Study guide · Writing
IELTS Writing: what’s tested and how the marks are won
Writing is where most candidates lose the half-band they need — not because their English is weak, but because they answer the wrong question or never learn what the four descriptors reward. Here is exactly what the examiner is marking, and where your hours pay off most.
- Tasks
- Two
- Total time
- 60 min
- Min words
- 150 / 250
- Task 2 weight
- 2× Task 1
What the paper actually asks
You get two tasks in 60 minutes. Task 1 (150+ words) is a report: in Academic you describe a chart, graph, process or map; in General Training you write a letter. Task 2 (250+ words) is an essay arguing a position on a general topic — and it is worth twice as much as Task 1.
The four descriptors — each worth 25%
Your band for each task is the average of four equally-weighted criteria. A high score in three cannot rescue a low fourth, so the fastest route up is almost always your weakest column.
| Descriptor | Band 6 looks like | Band 7+ looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Task Response | Addresses the task but with under-developed or partly off-topic ideas | Answers every part with a clear position and fully developed, relevant ideas |
| Coherence & Cohesion | Some structure, but linking is mechanical or overused | Logical paragraphs, one clear idea each, cohesion you barely notice |
| Lexical Resource | Enough words for the task, with noticeable repetition or errors | Flexible, precise vocabulary and natural collocation; rare slips |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | A mix of forms but frequent errors that can distract | A range of complex structures, most sentences error-free |
Where candidates quietly lose marks
- Not answering the exact question. “To what extent do you agree?” is not “discuss both views.” Read the prompt twice and underline the task words.
- No clear position. Task 2 rewards a stance held from the first paragraph to the last. Sitting on the fence caps Task Response.
- Memorised phrases. Examiners spot template intros and “on the other hand” padding instantly; they lift nothing and can lower Coherence.
- Complex sentences you can’t control. One accurate complex sentence beats three ambitious ones riddled with errors.
- Under length. Below 150/250 words you are penalised on Task Response before anything else is read.
Honest, high-leverage tips
- Plan for five minutes before you write Task 2 — a two-line paragraph map is the cheapest coherence gain there is.
- Give every body paragraph a topic sentence that states its single idea, then evidence, then a link back to your position.
- Vary vocabulary for precision, not for show: the right common word beats the wrong rare one every time.
- Leave three minutes to proofread for articles, prepositions and subject–verb agreement — the errors that quietly cap Grammatical Accuracy.
Train it — don’t just read about it
Paste a paragraph and see the four descriptors it’s judged on, with one concrete fix for each — instantly, in your browser.