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IELTS Writing Task 2 Band 7 Scoring

In this lesson, I talk IELTS Writing Task 2 Band 7+ scoring. In other words, I examine exactly what your essay needs to do to get a high writing score.

Watch the video lesson or take a look at the text version below.


IELTS Writing Task 2 Scoring: Band Descriptors

Take a look at the IELTS Writing Task 2 Band Descriptors.

Here’s the explanation. Your score is the average of 4 categories:

  1. Task Response
  2. Cohesion and Coherence
  3. Lexical Resource
  4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy

(7 + 7 + 6 + 6)/4 = 6.5

Knowing what you need to do for a high score in each category can help you to focus on your weaknesses and improve your strengths.

Knowing these Band Descriptors can also help you to write in a style that will give the examiners what they want, and help you to finish faster.

Next we have a checklist that will help your get an IELTS Writing Task 2 Band 7+ score.

Band 7+ Task Response Checklist

  • Do you “address all parts of the task”? (Answer all parts of the question)
  • Do you cover each part of the task fully?
  • Do you have a well-developed response to the question?
  • Are all of your ideas relevant, extended (complete), and supported?
  • Is your position and your conclusion clear?

Being clear is the most important part!

Band 7+ Coherence and Cohesion Checklist

  • Do you use paragraphing correctly?
    • One central idea per paragraph
    • Paragraphs marked clearly
  • Are your ideas and information in a logical order?
  • Is there an obvious connection between each of your paragraphs?
  • Is there an obvious connection between each of your sentences?
  • Do you use a range of cohesive devices (without overusing them)?
    • Linking words (However…., Nonetheless…., In addition, etc.)
    • Referencing (“this”, “that”)

IELTS Master Advice: Leave a blank line between paragraphs. Being clear is #1.

Band 7+ Lexical Resource Checklist

  • Do you use a wide range of vocabulary for the topic?
  • Can you paraphrase effectively?
  • Do you use collocations correctly often?
  • Can you choose correct words most of the time?
  • Can you use some less common words?
  • Do you only have occasional/rare errors in spelling/word formation?

IELTS Master Advice: Focus on topical language, not fancy words. Being clear is #1.

Band 7+ Grammatical Range and Accuracy

  • Do you have a wide range of grammatical structures you can use?
  • Are most of your sentences accurate?
  • Is almost all of your punctuation accurate?
  • Can you use both simple and complex structures effectively?

IELTS Master Advice: Focus on accuracy, not range. Being clear is #1.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Band 7+ Action Step

  • Take a look through the band descriptors.
  • Look at one of your pieces of writing
  • Where do you think you are right now?
  • What do you need to do to get to the next level?
  • What can you do to get there?
  • If this is difficult for you to do on your own, get a writing correction from an IELTS expert.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Babar

    April 26, 2017 at 11:37 pm

    Wow great effort

    Reply
    • Lee

      April 7, 2019 at 11:52 am

      Thanks! I’m glad this was helpful for you.

      Reply
  2. saqib

    May 7, 2017 at 10:36 pm

    Do u have institute in pakistan?

    Reply
    • Lee

      April 7, 2019 at 11:52 am

      Nope! Just online 🙂

      Reply
  3. Bantalem Derseh Wale

    August 28, 2020 at 4:19 am

    It is very helpful to me as a writing teacher.

    Reply

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