ielts essay british council

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• Free online IELTS Academic Writing practice tests - paper

IELTS practice Academic Writing test - Task 1

How to approach academic writing task 1.

In the IELTS Academic Writing test, you will have one hour to complete both of the two set writing tasks. Keep an eye on the time it takes you to complete practice Tasks 1 and 2 to make sure you don’t go too far over, and to use as a benchmark for how long you can expect each task to take you.

In the actual test, you will move from the first to the second task without a break. However, while practising, you may wish to reflect on the outcomes of practice Task 1 using the model answer provided before moving on to practice Task 2. Or you may wish to complete them both before looking at the model answers to give you a more accurate sense of timing.

An easy reminder…

Q: How long should I spend on IELTS Writing Task 1?

A: We suggest 20 minutes – saving 40 minutes for Task 2.

Q: How many words for IELTS Writing Task 1?

A: 150 words is about the right length, but don’t be afraid to go a little over.

Q: Should I be formal or conversational in style?

A: You should write in a formal style, suited to an academic environment.

Q: What are the do’s and don’ts in IELTS Writing task 1?

A: Do pay attention to time - task 1 is worth one third of the total marks (while task 2 is worth two thirds), Don’t let nervousness stop you from trying your best.

Get more tips to help you prepare for the writing tasks

Task 1 – Take a look at the chart below and perform the task as outlined:

This graph shows the proportion of four different materials that were recycled from 1982 to 2010 in a particular country.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, making comparisons where relevant.

What should I do next?

Once you’ve finished, you can download the model answer for Writing Task 1 and see how your work compares.

 This sample offers a useful guide for how to structure your answer for IELTS writing task 1, as well as the style of writing expected.  A good way to improve is to reflect on how your answer compares to the model answer – and, of course, keep practicing.

If you want to see an example of an actual answer sheet for the IELTS Academic Writing test (‘on paper’ version), you can download a sample copy below.

• IELTS practice Academic Writing test - Task 2

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10 steps to writing high-scoring IELTS essays

Date Published

01 February 2023

• This article was first published on IELTS.IDP.com

Whether you take the General Training or Academic IELTS test, the second writing task is writing an essay in response to a problem or argument. Here are 10 easy steps, with lots of tips, to guide you on how to write high-scoring essays.

How is the IELTS essay component marked?

Fairness and accuracy are critically important when marking IELTS writing tasks . Your essay will be marked by at least two experienced IELTS examiners on the following criteria:

• Task response - Whether you answered the question fully and supported your answer well.
• Coherence and cohesion - How well you linked your ideas together.
• Lexical resource - Whether you used a wide range of vocabulary correctly and appropriately.
• Grammatical range and accuracy - How many grammatical structures you used accurately and appropriately.

Each of these criteria is worth 25 percent of your total score for the essay writing task. Both of your writing tasks are used to calculate your overall writing band score.

How to write high-scoring essays in 10 easy steps

Step one: plan your time.

The Writing test (consisting of Writing tasks 1 and 2) takes approximately 60 minutes. Plan to spend around 20 minutes on your first task, and 40 minutes on your essay task. A sample plan for your time might be:

• 5 to 10 minutes reading the essay question and planning your answer
• 15 to 20 minutes writing your first draft
• 10 minutes proofreading and editing your essay

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Step two: Read the question

While you may be anxious to jump straight into writing, make sure you take the time to carefully read the essay question. If you misunderstand the question, you risk writing an essay that does not address the issues properly which will lower your score.

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Step three: Highlight the issues to address

There will be multiple issues that you will need to address in your essay. Addressing each issue individually is key to achieving a high essay score. Highlight each individual issue that you will need to address.

The A to Z of IELTS: E is for Essays

Step four: Outline your response

Create an outline of how you will respond to the issues in your essay. This will serve as your ‘blueprint’ when you write your first draft. As a general rule your essay should have:

• An introduction stating what you will talk about
• Two or three body paragraphs , each addressing one issue or idea
• A conclusion summing up what was discussed in the essay

Make sure you note which idea or issue you will address in each paragraph. Check that the issues you highlighted are all accounted for in your outline.

Step five: Expand on your ideas

Write some notes about any key points or ideas you’d like to include in each paragraph. When you’re writing your first draft, these notes will help to make sure you don’t forget any ideas you want to include.

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Step six: Plan how you will connect your ideas

Connecting your ideas clearly and correctly is critical to achieving a high essay score. Try to use a range of linking words to make your essay easy to read. You can use connecting devices and phrases to:

List connected ideas

• ‘Firstly, secondly, thirdly’
• ‘Furthermore’

Provide more information

Compare ideas.

• ‘On the other hand’
• ‘Alternatively’

Don’t fall into the trap of trying to put a linking word in every sentence. Essays will score higher when the writer uses linking words only where necessary and appropriate.

Step seven: Write your first draft

Now that you’ve planned your essay, it’s time to write your first draft. Follow the outline you’ve created and expand on the notes and ideas you included there.

• Avoid informal language unless it is appropriate.
• Avoid spelling and grammatical errors where possible.
• Use a mix of sentence structures such as simple sentences, complex sentences and compound sentences.

How to boost your IELTS Writing score

Step eight: Proofread your essay

When you have completed the first draft of your essay, it’s important to proofread it. Read your essay from start to finish.

You can read it silently, but it may help to read it out loud if you can do so without disturbing others. Make a mental note or mark your paper anywhere that you may need to fix an issue.

How to access FREE official IELTS mock tests

Step nine: Edit your essay

Carefully go through the issues you noted while proofreading. Edit or rewrite these until they look and sound correct. Examples of issues and how to edit them may include:

• The sentence is too long. A sentence is probably too long if you need to take a breath in the middle of reading it. Try splitting this up into smaller sentences.
• A sentence sounds strange when you read it out loud. Try using different words or punctuation until it sounds right. It may need to be connected to another sentence.
• The same word appears many times. Think about any other words you could use instead.

There is more than one main idea in each paragraph. Move any unrelated sentences to the correct paragraph. Each paragraph should address one issue only.

IELTS Writing: How to organise your responses

Step 10: Proofread your essay again

After your edits and before submitting your essay , give it one final proofread. Make sure you have:

• Included all the points you highlighted in step three
• Followed your outline from step four
• Used good connecting words from step six
• Fixed any errors or issues in step nine

IELTS Writing: 8 steps towards a band 8

Why choose IELTS?

IELTS is widely recognised by businesses and universities globally, and is the only English language competency test approved by all four of the following countries:

• New Zealand

With convenient computer and paper based test options, your IELTS test can be completed in a way that you’re most comfortable with. If you’re in a hurry, you could even have your test results back within two to five days!

Also, the IELTS Familiarisation test is designed to give test takers an idea of what to expect on the actual IELTS test. It includes sample questions from different part of the test, such as Listening, Reading, and Writing. Set yourself up for success and explore our extensive library of preparation materials today.

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Take your IELTS Academic test

Ielts academic – get ready for a higher education environment.

The IELTS Academic test measures whether you have the level of English language proficiency needed for an academic, higher education environment. It reflects some of the features of academic language and assesses whether you are ready to begin studying or training.

Take this test if you want to:

• study at either undergraduate or postgraduate level anywhere in the world
• apply for Tier 4 Student Visa at a university that is a Tier 4 Sponsor in the UK
• work in a professional organisation in an English speaking country. 

You can take the test on paper or on computer.

Fee for IELTS Academic: Rs 8,400

What does the fee include? Our IELTS test fee includes exclusive preparation materials, free practice tests and much more . 

Duration: 2 hours and 45 minutes (Listening, Reading and Writing) + 11-14 minutes (Speaking)

Format: There are four sections to the test: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. When you book your IELTS test with the British Council, the test will take place in an official British Council IELTS test centre, whether you take the test on paper or on a computer.

If you take your test on paper, your Speaking test may be offered:

• on the same day as the other sections of the test
• a day before (on Friday, when the main test day is on Saturday)
• a day after (on Friday, when the main test date is on Thursday).

You will receive notification about your Speaking test date a week in advance. If you take your test on a computer, you have a free choice of Speaking test dates.

With IELTS Online , you can take your test at home or any private location with a stable internet connection. 

If you choose this option, you will write the answers to the Listening, Reading and Writing sections on your computer. The Speaking test will be conducted with a trained IELTS Examiner via an online video call.

IELTS Academic test Part 1: Listening Tasks

Duration:  30 minutes plus 10 minutes to transfer your responses to the answer sheet

Format:  Four audio recordings in varying accents. 

You will write your answers using: 

• multiple choice
• diagram labeling
• sentence completion.

You will listen to four recordings of native English speakers and then write your answers to a series of questions.

• Recording 1 – a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context.
• Recording 2 – a monologue set in an everyday social context, e.g. a speech about local facilities.
• Recording 3 – a conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context, e.g. a university tutor and a student discussing an assignment.
• Recording 4 – a monologue on an academic subject, e.g. a university lecture.

Assessors will be looking for evidence of your ability to understand the main ideas and detailed factual information, the opinions and attitudes of speakers, the purpose of a word and evidence of your ability to follow the development of ideas.

IELTS Academic test Part 2: Reading Tasks

Duration:  60 minutes

• Three long reading passages with tasks (including diagrams, graphs or illustrations
• Texts range from descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical.

The Reading section consists of 40 questions, designed to test a wide range of reading skills. These include skim reading, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, understanding logical arguments and recognising writers' opinions, attitudes and purpose.

This section includes three long texts which range from factual information to discussion pieces and analysis. These are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. They have been selected for a non-specialist audience but are appropriate for people entering university courses or seeking professional registration.

IELTS Academic test Part 3: Writing Tasks

• One written task to describe, explain or summarise text or diagrams (minimum 150 words)
• One essay task (minimum 250 words).

Topics are of general interest to, and suitable for, test takers entering undergraduate and postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration. There are two tasks:

• Task 1 – you will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in your own words. You may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object or event.
• Task 2 – you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. 

Responses to both tasks must be in a formal style.

IELTS Academic test Part 4: Speaking Tasks

Duration:  10 - 14 minutes

• Face-to-face interview with your examiner including short questions about familiar topics and speaking in detail about one topic.
• Please note: depending on the test centre location, you may be required to book the Speaking section of your test on a different day.

The speaking section assesses your use of spoken English. Every test is recorded.

• Part 1 - the examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between four and five minutes.
• Part 2  - you will be given a card which asks you to talk about a particular topic. You will have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. The examiner will then ask one or two questions on the same topic.
• Part 3 - you will be asked further questions about the topic in Part 2. These will give you the opportunity to discuss more abstract ideas and issues. This part of the test lasts between four and five minutes.

Some of our IELTS test centres are delivering the IELTS Speaking test via video calls. This means greater flexibility in delivering IELTS Speaking tests, along with increased availability.

You will take the Video-Call Speaking test at an official IELTS test centre with the same high standard of identity verification. The test will be exactly the same as the in-person Speaking test in terms of content, scoring, timing, question format and security arrangements.  

Delivered by an IELTS Speaking Examiner, the Video-Call Speaking test will maintain the face-to-face features of the in-person Speaking test.

Please find more about Video-call speaking test  HERE  or contact your local test centre.

Book your IELTS Academic test

Success starts with IELTS. If your goal is to study at university or work in an English speaking country, then IELTS academic is the right test for you.

At the British Council, we are committed to providing you with the support you need to enable you to do well in the test. When you book with us, you get free unlimited access to Road to IELTS Last Minute course. This includes nine videos giving advice and tutorials, 100 interactive activities and two IELTS Academic practice tests for each of the four skills.

Find an IELTS Academic test date

Before booking your test, make sure to check which test you need with the organisations you are applying to.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics

Home >> IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics

17th Dec 2021 |

By British Council Canada

One the most challenging parts of the IELTS test is the writing section.  However, you do not need to fear it! With regular practice and an understanding of the types of questions that you may get, you can get the level you need!

What is the IELTS writing task 2?

If you are taking the IELTS Academic or General Training, the IELTS writing task 2 follows the same format.  You must write an informal essay of at least 250 words.  You have 1 hour for the whole writing test, so it is recommended that you spend around 40 minutes on task 2 (remember that you have to do task 1, which you should spend around 20 minutes on!).

What are examiners going to assess me on?

Your writing will be assessed on four key areas

• Task Fulfillment – did you write 250 words? Did you cover all parts of the task?
• Lexical Resource – Are you using a variety of vocabulary? Are you spelling words correctly?
• Grammatical Range and – Are you using your verb tenses correctly and appropriately? Do you show a range in your grammar (i.e. a variety of grammatical sentences).
• Coherence & Cohesion – Does your writing make sense? Is it easy to read?

To find out more, read the IELTS writing task 2 assessment criteria.

What are some of the IELTS writing task 2 topics?

There are a variety of topics that you may get in the test, but you will never need specific technical knowledge in order to answer the question. Here are some example topics and questions:

Before you read the topics, note that:

• You will only get one question in the test. You do not have an option to choose from multiple questions.

Government investment in the arts, such as music and theatre, is a waste of money. Governments must invest this money in public services instead.

To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Many old buildings protected by law are part of a nation’s history. Some people think they should be knocked down and replaced by new ones.

How important is it to maintain old buildings?

Should history stand in the way of progress?

Some people believe the aim of university education is to help graduates get better jobs. Others believe there are much wider benefits of university education for both individuals and society.

Discuss both views and give your opinion

Global warming is one of the most serious issues that the world is facing today.

What are the causes of global warming and what measures can governments and individuals take to tackle the issue?

Many people leave their home country to study abroad nowadays.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?

See more IELTS sample topics and answers

Tips for IELTS writing task 2

• Make sure you read the questions carefully before you start writing. If you have to give advantages AND disadvantages, make sure you have done both.  If you have to give your opinion, make sure you have clearly stated it.
• Every question has the instructions: “ Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words”. This is important. If you are providing a point of view, make sure you also provide a reason for this view. Also, you will need to support your view with   The example does not have to be technical or complicated.  You can use a personal example from your experience.
• Try to have an introduction & conclusion. This will make your work clear and easy to read, which will help with your coherence & cohesion scores.
• Spend about 5 minutes planning your answer and about 5 minutes checking your response.

Putting it all together

There are no specific rules as to how many paragraphs, you need to write, but for this example, we will look at a four-paragraph structure.

Sample question:

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

Paragraph Plan

Paragraph 1: Introduction

Paragraph 2: Body paragraph 1 (Advantages)

Paragraph 3: Body paragraph 2 (Disadvantages)

Paragraph 4: Conclusion

Sample answer:

Nowadays, it is common for many people to travel to answer country to continue their studies.  This essay will explore some of the benefits and drawbacks of this recent trend.

Studying overseas has a number of advantages. Firstly, it may give students access to knowledge and facilities such as laboratories and libraries which are not available in their home country. Furthermore, by looking abroad students may find a wider range of courses than those offered in their country’s universities, and therefore one which fits more closely to their particular requirements.  For example, my brother moved to the United States last year to study a specialized law degree which was only available in that country.

However, studying in another country can present some difficulties. To begin, international study is extremely expensive, In addition to the high tuition costs, the international student has additional expenses, such as accommodation, transport and reading material.  Also, being in a foreign country can lead to a sense of isolation and being away from loved ones can be mentally difficult.  This can result in a student wishing to return to their home country before they complete their studies. For example, a few of my friends recently returned from the UK as they were not happy living there.  As a result, they did not complete their studies despite having paid a large amount in student tuition fees.

In conclusion, studying abroad has both benefits and drawbacks.  On the one hand, it gives opportunities to people to advance their skills and perhaps their future careers.  However, it can be expensive and emotionally draining.  In my view, I believe studying abroad is worthwhile and that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

(280 words)

Practice makes perfect!

The most important thing is to practice.  This is the key to success. Best of luck!

Want to improve your general English? Visit the British Council Learn English page

Want more IELTS practice? Visit our IELTS preparation page

Ready to register for your IELTS Test? Visit our IELTS registration page.

Visit the IELTS Canada homepage to find out more.

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35 Sample Band 9 IELTS Essays

Take a look at these 35 sample Band 9 IELTS essays for writing task 2 of the IELTS exam . Task 2 can cover a wide range of essay topics for the IELTS writing task section of the test, so preparation is key. Use the following samples when preparing your IELTS essays to see how close you are to a band 9!

These IELTS band 9 essay samples will help you highlight your mistakes and improve your writing band 9 level.

See the below IELTS essay writing sample questions and answers to practice for your IELTS writing task 2 .

You will find the IELTS essay questions and answers categorised by the following essay types.

• Do you agree/disagree
• Discuss both views and give your opinion
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages
• Discuss the problems and possible solutions
• Is this a positive or a negative development

For a FREE ebook of our top 10 IELTS Band 9 essay samples in PDF, click here!

1. agree or disagree .

• Some people believe that technology has made man more social. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
• Some people think that a person improves their intellectual skills more when doing group activities. To what extent do you agree? Use specific details and examples to explain your view.
• In some countries, the number of shootings increase because many people have guns at home. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
• Some people believe that international sporting events are the ideal opportunity to show the world the qualities of the hosting nation. Others believe that these events are mainly a large unjustifiable expense. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Crime is a big problem in the world; many believe that nothing can be done to prevent it. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give your own opinion.
• Doing an enjoyable activity with a child can develop better skills and more creativity than reading. To what extent do you agree? Use reasons and specific examples to explain your answer.
• Improvements in health, education and trade are essential for the development of poorer nations. However, the governments of richer nations should take more responsibility for helping the poorer nations in such areas. To what extent do you agree?
• Advances in health and biology and other areas of society in the last 100 years have transformed the way we live as well as postponing the day we die. There is no better time to be alive than now. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
• The world is consuming natural resources faster than they can be renewed. Therefore, it is important that products are made to last. Governments should discourage people from constantly buying more up-to-date or fashionable products. To what extent do you agree with this statement?
• Some people believe that children’s leisure activities must be educational, otherwise, they are a complete waste of time. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your experience.
• Many governments in the world spend large amounts of money on art, which helps to improve the quality of people’s lives. However, governments should spend money on other things rather than art. Do you agree or disagree? Give your opinion.

2. Discuss both views and give your point of view?

• NEW SEPTEMBER 2022: Some people believe that professionals such as doctors and engineers should be required to work in the country where they did their training. Others believe they should be free to work in another country if they wish. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
• Nowadays most green energy is becoming evermore prevalent in both developed and developing countries. Some argue they greatly reduce costs and are better for the environment, others believe they are a serious threat to energy security. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Some people are of the opinion that children should be rewarded for good behaviour. Others think they should be punished for bad behaviour. Discuss both views and give your personal opinion and reasons.
• Some people think that keeping pets is good for children while others think it is dangerous and unhealthy. Which opinion do you agree with? Discuss both options and give examples .
• Some people think that secondary school children should study international news as one of the school subjects. Other people think that it is a waste of valuable school time. What do you think? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
• Some products can be made quickly by a machine. Other items take a long time to be made by hand. As a buyer, which do you prefer and why? Give specific details and examples in your answer.
• Some people think women should be given equal chances to work and excel in their careers. Others believe that a woman’s role should be limited to taking care of the house and children. Which opinion do you agree with and why? Include specific details and examples to support your choice.
• Most schools are planning to replace sports and exercise classes with more academic sessions. How will this change affect children’s lives in your view?
• Some people think that schools have to be more entertaining, while others think that their sole purpose is to educate. Which do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
• Some people think that it is acceptable to use animals in medical research for the benefit of human beings, while other people argue that it is wrong.
• Should humans adapt to technology or should technology be adapted to us? Is technology making us intellectually weaker or more intelligent?
• Do copyright laws limit creativity or reward it? Would society function better without such rules and regulations?
• Should education and healthcare be free of charge and funded by the government, or should it be the responsibility of the people to pay for these services? Discuss the above and give your opinion using examples.

3. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages

• Is it good for children to start using computers from an early age and spend long hours on them? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
• Some people think high school graduates should travel or work for a period of time instead of going directly to study at university. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

4. Two questions, for example: Why is this happening? Is this a positive or negative development?

• These days some people spend a lot of money on tickets to go to sporting or events. Do you think this is a positive or negative development ?
• Some people like to travel outside their country. Others would rather travel to tourist spots in their own country first, before travelling abroad. Which do you prefer to do and why? Include specific details and examples to support your choice.
• Women can do everything that men can and they even do it better. They also can do many things that men cannot. But it is a fact that their work is not appreciated as much as men’s, although they have to sacrifice a lot for their family and career… It is said: “A woman’s place is in the home.” What do you think?

5. Discuss the problems and possible solutions OR discuss the causes and what problems it causes?

• People are using a lot of online language translation apps. Do the benefits of this outweigh the disadvantages?
• Obesity is a serious problem in many countries, especially in rich countries. Discuss ways to solve the problem. Provide specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
• Today, the quality of life in large cities is decreasing.  Discuss the causes and solutions.
• Research shows that global warming is caused by human activity. What are the possible effects of climate change and what can governments and individuals do to reduce these?
• In many countries, recently young single people have been living far from their parents, from the time they began studies or work and until they married. Do you think there are more advantages or disadvantages to this trend?
• Traditional schooling is out of date, boring and stifles a child’s natural talents, various professionals have pushed for an education revolution. Are there alternatives in the education system? Is traditional education doing more harm than good?

Take a look at some of our writing tasks to help you prepare for your IELTS exam , and if you need more help, we have a course that is guaranteed to help you pass IELTS. Practicing IELTS writing task 2 essays is very important for your exam preparation.

Video: IELTS Band 9 Writing Sample – Body Paragraphs

Click here for a FREE ebook of our top 10 IELTS Band 9 samples for writing task 2 in PDF,

For more preparation, take a look at our latest tutorials:.

• Band 9 Model Essay and Vocabulary-Cryptocurrency
• Sample task 2 questions
• Sample Band 9 Essay: Children and Education
• Sample Answers: discuss the advantages and disadvantages
• How to get ideas for task 2
• Full guide to academic collocations
• How to write a agree/disagree essay
• IELTS Writing Task 2: advantages and disadvantages questions

For a FREE ebook of our top 10 sample essays, click here!

Enhance Your Essays with Our Efficient Online IELTS Essay Checker

Practicing for IELTS Writing Task 2? You’re in the right place. But after you practice, how can you know if your essay is good? We have a tool to help! It’s called the online IELTS essay checker .

You can find it here . This tool is very easy to use. You write your essay, and our tool checks it. It tells you what mistakes you made and how to fix them. This means you can learn and get better faster. The best part? You save money.

Many students pay a lot for IELTS classes or teachers to check their essays. But our online IELTS essay checker is cheaper and works fast. You don’t have to wait! So, after you read the sample essays on this page, use our online IELTS essay checker .

It can help you see where you can do better. And it’s a good way to get ready for the IELTS exam without spending a lot of money. So, if you want to write better essays and save money, try our online IELTS essay checker .

We made it for students like you. We hope it helps you get the score you want.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How to score band 9 in ielts writing.

You can score band 9 in IELTS writing by following these steps:

• Make sure you understand the question and answer what is being asked.
• Plan out your essay before you start writing
• Write your essay, review it and then “rewrite” it .
• Get feedback on your essays and find out where you may be losing points.
• Improve your language skills.

Read this post for more tips.

How do you write a 9 band essay?

Practice each essay type and be clear about the criteria for a perfect score. Basically, you need clear formal paragraphing, an essay that ‘flows’ logically and stays focused on the question, which is answered fully with high-level vocabulary and near-perfect grammar.

How can I get 9 in IELTS writing?

Look at model answers and memorize phrases that work for most essays – ‘In the modern world’ is a great way to start. A focus on global issues and international examples rounds out your answer and practice timed essays before the test.

Can you get 10 in IELTS?

No, the top band score is a 9. Be realistic though, some of the best universities in the world require a band 7 or 7.5 for their most challenging courses so a perfect score isn’t necessary in most situations.

British Council India

Improving the ielts writing test scores, by india blog team, 9 june 2021 - 1:59pm.

About the Writing Test

The IELTS test has two modules: The Academic Writing Module and the General Training Module depending on whether the candidate is applying for further studies or immigration.

The IETLS Writing Test lasts one hour, and within that time the candidate needs to complete two writing tasks.

• In the IELTS Academic Writing Module (AW) for  Task 1 , the candidate needs to analyse a diagram, map, graph, or table and accurately describe and summarise this visual information. The allotted time is 20 minutes, and the expected length is about 150 words.
• In the  IELTS Academic Writing Module  (AW) for Task 2 , the candidate is expected to write a discursive essay where they may be asked to evaluate a problem and provide a solution, compare, and contrast different ideas, or even challenge an idea/argument. The total time allotted is 40 minutes and the minimum length required is 250 words.

The IELTS General Training Writing Module (GT) also comprises two tasks.

• The IELTS General Training Writing Module (AW) for Task  1 is of 20 minutes duration, is about responding to a given situation/problem by writing a letter in which the candidate is asked to request information or explain/resolve a situation.
• The IELTS General Training Writing Module (AW) for Task 2 is allotted 40 minutes and here the candidate is expected to write a composition that is similar to the essay for the Academic Writing Task.

Assessment Criteria

To crack the test to the best of their ability, the candidates need to thoroughly understand the IELTS assessment criteria . This will also help them in their practice and preparation for the test.

The assessment follows the criteria given below:

• Task Achievement /Task Response
• Coherence and Cohesion
• Lexical Resources
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy

The weightage of Writing Task 2 is twice as much as for Writing Task 1.

Now let us look in detail at the assessment criteria:

• Task Achievement refers to the completeness, precision, and appropriacy with which the candidate attempts the Task. Since Task 1 AW module presents a visual input, it requires the candidate to refer closely to the input diagram/graph/table and use the information to answer the specific question(s) asked, without omitting any relevant data or adding any additional information.

  The IELTS General Training module requires the candidate to request information/explain a situation or problem/complain about a service/suggest or recommend something with a short letter.  All parts of the question/key bullet points must be answered clearly and appropriately, giving sufficient details for each part.

Task 2 is along similar lines for both the Academic and General Training IELTS test. The candidate must fully address all parts of the task and present a well-developed position in answer to the question with relevant information well supported by examples. The writing must have a seamless flow to it, so that the reader effortlessly comprehends the arguments.

• Coherence and Cohesion:

Coherence refers to the way information is presented and arranged. The candidate must ensure that their ideas are organized in clear paragraphs to enable the reader to follow the argument easily.  Each paragraph should have one main idea supported by an explanation and example. Cohesion refers to how smoothly the sentences connect to one another so the use of cohesive devices such as, First , … Secondly , … Furthermore , for instance, etc. is important throughout the answer. A lack of cohesive devices often makes the message difficult to follow.

This criterion refers to the effectiveness and range of vocabulary that the candidates have at their disposal, in relation to the specific questions being answered. They will be judged on the appropriateness and correctness of the lexical choices rather than on the use of ‘so-called’ difficult words. So, do watch out for spelling errors when you write.

This criterion assesses the candidate’s ability to write both simple sentences and a range of complex sentences with accuracy, backed of course by correct punctuation. If you wish to get a high band, then do ensure you are using a range of complex structures such as conditionals, relative clauses and so on accurately.

You might wonder what a simple sentence is, a simple sentence has finite one verb, e.g ., I like early mornings.

Complex sentences are those that have one or more than one finite verb and have a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses, for example, Early morning is the time when I like to be by myself (subordinate-- adverb clause of time); If had seen you waiting at the bus stop , I would definitely have given you a lift in my car (subordinate--if conditional clause). If you wish to know more about different sentence types, please refer to LearnEnglish.britishcouncil.org or any grammar book by Raymond Murphy.

  How to improve your score  from Band 5 to Band 7  for the IELTS Writing module? Here are some tips:

i) For IELTS Academic module Task 1 -   it is important to give an overview of the main information in the graph. You will not be awarded a high Task Achievement Score if your answer does not include an overview statement or two. You need to study the graph/table/chart carefully and describe all the most significant and relevant information contained in the visual. You must point out the key similarities and differences in the visual. Your answer must accurately describe the information presented in the graph. Do not draw any conclusions or include information that is not supported by the visual , even though you may have specialist knowledge of the subject. You must write at least about 150 words. Fewer words than that will not reflect the information that is required of you. Finally, do not use bullet points or numbers as you will be penalized if you do so.

 ii) If it is a General Training Writing Module Task 1 , all parts of the question must be answered in the correct style---informal if the letter is to be addressed to family and friends; semi-formal if it is a work colleague and formal if it is for a business or newspaper. All letters must have a closing statement and an appropriate end to the letter such as ‘Yours Sincerely’ in a formal letter.

 iii) For Task 2 of both the IELTS Academic and General training tests, it is important to plan before you begin to write. If you don’t do this, your answer will be disorganized and will lack coherence. Remember, in most questions you are asked to give your own opinion and also examples from your personal experiences . Make sure you include these aspects to obtain a good score.

All essays include a body, middle, and conclusion. Often, we want an effective beginning and waste a lot of time trying to write an impactful introduction. I would suggest avoiding wasting time on this. Once you have your ideas planned out, begin to write immediately. One way to start is to restate the question in your own words .

For the body, it is important to produce a balanced answer that looks at both sides of the issue . You need to make sure that your ideas are organized into separate paragraphs. Inadequate or no paragraphs will lead to a score of 5, even if your answer is well articulated and complete.  When you come to the end of your writing, you need to write a conclusion. Your conclusion should be a brief summary of your arguments. This would also be a good place to give your own opinion .

 iv) Your vocabulary should reflect effectiveness, precision, and a sense of style rather than the use of “so-called” difficult words. To display a wide range of vocabulary, it is imperative that you do not merely pick words/phrases from the question but practice the skill of paraphrasing. Nor must you repeatedly reiterate the same words. You must use synonyms instead. A good technique to practice would be to pick out some common everyday words and look up a thesaurus to make a list of synonyms against the word. For example, for the word - going up – there are many synonyms. Please see the list below:

• Verbs: rise, increase, grow, go up, improve, jump, surge, shoot up, soar, rocket.
• Nouns: a rise, an increase, growth, an upward/rising/increasing trend, an improvement, a jump, a surge

Please ensure that you avoid spelling mistakes, because if they are frequent and impact communication, you are likely to be penalized.

 v) We have already told you the difference between a simple and complex sentence and shown you examples of complex sentences. To earn a really good score, you must not only use complex sentences but display a variety and range of complex sentences in an effortless manner. 

 vii) Make sure that you leave time in the end to revise and proofread your writing. First, you need to check your ideas against your plan. Did you include all your ideas? Are your ideas well organized and connected logically?  You need to make sure that your language has both flow, accuracy, and appropriacy. Also, check for careless spelling mistakes and punctuation errors. If a word is used several times in a paragraph, use synonyms instead. Be aware of mistakes in tenses, articles, and prepositions. You need to know your weak areas and practice them. Of course, your writing must be neat and legible.  

viii) Do not anticipate questions and learn them by heart. You will receive a very low score if you do this.

If you carefully follow our suggestions, you are likely to get a good band. We do recommend that you practice doing several reliable mock-tests even if you feel you have an excellent command of English. Each Test has different expectations and test-preparedness is the key.  

  Good luck with your preparation and for your test.   

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IELTS Band 7 Essay Samples

These are IELTS band 7 essay samples that have been given grades (of 7 or 7.5) and basic comments on the score for each criteria by an experienced IELTS instructor. 

View other samples:

• Band 8 Samples
• Band 7 Samples
• Band 6 Samples
• Band 5 Samples
• Band 4 Samples

Topic: Migration to Cities (Band 7)

Young people are leaving their homes in rural areas to work or study in cities. 

What are the reasons?

Do the advantages of this development outweigh the drawbacks?

The comparison of standards of the cities and small town or villages has been always a debate. Recently, teenagers choose to live in the cities rather than their home villages because of school or job opportunities. This essay will discuss multiple reasons behind this trend and explain why the advantages of being in a city do indeed outweigh its drawbacks.

There are several reasons to desire living in urban areas. Firstly, it gives people an opportunity to study in better schools which cannot be found in rural areas. Since in the modern world education means very much for people’s future, it is crucial to have higher education degrees for those individuals to find well-paid jobs. In addition to that, city life provides people with completely different experiences than their home villages. Thanks to the schools, work or social gathering places, they get to meet a greater number of people from all around the country compared to their rural towns which is crucial for one’s personal development. Lastly, in the cities, not only they get bigger number of job options, but also they can earn larger amount of money. It is very well know that job market is significantly limited in the villages also the current jobs barely pay enough.

It is clearly seen that benefits of leaving villages outweigh its few number of deficits. It is worth to mention that people face some issues, such as being away from their extended family, more competitive and challenging job market, and substantially more expensive living cost, when they move to the cities. Advantages like learning and exploring new experiences, getting a better education leading to a better paid job and having an interesting career, however, surpass the number of the drawbacks of this development.

To conclude, there are various reasons for young generation to leave their homes to live in the cities and this movement’s benefits easily outweigh its disadvantages.

Task Response: 7

The question is answered and ideas are supported. The benefits have been discussed in body paragraph one - the drawbacks would need to be given a bit more discussion in the second body paragraph in order to achieve 8 or 9. As the question clearly indicates that there are drawbacks, these should be given adequate attention. 

Coherence & Cohesion: 7

This IELTS band 7 essay sample is well-organised with a mix of transition signals and some good use of referencing and substitution. Slightly too many transitions in initial position in body paragraph one.

Lexical Resource: 7

There is a good mix of relevant topic related vocabulary of reasonably high level and a good awareness of collocation. More uncommon words and phrases would be needed for a band 8.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: 7

Good range and mix of complex sentences and forms, though some grammar errors are evident, particularly in the latter part of the essay.

Topic: Lack of Leisure Time (Band 7.5)

In some countries young people have little leisure time and are under a lot of pressure to work hard on their studies.

What do you think are the causes of this?

What solutions can you suggest?

There is no doubt that having some leisure time during studying reenergizes the brain to continue working efficiently. However, students in some countries are under extreme pressure to study hard and therefore, they have minimal leisure time. The possible reasons for this trend as well as suggested solutions will be discussed in details.

One possible reason for students to face a lot of pressure to work hard on their education with no time off would be the high cost of education. For instance, expensive courses put a financial burden on families and students which forces the students to try hard to complete these courses successfully and quickly. As a result, these students ignore the need for some spare time and focus on their study work. Another possible reason would be the amount of study materials which is becoming extensive for a short semester. Consequently, this pressure leaves no choice for students except to study as hard as possible to be able to finish this material on time. Thus, it is obvious that these students have no time left to have some leisure activities.

However, some solutions could be suggested to help solve this problem. One possible solution would be reducing the cost of educational courses in these countries by government fundings. By doing this, both the students and their families would have less financial pressure and therefore the students could be less stressed during their studies which might enable them to have some free time. Another solution would be study groups, if students study in groups, then each one of the group members could summarize part of the curriculum and shares it with the rest of the group. This would save a lot of time for all of the students in the group and as a result the amount of pressure would be reduced. These suggestions could help the students to have some leisure time which is important for them to stay focused.

In conclusion, there are many reasons that put the students in some countries under stress and pressure to study hard and leave them no time for leisure activities, however, the above suggested solutions could tackle this problem and allow the students to have some study free time which is essential for them to recharge their energy.

Task Response: 8

It’s a very good essay that is clearly organised and answers the question. It presents a well-developed response to the question with relevant, extended and supported ideas.

Coherence & Cohesion: 8

Ideas and information are sequenced logically in the IELTS band 7 essay sample; all aspects of cohesion are well-managed; paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately. 

Though there is good use of vocabulary and only a few errors, there is not enough evidence of skillfull use of uncommon lexical items to merit an 8.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: 8

Uses a wide range of structures; the majority of sentences are error-free; makes only very occasional errors or inappropriacies.

Topic: Dangerous Sports (Band 7)

Large numbers of people participate in sports that are extremely dangerous.

Why do you think people do this?

How can the risks of participation be minimised?

Today many games are being played all over the world. Some of them are extremely risky and life threatening. Despite of these facts their popularity is growing and many people are playing such games on a professional level. This essay will identify the reasons why people are playing such life threatening games and provide some practical approaches to minimize the risk associated with these games.

First of all we need to find out the reason why such dangerous games are becoming so popular. To start with, the major attraction for players is good money that could be earned from a single game in just one day. This type of quick money increases stimulation among many players to adopt games such as boxing, wrestling, bull riding etc. Perhaps, fame and popularity is another compelling reason that encourages people to choose certain games. Furthermore, its proven that it is human nature to accept challenges and do things differently. Many players love to accept challenges and they want to astonish the world by their unique talent and skills.

As these games are now being introduced in the world and many people are joining them it is important to reduce risks by introducing some policies and procedures. For instance, anyone who wants to participate in particular games would not be allowed to play it until he/she deemed hundred per cent competence in required skills and knowledge. Secondly, it is important to endorse high quality personal protection equipment and training to combat risk associated with games.

In conclusion, excellent level of policies, procedures and training are integral part of treating the risks associated with such games.

All parts of the task are covered in this IELTS band 7 essay sample, a clear position is presented. Some main ideas are a bit generalised and would need to be more specific to reach an 8.

Essay is logical with a clear progression. A range of cohesive devices are used. Each paragraph has a clear central idea. Some more sophisticated cohesive devices would be needed for an 8.

Sufficient range of vocab and some less common vocab used, but some errors in word choice / formation prevent a band 8.

The IELTS band 7 essay sample overall has very good grammar, but there is an error in quite a few of the sentences. Most are quite minor but a couple of very noticeable and the candidates need to take care with this to avoid a drop to a 6.

Topic: Reading & Writing Skills (Band 7)

Some people think that the increasing use of computers and mobile phones for communication has a negative effect on young people's reading and writing skills.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

It is often said that the Internet's creation in the nineteenth made easier the way in which people could learn, work and study. The use of computers and mobile phones was seen at first as a democratization of knowledge, culture, and books. However, I think that this primary ideology was totally wrong following the side effects and trajectory and use of these devices. Indeed. I do think that computers and mobile phones for communication have a negative effect on people's reading and writing skills, especially for young people.  First, young people have been raised with mobiles and computers. The problem is that most of the content shared on computers and mobile phones, especially because of the use of social, are videos, images, and emoticons. For example, to get informed of the news, people used to communicate with others, write letters to people who were informed of the situation, or read newspapers before the Internet was created.  Today, most -if not all young people are being informed by watching videos on the Internet and socials. As a result, we can attest that young people are getting used to a virtual world made of videos and images.  But not only are newspapers concerned, but also all kinds of information. Indeed, when young people, especially students, needed to find information for a school project they were confronted with what a lot of young people are "reluctant to" today: opening a book, an encyclopedia. Indeed, many young people are being disinterested in books as computers and mobiles are making on-web research easier and faster. Young people are, as a result, reading less and hoping to find quickly a piece of information instead of reading an entire article about it. For example, who reads an entire book about a country to communicate with someone from another country when they can just find a short article about the culture they are trying to know better?  Nevertheless, writing skills are also strictly damaged by computers and mobiles. Because we are more connected to people thanks to computers and mobiles, we increase the process of talking with everyone, everywhere, the fastest as it can be. Before, thanks to the use of letters, people had time to think about what they would write and how they would like their text to be perfectly spelled and well written. Not only letters but also phone calls would help people develop their writing skills as you could not use abbreviations and slang as people do every day by texting.  A single image-a yellow face called a smiley- can replace dozens of words if not more. People are developing slang, image, videos, and GIF language instead of writing what they feel, think, and want to say in a text.  Also,  vocal messages become a threat to reading and writing as these two skills are becoming useless in computers and mobile communication. In addition, creating a technology through which users of these devices are enabled to dictate a sentence that the mobile will write in a text makes people even more unskilled in writing and reading.  To conclude, the prominent use of mobiles and computers for communication has numerous negative effects on young people's writing and reading skills. Indeed, it keeps them away from reading and especially writing because of vocal messages and the creation of slang. Communication becomes a way for people to tell what they have to say without thinking about what they are writing and saying. 

Generally a very good answer with lots of support. I think it would be better without this:  "Also,  vocal messages become a threat to reading and writing as these two skills are becoming useless in computers and mobile communication. In addition, creating a technology through which users of these devices are enabled to dictate a sentence that the mobile will write in a text makes people even more unskilled in writing and reading".  You don't explain what you mean about vocal messages. It's not really clear what the overall main idea of this paragraph is.

Coherence & Cohesion: 6

It's a shame as this could have been an 8, but you have this errors in body para 3 - "Nevertheless". This is an additional negative idea, not contrasting information. For 7 and up there can be over/underuse of CC but there shouldn't be errors in use. An examiner might perhaps overlook it and give you 7. Also as I said that last body paragraph is not great for CC.

Lexical Resource: 8

Mostly very good grammar but there are errors - an example:

• use of social - should be 'social media'

Mostly very good grammar but there are errors - some examples:

• newspapers concerned - newspapers can't be 'concerned', not sure what you mean here.
• are being disinterested - should be "are disinterested".
• Indeed. I do (comma, not full stop)

Topic: Job Satisfaction (Band 7.5)

Considering that adults spend much of their lives at work, having job satisfaction is extremely important.

What factors contribute to job satisfaction?

How realistic is the expectation of job satisfaction for all employees?

In this essay, I will state two main factors that contribute to job satisfaction, namely fulfillment and flexibility, and explore possible reasons why job satisfaction, although certainly an objective for many, cannot be achieved by all. Though many companies advertise their employees as satisfied and content, it is undeniable that this cannot always be the case. Few people would believe a manager saying that their factory workers are satisfied. I believe this has a lot to do with the factors that determine job satisfaction. For instance, in most cases, in order for someone to be satisfied at their job there must be something for them to succeed in, be it a personal or shared goal. The factory example works perfectly: people working in a factory hardly find a purpose in what they are doing different to generating a stable monthly income. Flexibility is a second element to be taken into consideration. What is meant by this is not flexible working hours, though those can certainly help too, but rather a chance to do and work on different tasks or projects and maybe even a possibility to scale them. This allows for a use of different skills, or a space to learn them, and constant new stimuli. Unfortunately, many jobs do not offer this kind of opportunity, resulting in repetitive and forced labour and effort. In conclusion, there are many ideas to be developed when talking about factors influencing job satisfaction, such as flexibility and fulfillment, and if some jobs offer both, the vast majority offers neither, which makes it impossible for every employee to experience satisfaction at their jobs.

Nearly an 8 but I think a bit more detail and explanation could be given to some of the ideas and perhaps a few more ideas of support. For instance more could be explained about why or what jobs don’t have flexibility. A band 8 or 9 also is likely to be able to write a bit more.

It’s well organised and all aspects of cohesion are managed well.

Generally very good use of vocabulary with few errors.

You have good grammar here but I think in certain places it could show a bit more sophistication/complexity. For instance, I showed you above where a complex pronoun would be better as without this the sentences look a bit choppy and short. And this sentence sound a bit awkward with two ‘ands’: “resulting in repetitive and forced labour and effort.”

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