minutes to review, edit, and strengthen your discussion. Only then will you be able to overcome your problem in assessing the best way to respond to a question. Remember, it is a single opinion essay. The extent essay is never a C/C or A/D discussion. It is a direct opinion, single opinion discussion essay only. That will never change.