The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an essential gateway for non-native English speakers who aspire to study, work, or settle in English-speaking countries. Among the test components, the IELTS Writing test often poses significant challenges. It’s not just about stringing words together; it’s about demonstrating competency in four distinct areas, each critical to your overall score. These areas are Task Achievement/Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. The purpose of this blog post is to underscore the importance of understanding these scoring criteria, which are the cornerstone of performing well in the IELTS Writing test. We’ll delve into each of these criteria, offering insights that will enhance your preparation and elevate your writing skills.
Task Achievement (for Task 1) / Task Response (for Task 2)
In the first task of the IELTS Writing test, you’ll need to interpret a given diagram or set of data. The ‘Task Achievement’ criterion focuses on how well you fulfil this requirement. Do you cover all the necessary points? Is your overview clear and logical? These are some questions examiners ask while scoring this section.
In the second task, you’ll need to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem. This is where ‘Task Response’ comes into play. Here, examiners look for a well-developed response to the prompt, a clear position throughout the essay, and logical argumentation.
For both tasks, it’s important to fully address the prompt and provide detailed and supported ideas. Avoid going off-topic or failing to address parts of the prompt, as these can hurt your score. Always ask yourself if this sentence of the essay is written to serve the purpose of supporting or clarifying your main arguments?
Coherence and Cohesion
Coherence refers to the clarity and logical sequence of your ideas, while cohesion relates to your use of cohesive devices (also known as linking words or connectors) to tie your ideas together. Examiners assess whether your paragraphs and ideas flow in a clear and logical manner, and whether you use cohesive devices effectively to enhance understanding.
To score high in this area, plan your response carefully before writing to ensure a logical progression of ideas. Use a variety of linking words correctly and appropriately. Avoid excessive or improper use of cohesive devices as this can make your writing confusing.
Lexical Resource
‘Lexical Resource’ refers to the range of vocabulary you use and how accurately and appropriately you use it. Examiners are looking for the use of a wide range of vocabulary, the correct use of words, and the ability to use paraphrasing effectively.
To boost your score in this area, broaden your vocabulary and learn synonyms for common words. Practice using these words in different contexts. Always strive for accuracy in word choice to ensure your writing is clear and precise.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
This criterion evaluates your use of grammar. Do you use a wide range of grammatical structures? Are these used accurately? You’ll need to demonstrate the ability to use a mix of simple and complex sentences and use them accurately. To score well in this area, review and practice different grammatical structures. Be mindful of common grammatical errors and check your writing carefully to avoid them. One key thing to remember is to save at least 1-2 last minutes to review your essay carefully, no matter how tempting it is to continue writing. Repeat after me: no matter how tempting it is to continue writing, save at least 1-2 minutes to review your essay for grammar & spelling mistakes. If your Writing skill is not yet excellent and you keep trying to write a long essay (over 380 words) without double-checking grammar before the submission, this practice could hurt the quality severely.
Remember, each of these criteria accounts for 25% of your total IELTS Writing score. To perform well, you need to understand and meet the specific requirements of each one. Practice, self-evaluate, and seek feedback based on these criteria.
For more details about the criteria, please download the band descriptors for IELTS Writing below. This is the official document from IELTS.org and you should use it as the official guide to writing better IELTS essays. Try reviewing these important documents many times during your IELTS Writing preparation period to check if you have improved in terms of fulfilling these criteria for higher band scores (7 or 8). Good luck with your IELTS preparation!
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