To achieve a band 8 inIELTSWriting Task 2, you will need to produce an essay that contains all the positive features contained in the band 8 writing assessment criteria. Let'stake a lookat these in the table below.
| Task response |
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| Coherence and cohesion |
|
| Lexical resource |
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| Grammatical range and accuracy |
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Using the band descriptors as a guide we are going to go through the 8 steps to get you on your way to a band 8 in Writing Task 2.
We will start with the task response before moving through all the criteria to show you what an examiner will be looking for in your response.
Step 1: Answer is relevant to the question
Answer what you have been asked in the question. Don’t produce an essay that is close to a topic you have previously prepared. Make sure your examples and ideas are relevant. If yougeneralisetoo much and are not specific enough this will affect how your ideas are presented to the examiner.
Do
Make sure your ideas are directly related to the question
Use ideas and examples that you are familiar with, and that relate directly to the topic
Extend your answer to includea number ofideas that will support the question.
Don't:
Include irrelevant information
Over-generalise
Produce amemorisedessay
Present ‘recent’ research or statistics related to the topic “At least 41% of all men…”
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Step 2: Answer all parts of the question
You must read the question carefully and decide how many parts are in it. You must answer all parts of the question to reach a band 6 or higher.
Let’s look at some example IELTS question prompts and see how many parts are in each,if you need to present your opinion. Remember, it is very important to present a clear position when answering the statement to show that you understand the question being asked and to keep that position clear throughout the essay.
| Question type | How many parts? | Opinion required? |
|---|---|---|
| To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? | 1-part question | Yes, agree or disagree, or decide why you agree/disagree equally. |
| Discuss both views and give your own opinion. | 3-part question - discuss both views as stated | Yes, present your opinion, it may be one of the views or a combination of both. |
| Why is this so? Give reasons for this and solutions? | 3-part question | A position is presented on why this is so, the reasons for this issue and solutions to solve the issue. |
| Do the disadvantages of international tourism outweigh the advantages? | 2-part question | Yes, you must clearly say if there are more advantages or more disadvantages. |
| Why is this so? What effect does it have on the individual and society? | 3-part question | Yes, you must give reasons for the statement and then present the effect it has on 1) the individual and 2) society. |
Do:
Read the question carefully and decide how many parts are in it
Present your opinion and support it throughout the whole essay
If asked to present both views, make sure each view is presented equally (similar paragraph length)
Watch for plurals. If you are asked to give ‘advantages’, you must present a minimum of 2
Watch for ‘and’. You may need to comment on more than one element
Write more than 250 words.
Don’t:
Ignore parts of the question
Assume that your opinion is clear, use the first person to ensure the examiner knows it’s your opinion ‘I think’
Tell the examiner what you are going to say and what you have said
Produce a short essay.
Step 3: Organise your essay logically, with clear progression using linking phrases
Ideas must be expressed and ordered clearly - starting with an introduction and moving through to a conclusion.
If you are asked to present both views and your opinion, state your opinion at the beginning of the essay and then move on to present both views. You can then come back to your own opinion and then conclude the essay. This is a logical way to present these ideas.
Do:
Use a range of linking words and phrases, but don’t overuse them
Use adverbial phrases, rather than single basic linkers
Use referencing and substitution to avoid repetition (this/them/the issue/the problem)
Use punctuation to make your writing coherent
Make sure your ideas are sequenced correctly
Make sure your ideas are logical and easy to follow
Use a separate paragraph for the introduction and the conclusion
Use one paragraph for each idea or topic area.
(Video) IELTS Writing- Transform a Band 6 to a Band 8 Essay
Don't:
Overuse basic linking words likefirstly(instead, try using ‘The first reason for/ The primary reason for this’)
Start every sentence with a linker (Try to put it in the middle of a sentence.E.g.“Some people believe, however, that individuals must also take responsibility for the environment”or“I believe, on the other hand, that individuals do have a responsibility to…”)
Use numbers, symbols or abbreviations (1, 2,etc,&,+)
Use headings or subheadings
Underline words or phrases
Use one-sentence paragraphs
Start every sentence with a linking device.
Step 4: Organise your essays into paragraphs
Use paragraphs toorganiseyour essay into clear parts. Make sure each paragraph contains a clear and developed topicwitha minimum of two sentences.
You can use the acronym “PEEL” when writing your essay:
Point – introduce your topicortopic sentence
Example –anexample that supports your point
Explain – why this evidence supports your point
Link – transition to the next topicorparagraph
You must use enough paragraphs to clearly show a structured response. This will show that you canorganiseand present your thoughts and ideas logically.
Here are some ideas on how many paragraphs you could include in an essay:
| Question type | How many paragraphs? | Paragraphs |
|---|---|---|
| To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? | 4/5 |
|
| Discuss both views and give your own opinion. | 5 |
|
| Why is this so? Give reasons for this and solutions? | 5 |
|
| Do the disadvantages of international tourism outweigh the advantages? | 4 |
|
| Why is this so? What effect does it have on the individual and the society? | 5 |
|
Do:
Use paragraphs
Use linkers between and within your paragraphs
Leave a space between each paragraph (a line)
Use a paragraph for each topic
Use an introduction and a conclusion.
Don't
Use single-sentence paragraphs
Use very long paragraphs that cover a whole page (IELTS on paper)
(Video) IELTS Writing Sample FROM 6.5 TO BAND 8
Step 5: Use less common vocabulary and spell it correctly
You will see in the band descriptors that a band 8 writerskillfullyuses uncommon lexical items. When we learn a language, we use common and uncommon terms.Common termsare words and phrases we useevery dayto refer to personal experience and daily habits.Uncommon termsare used when we discuss specific topics or when we use idiomatic language (phrasal verbs).
Words that are old-fashioned and not used in everyday speech should not be used. If you choose a synonym, the meaning must be the same and must not alter the idea being presented. For example, adolescent/teenager have close meaning and can be used interchangeably, however, toddler/baby have quite different meanings.
Collocation is also mentionedinband 8, and it is assumed that you know which words go together, and which words are suitable to use for different topics.
If you are discussing child crime, you could use the term ‘minor’ as this is a legal term used to describe children under the age of 18.
If you use phrasal verbs, make sure that you are using the correct preposition as it can change the meaning:
throwout/away= discard
throwup= vomit/get sick
Idioms (cultural language) should only be used if you understand them completely and if they fit the topic you are discussing.
Do:
Use precise word choices
Use language that we use in everyday speech
Use words that you understand
Use words and phrases that are related to the topic
Use collocation and phrasal verbs (words that go together naturally –environmental pollution | major issue | promising future)
Don't
Make spelling mistakes
Make typos
Mix up American and British spelling (You should use one or the other)
Use a word if you don’t understand it or cannot spell it.
Use imprecise words like ‘stuff/thing’
Use slang like ‘gonna’
Use old-fashioned language [the masses| denizens | myopic view | Hitherto]
Overuse synonyms, one is enough
Use idioms/clichés
Use contractions (can’t, doesn’t)
Step 6: Don’t use memorised language, phrases or examples
Don’t use anymemorisedlanguage, phrases or examples throughout your essay. They are easy for examiners to spot and don’t demonstrate your ability to write fluently.
Overused phrases, idioms, proverbs and clichés should also be avoided, again, they are often used when speaking. These include phrases like:
The grass is always greener on the other side
Love is blind
Off the top of my head
Old is gold
A friend in need is a friend indeed
Additionally, the following terms should not be used when writing as they are vague and do not address a task appropriately. You should always be using clear language and make appropriate word choices that will express your ideas clearly.
| Bad | Good | Bad | Good |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nowadays | In recent times | Crux of the discussion | The main/key issue is… |
| Can’t | cannot | Stuff/thing | Use the correct word! |
| Controversial issue | Major issue | e.g. | For example, … |
| The pros and cons | Benefits and drawbacks | Every coin has two sides/faces | There are both disadvantages and advantages… |
| Firstly | The primary reason why | A double-edged sword | The solution can also cause issues as… |
| Secondly | Lack of education is another reason why… | In a nutshell | In conclusion… |
Step 7: Use a variety of complex sentence structures
At band 8 it is expected that you can use a wide range of structures accurately to present your ideas and opinion. Show the examiner that you can use a wide range of structures and make sure your sentences are error-free.
It is important to use a mix of complex and simple sentences. But remember, your complex sentences should not be long and complicated.
Your punctuation needs to be accurate, usingcapitalisation, commas and full stops correctly.
The most common errors made can be found below:
| Grammar | Common errors |
|---|---|
| Relative Clause | Using the pronoun incorrectly - who/that/which |
| Conditional clause | Choosing the wrong tense for the clause type – Zero, Type 1,2,3 |
| Present perfect/past | Choosing the wrong tense - had/have had |
| Passive | Choosing the wrong past participle |
| Gerunds | Making errors with -ing |
| Countable nouns | Making errors with singular and plural nouns |
| Articles | Using a/the incorrectly, or not using it at all |
| Subject/verb agreement | The girls ‘are’ – singular or plural |
| Prepositions | Choosing the wrong dependent preposition, an incorrect preposition of place and so on. |
| Punctuation | Used incorrectly, or not used at all. |
Step 8: Checklist
Use the following checklist to make sure that your writing containsallthe positive features at a band 8
| Task response |
|
| Coherence and cohesion |
|
| Lexical resource |
|
| Grammatical range and accuracy |
|
If you follow these 8 steps, you will be well on your way to a band 8 in Writing Task 2.
Is IELTS writing hard?
IELTS writing is not so hard if you have a thorough understanding of the test format and are able to organise your thoughts into grammatically-correct, well-structured sentences. Obviously it requires a fair amount of practice. To make it easy, IDP has launched IELTS Prepare where you can access a range of preparation materials: from practice tests, sample answers, videos and articles, all the way to expert assessments, online courses, webinars and more.
IELTS writing for beginners
Join our free IDP IELTS webinars that are designed to give you a sense of what to expect during the IELTS Writing test and guide you towards reaching a high band score:
Improve your understanding of the writing test format and questions
Identify key points
Make your answers relevant
Organize your answers in a more coherent manner
FAQs
IELTS Writing task 2: 8 steps for a band 8? ›
Very few IELTS candidates score an overall 8.0 in the IELTS test. It means that in both IELTS listening and IELTS reading you score at least 36 correct answers out of 40 and in speaking and writing your English is practically error-free.
How to score 8 bands in IELTS general writing? ›- Understand the scoring format.
- Begin the letter appropriately.
- Use the right spelling.
- Follow standard expressions.
- Maintain legible and clear writing.
- Write at least 150 words.
- Finish exactly in 20 minutes.
- Take a practice test from thescorebooster.com.
Very few IELTS candidates score an overall 8.0 in the IELTS test. It means that in both IELTS listening and IELTS reading you score at least 36 correct answers out of 40 and in speaking and writing your English is practically error-free.
How do you get 9 bands in writing task 2? ›- Understand the question. ...
- Complete all the requirements of a task on time. ...
- Be very clear with your answers. ...
- Follow the structure. ...
- More is not always the best. ...
- Focus on your vocabulary. ...
- Avoid being redundant. ...
- Don't memorise the answers.
- Step 1: Answer all parts of the question.
- Step 2: Present a clear position.
- Step 3: Structure your essay.
- Step 4: Use linking devices.
- Step 5: Use a range of vocabulary.
- Step 6: Use a range of grammatical structures correctly.
- Step 7: Check your essay thoroughly.
- Improve IELTS Writing score.
| Band Score | Correct Answers (out of 40) |
|---|---|
| 9 | 39-40 |
| 8.5 | 37-38 |
| 8 | 35-36 |
| 7.5 | 33-34 |
- Start the preparation early and remain consistent throughout the journey.
- Get acquainted with skills regarding English grammar thoroughly.
- Concentrate on all the four test sections – reading, writing, speaking, and listening equally.
To achieve a band 8 in IELTS Writing Task 2, you will need to produce an essay that contains all the positive features contained in the band 8 writing assessment criteria.
Is IELTS 8.0 easy? ›A band score of 8 in IELTS means the applicant is an expert user and has a good grasp of the English language. With an 8-band in IELTS, applicants will have no problem working or studying in English-speaking countries.
How rare is 8 in IELTS? ›It's 100% guaranteed. Be wise about how you spend your time studying for IELTS, and be willing to invest in your future. Don't just take the test multiple times and hope your score improves. For those taking General Training to immigrate, 18% got 6, 16% got 7, and 7.5% got 8.
Which country accept 5 bands? ›
- 1) Australia. Australian universities value international experience, which is why they accept scores as low as 5.5 bands in IELTS. ...
- 2) Canada. ...
- 3) United Kingdom. ...
- 4) New Zealand. ...
- 5) United States. ...
- 7) Ireland.
- Understand the question. You must understand the question before you attempt to answer it. ...
- Plan your answer. ...
- Write an introduction. ...
- Write the main body paragraphs. ...
- Identify your weak areas. ...
- Fix the problems. ...
- Practice and get feedback.
Total Score for IELTS Writing Task 2: 6 + 7 + 6 + 6 = 25/4 = 6.25. This score will be increased to 6.5. To calculate your score, add all scores together and divide by 4. Note: The information above is taken from the band score descriptors published by IELTS.
What should be avoided in ielts writing task 2? ›- Mistake 1: Not enough paragraphs.
- Mistake 2: Incorrect format.
- Mistake 3: Partially addressing the question.
- Mistake 4: Presenting an unclear position.
- Mistake 5: Spelling errors and typos.
- Mistake 6: Using inappropriate memorised language, phrases and clichés.
- Write task 1 and task 2 every day.
- Analyse your mistakes. ...
- Work on your weaknesses. ...
- Read band 9 essays and compare them to the answers that you have written. ...
- Check each sentence for mistakes as you write your IELTS essays.
- Give yourself 3-5 minutes at the end of the writing test to check over your writing.
IELTS Writing: Word Count Rules
IELTS have set a task of writing OVER 150 words for IELTS writing task 1 and 250 for writing task 2. However, there is no upper word limit.
- Get to know the test.
- Focus on the Listening Test.
- Focus on the Reading Test.
- Focus on the Speaking Test.
- Focus on the Writing Task 1.
- Focus on the Writing Task 2.
- Do a mock Listening Test.
- Do a mock Reading Test.
You can now retake any one part of the test; Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking without redoing all four parts.
Is 7.75 considered as 8 in IELTS? ›The IELTS Speaking band descriptors can help you understand how an examiner will assess you during the Speaking test. Below we have given some possible scenarios that will help you understand how IELTS score banding works. In case, your overall band score is 7.75 then your final score will be 8.
How rare is a 9 in IELTS? ›Yes, getting an IELTS band score of 9 in the actual exam is very much possible. This is possible if you have met the expectations of the IELTS examiner and showcased the qualities of a competent user of the English language.
What are the connectors for Band 8? ›
In addition, and similarly, likewise, as well as, besides, furthermore, also, moreover, and then, not only, …but even, besides, this /that. First(ly), initially, second(ly ),etc to begin with, then next, earlier, /later /after this/that ,following this/that ,afterwards , finally, lastly.
How many marks are required to get 8 bands in listening? ›| Band score | Raw score out of 40 |
|---|---|
| 5 | 16 |
| 6 | 23 |
| 7 | 30 |
| 8 | 35 |
A: You are considered fluent when you reach a CEFR C2. To be considered C2 without any ambiguity, you need a minimum band score of 8.5 at your IELTS test.
Is IELTS band 8 fluent? ›Your IELTS band scores decide your level of competence in the English language. It tells how much you understand English Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing. So, if you have scored 7 or more then you are marked as a good user. If you scored 8 then you are a very good user.
Which IELTS is harder? ›IELTS academic is harder than IELTS general training. The IELTS fee for academic and general training is INR 14,000. And the duration of the Ielts exam is 2 hours and 45 minutes. You can choose between paper based or computer delivered IELTS exam.
Is IELTS 8.0 C1 or C2? ›| IELTS Band Score | CEFR Level |
|---|---|
| 8.5 | C2 |
| 8.0 | C1 |
| 7.5 | |
| 7.0 |
Why 70% of people fail to clear IELTS writing and how to succeed in it. by jims varkey | Medium.
Which country has the highest IELTS score? ›| Ranking | Countries | Band Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germany | 7.43 |
| 2 | Greece | 6.97 |
| 3 | Malaysia | 6.88 |
| 4 | Spain | 6.85 |
What is the minimum IELTS band for the USA? In order to acquire a study visa in the United States, international students are required to score a minimum of 6.0 band in each module with an overall score of 6.5.
What band is required for USA? ›Which IELTS is required for USA visa? To meet the USA visa requirements, an overall IELTS band score of 6.5 is required. However IELTS band score of 7 in the speaking section/test is an added advantage.
How do I know if I passed my IELTS? ›
A paper copy of your IELTS test score – known as an IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) - is the official confirmation of your test result and will be available 13 days after your test date if you have taken IELTS on paper, and in 3-5 days if you have taken IELTS on a computer.
Does writing task 2 questions repeat? ›Students often wonder whether the essay questions are repeated or not. The answer is No. The essay questions never repeat, but the topic might. You may receive a question on recycling like “ Recycling is seen as too little too late.
Is writing task 2 difficult? ›The IELTS writing task 1 marking criteria accounts for 33% of the total IELTS writing evaluation score, and you should try to finish this part in 20 minutes or less because IELTS writing task 2 is more difficult and will take at least 40 minutes to complete.
Which tense is used in writing task 2? ›On Writing Task 2, Present Perfect often comes into play.
Who checks IELTS writing test? ›Assessment of writing performance is carried out by examiners trained and certified by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia or IELTS USA. Scores are reported as a whole band or half band. Detailed assessment criteria have been developed, which describe written performance at the nine IELTS bands.
How to predict IELTS writing score? ›Example of IELTS Writing Scoring:
You can calculate your own score: 8 + 6 + 6 = 20/3 = 6.66. Take one task 1 score and two task 2 scores and divide by 3. Please note that these scores are only estimated calculations.
If you get an overall score of 5.25 it goes up to Band 5.5. If it is 5.75 it will go up to Band 6.
What is the best start for IELTS writing task 2? ›Writing Task 2 questions usually begin with a general statement before focusing in on more specific points or questions about the topic. Using a similar model in your own introduction is a great way to start your essay, but make sure that your general statement is clearly related to your topic and is not too broad.
How many spelling mistakes are allowed in IELTS writing task 2? ›Does every word have to be spelled correctly? The good news is you can make a few spelling mistakes and still get a high score - IELTS calls them 'slips'. In other words, just one or two small mistakes that do not affect meaning will have no impact on your score. Clearly, you can make spelling errors in your writing.
What are the common mistakes in IELTS writing? ›- Mistake 1: Not enough paragraphs.
- Mistake 2: Incorrect format.
- Mistake 3: Partially addressing the question.
- Mistake 4: Presenting an unclear position.
- Mistake 5: Spelling errors and typos.
- Mistake 6: Using inappropriate memorised language, phrases and clichés.
Why is my ielts writing score so low? ›
Practicing writing mistakes is harder
If you practice writing IELTS essays over and over, you might not improve at all. Without feedback, you will only get quicker at writing. Practice makes us better at something through repetition.
Nilay scored 8.5 Overall in the IELTS Academic test this month. Below are his tips for his great score in IELTS.
How can I get 8 bands in IELTS general writing? ›- Understand the scoring format.
- Begin the letter appropriately.
- Use the right spelling.
- Follow standard expressions.
- Maintain legible and clear writing.
- Write at least 150 words.
- Finish exactly in 20 minutes.
- Take a practice test from thescorebooster.com.
No. There is nothing in the IELTS marking rubric about writing too many words. Theoretically, you could write 1,000 words and you would not be penalized. As long as you have written more than 150 words for task 1 or 250 words for task 2, you should be ok.
Can we lie in IELTS writing task 2? ›Yes, that's right, you can lie on IELTS! Remember, the examiner doesn't care about the truth of your ideas- they only want to see your writing in English. As long as those made-up facts are presented in an organized way, using interesting vocabulary, you will get a high score.
What happens if I write 200 words in the IELTS written exam Task 2? ›The short answer is nothing. If you write 200 words, you are not penalised. If you write 100 words, you are not penalised. Until a few years ago, candidates lost Task Achievement marks for writing answers that were too short.
How is IELTS general writing score calculated? ›An IELTS Examiner marks your Writing test on 4 different criteria. Each criterion is worth 25% of your total mark for that task. The examiner will give you a band score for Writing Task 1 and a band score for Writing Task 2. Then, your final IELTS Writing band score is calculated.
Is it possible to get 8 in writing? ›To achieve a band 8 in IELTS Writing Task 2, you will need to produce an essay that contains all the positive features contained in the band 8 writing assessment criteria.
How can I get 7.5 general writing in IELTS? ›- Step 1: Answer all parts of the question.
- Step 2: Present a clear position.
- Step 3: Structure your essay.
- Step 4: Use linking devices.
- Step 5: Use a range of vocabulary.
- Step 6: Use a range of grammatical structures correctly.
- Step 7: Check your essay thoroughly.
- Improve IELTS Writing score.
Each correct answer is awarded one mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS nine-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands. The Academic and General Training Reading tests are graded on the same scale.
How do examiners check ielts writing? ›
The assessment criteria used by examiners is the same for both the General Training and Academic tests. Your answers in Writing Task 1 are assessed against the following criteria: task achievement, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource and grammatical range and accuracy.
What is the pass mark for ielts writing? ›There is no pass or fail in IELTS Academic or General Training test. Scores are graded on the 9-band system. Each educational institution or organisation sets its own level of IELTS scores to meet its individual requirements.
How fast can you write an 8 page essay? ›Writing 8 pages will take about 1.7 hours for the average writer typing on a keyboard and 3.3 hours for handwriting. However, if the content needs to include in-depth research, links, citations, or graphics such as for a blog article or high school essay, the length can grow to 13.3 hours.
How can I improve my IELTS Writing score from 6.5 to 8? ›- pay attention to ALL issues in the essay question.
- write about the issues rather than just the general topic.
- answer the essay question with relevant main points.
- plan your supporting points so they don't go off the topic.
- write over 250 words.
Getting a 6 band score is also not easy, but it's not enough. So, in writing too, make sure to identify the areas where you are lacking and concentrate on them. Are you weak in tenses or sentence formation, or presenting your ideas, and so on? You can improve the final score by improving the individual components.
Who checks IELTS writing? ›Assessment of writing performance is carried out by examiners trained and certified by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia or IELTS USA. Scores are reported as a whole band or half band. Detailed assessment criteria have been developed, which describe written performance at the nine IELTS bands.
What is the lowest score in IELTS writing? ›IELTS results are reported on a 9-band scale. They are designed to be simple and easy to understand. They are reported as band scores on a scale from 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest).