IELTS Writing Task 2 is worth two-thirds of your Writing section score — and is the section where most Nepali students underperform. Common issues: lack of specific vocabulary, weak argument development, and overuse of memorized templates. This guide shows you exactly what Band 7 looks like and how to get there.
IELTS Writing Task 2 is worth two-thirds of your Writing section score — and is the section where most Nepali students underperform. Common issues: lack of specific vocabulary, weak argument development, and overuse of memorized templates. This guide shows you exactly what Band 7 looks like and how to get there.
How IELTS Writing Task 2 Is Scored
Four criteria — each worth 25% of the Writing Task 2 score:
- Task Achievement (TA): Did you answer the question fully? Did you present a clear position and support it?
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Is the essay logically organized? Do ideas connect smoothly using linking words?
- Lexical Resource (LR): Do you use a range of vocabulary accurately, including less common words?
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Do you use complex sentence structures correctly?
Band 7 Essay Structure (Opinion Essay)
Paragraph 1 — Introduction (3–4 sentences): Paraphrase the topic → State your position clearly → Brief outline of what you will argue
Paragraph 2 — Main Body 1 (4–5 sentences): Topic sentence → Explanation → Example → Impact/Link back to thesis
Paragraph 3 — Main Body 2 (4–5 sentences): Topic sentence → Explanation → Example → Impact/Link back to thesis
Paragraph 4 — Conclusion (2–3 sentences): Restate position → Brief summary of key points → (Optional) broader implication
High-Value Vocabulary Patterns for Band 7+
Replace simple words with precise alternatives:
| Simple Word | Band 7+ Alternatives |
|---|---|
| important | crucial, paramount, indispensable, significant |
| show | demonstrate, illustrate, indicate, reveal |
| many people | a significant proportion, a growing number, the majority of individuals |
| good/bad | beneficial/detrimental, advantageous/counterproductive, constructive/harmful |
| because | owing to, as a result of, on account of, given that |
| also | furthermore, in addition, moreover, additionally |
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Score
- Memorized introductions: “In this day and age, there is a heated debate about…” — examiners recognize these instantly and penalize
- Going off-topic: Read the question three times. Answer exactly what is asked.
- Not reaching 250 words: Undercount penalties are severe. Aim for 280–310 words.
- Repetition: Using the same word/phrase 3+ times in one essay
- No specific examples: “For example” followed by a vague claim, not an actual example
How long should IELTS Writing Task 2 be?
The minimum is 250 words — you will be penalized for writing less. The recommended length is 270–300 words. Writing much more than 300 words takes extra time without proportionally improving your score.
Can I use "I" in IELTS Writing Task 2?
Yes — especially in opinion essays where you state your view. "I believe…", "In my opinion…", "I would argue that…" are all appropriate. Avoid first person in more formal/report-style task types, but for opinion and discussion essays, first person is fine.
- IELTS Writing Task 2 assessment criteria (www.ielts.org)
- IDP IELTS preparation (www.idp.com)
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