Why Task Familiarity Is Half the Battle
Task by Task: What Examiners Want
Must include: overview of the main trend(s), comparison of key data points, specific figures with appropriate approximation language. Must NOT: state an opinion, explain why the data looks as it does. Common error: writing a Task 2 argument about the graph topic rather than describing the data.
Four paragraph structure: intro (paraphrase + thesis) → body 1 (first main point + development + example) → body 2 (second main point or counterargument) → conclusion (restate + implication). Assessment: Task Response (answering the question), Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range & Accuracy.
Personal opinion essay. Must give a personal position and defend it with specific reasons and examples. Examiners assess development of ideas and organization of writing.
Read a passage + listen to a lecture that challenges the reading. Summarize what the lecture says and how it relates to the reading. Do NOT give an opinion. Do NOT only summarize the reading.
Usually an essay on one of the reading topics. Required: clear argument, cohesive structure, appropriate register. Clear CEFR B2 vocabulary and grammar required.
Report, proposal, letter, or review — different genre conventions for each. The choice of register and format precision is explicitly assessed.
What Examiners Actually Assess
Task Achievement
Did you answer the actual question asked? The most commonly failed criterion
Coherence & Cohesion
Does the text hold together logically and use discourse devices appropriately?
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary range, precision, and appropriate use — not raw frequency of complex words
Teacher Tip
“Analyse band descriptor samples with students. IELTS publishes band 5, 6, 7, and 8 samples for public writing tasks. Read them together and identify: what makes the 8 different from the 6? Usually: the 8 answers the question more directly, has more precise vocabulary, and has fewer grammatical errors. The criteria become visible in the samples.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should IELTS Task 1 take?
20 minutes maximum. Many students spend 30+ minutes on Task 1 and have insufficient time for Task 2 (which is worth double). Task 2 should get at least 40 minutes — time allocation is a fundamental exam strategy.
Is it better to use simple grammar correctly or complex grammar with errors?
Examiners assess 'Grammatical Range and Accuracy' — both range AND accuracy. A text with complex structures used incorrectly scores poorly. A text with simpler structures used perfectly scores adequately. Therefore: use complex structures you're confident in, simpler ones where uncertain. Don't use structures you haven't practised.
How many words should I aim for in IELTS Task 2?
250 minimum (stated requirement). 260-290 is typically optimal — enough to develop arguments without rambling. Over 320 words rarely improves the score and risks introducing more errors. Quality of development beats quantity of words at every band.