IELTS Writing band 7 tips

A band 7 Writing answer does three things well. It answers the task directly, it organises ideas so the reader can follow them without effort, and it uses vocabulary and grammar accurately enough that meaning is never in doubt. Task 2 carries more weight than Task 1, so it deserves more of your practice time. The checklist below covers both tasks and the habits that most often hold candidates at band 6.

To see how the criteria are applied, read the writing band descriptors in plain language before you start. A band 8 Task 2 essay is also a useful benchmark for paragraph length and control.

Task 1: write the overview before the details

An Academic Task 1 answer describes a chart, graph, table, process or map. A common reason for a band 6 score is the absence of a clear overview. Without one, the examiner sees a list of figures and no main message.

• Write one or two sentences that state the main trends or the main features.
• Place the overview after the introduction, or as its own paragraph before the details.
• Choose three or four key features for the body, and do not describe every figure.
• Use approximate figures where exact numbers are not needed.

Before: "The chart shows car sales in four countries between 2015 and 2020. In 2015, Country A sold 300,000 cars. In 2020, this figure was 450,000."

After: "Overall, car sales in Country A rose steadily between 2015 and 2020. The 2020 total was 50 per cent higher than the 2015 figure, and the increase was consistent in every year shown."

A band 8 Task 1 sample shows how the overview sits above the detail. If you want to see one chart described in full, the university completion rates answer is a good example.

Task 2: take a clear position

Task 2 requires at least 250 words. Examiners look for a clear answer to the question, stated early and kept consistent through the essay. Even in a discussion essay, a reader should know where you stand by the end.

Before: "There are many advantages and disadvantages of working from home. Some people like it and some people do not. It depends on the person and the job."

After: "On balance, working from home benefits most employees, because it saves commuting time and gives people more control over their schedules. However, employers need clear rules on communication, or the arrangement can weaken teamwork."

Paragraph control

Each body paragraph should develop one main idea. A reliable structure is: topic sentence, explanation, example, and a link back to the position. Check that every sentence supports the topic of its paragraph. If a sentence introduces a new idea, it probably belongs in a new paragraph.

• The topic sentence states the main idea.
• The explanation shows why the idea is true.
• The example makes the idea concrete, using a realistic case from a city, a sector or a family.

The renewable energy adoption essay shows this structure across several body paragraphs.

Cohesion without mechanical linkers

Band 6 answers often begin every paragraph or sentence with "Firstly", "Secondly", "In addition" or "Furthermore". Examiners notice when linkers are used mechanically. Cohesion depends on how ideas connect: through reference words, repetition of key terms and varied sentence structure.

Before: "Firstly, public transport reduces pollution. Secondly, it saves money. Finally, it is safer."

After: "Public transport reduces pollution, and this is one reason governments encourage its use. It also saves money for households, since a monthly pass can cost less than running a car. A further benefit is safety, because fewer vehicles on the road means fewer opportunities for collisions."

Vocabulary precision

Band 7 needs vocabulary that expresses meaning precisely. It does not need rare words. The common error is a general word where a precise one is available, or a collocation (a common word partner) that sounds wrong to a native reader.

• "The problem is very big" becomes "The problem is severe" or "The problem is widespread".
• "Do a decision" becomes "make a decision".
• "Increase the awareness" becomes "raise awareness".

Learn words in phrases. For each new word, write down two or three partner words and one example sentence, then check the pattern in a dictionary.

Grammatical range with accuracy

Band 7 needs a mix of simple and complex sentences, with complex structures that are mostly accurate. Do not force grammar you cannot control. A clear sentence with no errors scores better than an ambitious one that breaks down halfway.

Before: "If the government will invest in trains, people will not use cars."

After: "If governments invested more in rail networks, fewer people would rely on private cars."

Once the conditional is secure, add a relative clause or a passive where it fits: "Many students who study abroad return with skills that employers value."

The last three minutes: proofread

Keep three minutes at the end for a short, focused check. Look for:

• Word count: at least 150 words for Task 1 and at least 250 words for Task 2.
• Verb tenses, especially in Task 1 when describing past data.
• Subject and verb agreement, plurals and articles.
• Whether the Task 1 overview and the Task 2 position are both clearly stated.
• Spelling of key words taken from the question.

Do not rewrite whole sentences at the end. Correct the errors you can see quickly and leave the rest. For a wider view of the route from band 6 to band 7, see the band 6 to 7 guide.

Timed practice is the fastest way to build these habits. IELTS A has practice tests for all four skills, so you can practise Writing under the same time limits you will face in the test.