IELTS Writing band descriptors explained

Task Response (Task 2) / Task Achievement (Task 1)

Did you answer the exact question asked, all of it, and support your ideas? In Task 2 the examiner looks for a clear position held from the introduction to the conclusion and ideas that are explained rather than listed. In Task 1 they look for an overview sentence plus accurately selected data or all the bullet points of a letter.

What loses marks here

• Answering only half of a two-part question ("discuss both views and give your opinion").
• Writing a Task 1 report with no overview paragraph — this alone caps the criterion at Band 5.
• Ideas that are asserted but never explained or exemplified.

Band 5 to 9 wording

• Band 9Fully addresses all parts of the task; presents a fully developed position with relevant, fully extended and well-supported ideas.
• Band 8Sufficiently addresses all parts of the task; presents a well-developed response with relevant, extended and supported ideas.
• Band 7Addresses all parts of the task; presents a clear position throughout; presents, extends and supports main ideas, but there may be a tendency to over-generalise or supporting ideas may lack focus.
• Band 6Addresses all parts of the task although some parts may be more fully covered than others; presents a relevant position although conclusions may become unclear or repetitive.
• Band 5Addresses the task only partially; the format may be inappropriate in places; expresses a position but the development is not always clear and there may be no conclusions drawn.

Coherence and Cohesion

How easy your answer is to follow. Coherence is the logic of your paragraph order; cohesion is the glue — referencing, substitution and linking words. One central idea per paragraph, developed in the sentences that follow it, is the single biggest win here.

What loses marks here

• Starting every sentence with a connector (Firstly, Moreover, In addition) — over-use is penalised as much as absence.
• Paragraphs of one sentence, or a wall of text with no paragraphs at all.
• Pronouns with no clear referent ("this is a big problem" — this what?).

Band 5 to 9 wording

• Band 9Uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention; skilfully manages paragraphing.
• Band 8Sequences information and ideas logically; manages all aspects of cohesion well; uses paragraphing sufficiently and appropriately.
• Band 7Logically organises information with clear progression; uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately, though with some under/over-use.
• Band 6Arranges information coherently and there is a clear overall progression; cohesive devices are used effectively but cohesion within/between sentences may be faulty or mechanical.
• Band 5Presents information with some organisation but there may be a lack of overall progression; inadequate, inaccurate or over-use of cohesive devices.

Lexical Resource

Range and precision of vocabulary, including spelling, word formation and collocation. Band 7 needs some less common words used correctly — precision beats rarity, and a rare word used wrongly costs more than a common word used well.

What loses marks here

• Thesaurus substitutions that break collocation ("a plentiful problem").
• Repeating the prompt's key nouns in every sentence with no paraphrase.
• Word-form errors: "economical growth", "a huge amount of people".

Band 5 to 9 wording

• Band 9Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control; rare minor errors occur only as slips.
• Band 8Uses a wide range of vocabulary fluently and flexibly to convey precise meanings; occasional errors in word choice, spelling or word formation.
• Band 7Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision; uses less common items with some awareness of style and collocation; may produce occasional errors.
• Band 6Uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task; attempts to use less common vocabulary but with some inaccuracy; makes some errors in spelling and word formation that do not impede communication.
• Band 5Uses a limited range of vocabulary, minimally adequate for the task; noticeable errors in spelling and word formation may cause some difficulty for the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

A mix of simple and complex sentence forms, controlled. Punctuation counts here too. Band 7 asks for frequent error-free sentences; Band 8 for the majority of sentences error-free with only occasional slips.

What loses marks here

• Articles and plurals — the highest-frequency error type in Band 6 scripts.
• Subject-verb agreement inside long complex sentences.
• Comma splices joining two full clauses with no conjunction.

Band 5 to 9 wording

• Band 9Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy; rare minor errors occur only as slips.
• Band 8Uses a wide range of structures; the majority of sentences are error-free; makes only very occasional errors or inappropriacies.
• Band 7Uses a variety of complex structures; produces frequent error-free sentences; has good control of grammar and punctuation but may make a few errors.
• Band 6Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms; makes some errors in grammar and punctuation but they rarely reduce communication.
• Band 5Uses only a limited range of structures; attempts complex sentences but these tend to be less accurate than simple sentences; may make frequent grammatical errors and punctuation may be faulty.

Answer every part of the question

Most Band 6 scripts are well written but partially on-task. Before you write, underline each task instruction and give each one its own paragraph.

Cut the repeated grammar error

Band 7 is about frequency, not perfection. Most candidates have two or three recurring errors (articles, plurals, tense). Fixing those raises the criterion more reliably than adding complex structures.

Develop, don't add

Two ideas explained with a reason and an example score higher than five ideas listed. Depth is what Task Response rewards at Band 7.

Make cohesion invisible

Replace signposting connectors with referencing and natural progression. If a paragraph reads smoothly without "Moreover", delete it.