Task achievement (TA) is one of four criteria that IELTS writing tasks are judged by.
In this article, I’ll cover the most three common mistakes that prevent IELTS candidates from getting higher task achievement scores in writing task one.
If you can avoid these mistakes, it’s easily possible to get a 7 or better for TA.
Mistake #1: Incorrect Analysis
If you want to get a low task achievement score, the fastest way is to make a mistake when reporting on the graph, table, or diagram.
Take the following graph as an example.
Source: Cambridge IELTS 9
Q: Which one of the following sentences is inaccurate?
a. Mobile usage grew over the period shown.
b. There was a rise in the use of national and international fixed lines.
c. Local fixed line usage fluctuated over the period shown.
If you look carefully, you’ll notice that “c” is the inaccurate sentence.
The definition of to fluctuate is “to rise and fall irregularly in number or amount” (definition link). While local fixed line usage did rise and fall, it was not irregular.
Because of this alone, the task achievement score could drop to a 6 as “details may be irrelevant, inappropriate, or inaccurate.”
Remember: Be careful when analyzing. Even one mistake can hurt your score.
Mistake #2: Reporting Every Detail
You’ve probably heard of this before. You need to “select and report the main features.” Not every detail on the graph.
Don’t do this:
In 1999, 100 million people entered post-graduate programs. In 2000, this number increased to 110 million. By 2001, this number had again increased to 150 million. Finally, in 2002, the number of people in post-graduate programs decreased slightly to 120 million.
You can see in the band descriptions that a task achievement score of 7 will “highlight the main features”, but that a score of 5 “recounts detail mechanically” and that there “may be a tendency to focus on detail.”
There’s no highlighting in this example. It’s just repeating the graph like a robot. This would probably get a 5 for TA, even though the other aspects of the writing are fine.
Remember: Choose the important data to highlight. Don’t report every detail.
Mistake #3: Not Enough Comparisons
While it’s not explicitly written in the band descriptors, the Task 1 writing instructions do say “make comparisons where relevant”. Personally, I see this as part of highlighting the main information.
Every sentence you’re writing should have a purpose. Sometimes it will be to highlight new, important information. Other times it will be to add on extra information by making a comparison.
Make sure you’re linking this extra information to what you’ve already written about.
Let’s look at these examples:
Example 1 (BAD): 100 thousand men went to university in 2002. 200 thousand women went to university in 2002.
Example 2 (GOOD): A total of 200 thousand women went to university in 2002, surpassing the number of men attending in the same year by exactly 100 thousand.
Not only does example 2 have better grammar, vocabulary, and cohesiveness, but it also makes a relevant comparison. Writing like this will get you at least a band 7 score.
Remember: Make comparisons wherever you can.
What mistakes are you making?
If you’d like to have your own writing corrected to see what you’re doing wrong, check out our Writing Correction Service. We can show you exactly what you’re doing wrong and how to fix it.
Sudhakara
So, How can be written the above example: c. Local fixed line usage fluctuated over the period shown.
If you look carefully, you’ll notice that “c” is the inaccurate sentence.
Lee
Good question. The sentence itself is correct but “fluctuate” implies going up and down several times.
You could write something like “Fixed lines increased steadily before reaching a peak in 1999, and declining back to its initial value.”
jithin abraham
If you don’t mind,shall i get your email id.So that i can send you some of my writings for corrections. I am desperately looking for someone enough to correct my answers. Thank you.
angie
Hi!Lee I’m interested to studying the ielts how can you help me.give me some advice how can I take ielts exam?
I hope I will get the answer from you.
Thanks so much
Mobarak hossain
I ‘d like to more information about IELTS exam.i hope ,I will get here.
Alice
Great instruction!
Lee
Thank you! I’m glad it was helpful for you.
Aryan khan
Your reports writing way is outstanding.
Aryan khan
Can you more details as report as essay for getting higher point.your writing style is fabulou.
aman
Please help me in achieving Bands 7.5 and above in writing task 1 in General training
Lee
I’ll have some general training content for you soon!
Subbrina
Please help me for achieving band 7.5in writing
KHUSHNUD
ur post has explained why I got 6.0…..is there any other “tips” for the rest 3 criterias?
jalani rajakaruna
Actually valuable instructions. Thanks. Can you help me to get 7 for both task 1 and task 2
Lee
I’m glad I could help. Send me an email if you have more detailed questions.
Maria
mariajt19@gmail.com
sybilla
The number of women in nursing school increased to 150 in 2000 compared to number of men ( 100) the same year
pls correct
Lee
This is basically fine.
Wei
Hi Lee,
I followed the link from your Meetup IELTS group. I really like the idea of analysing and explaining the criteria separately. I wonder will you do a same lesson on Task 2? I really want to know whether it is possible to achieve a high band in TA and CC as my LR and GRA are not that good.
Lee
Hi Wei!
Thanks for visiting. I’ll definitely try to do the same thing for Task 2. Great idea!
Lee
Asra
Hi Lee
Will you please help me in getting band 7 in reading. I am in trouble while doing reading tasks.
Barham
I just need 6 im not good in writing can you helpe me please
Marhammat
I want to see how to Writing Task
Marhammat
I am wait for you
Dianne
Hi, I desperately need a 7.5 in Writing Task 1 and 2. Can you help me? I really need feedback. I keep getting 6 all the time. I’m taking Academic.
Zari
um to be honest, jumping from a 6 to a 7.5 in the writing is not easy to achieve. I guess it requires a lot of practice and an ielts professional to consult with. I got an 8.5 by hard practice and study 🙂
Dilini Malsha Wijayathilaka
wow! your comment motivated me
Nino
Will we get a 7 band score if we didn’t write 150 words in task 1
Charles
Thanks. Great help.
Sơn
Dear Lee,
I have a question
Is “by exactly one hundred thousand” the difference between 200.000 (women) and 100.000(men) ( 200.000 – 100.000 = 100.000) ?
Or it’s the number of men matriculated in 2002(100.000)
Thank you