How to get Band 8.0 in IELTS Writing Task 2?
You might have an excellent vocabulary and can write sentences that are grammatically absolutely correct. However, all native English speakers would have scored 8+ in the IELTS exam if that was enough. There is more to getting a high band score and this article will discuss all of that. The points mentioned below apply to both Academic and General IELTS so these will help you boost your marks regardless of the test you have opted for.
In IELTS Writing Task 2, the candidate is asked to write an essay based on topics like Education, Employment, Technology, Culture, Crime, Health, Environment, Travel, Social Media, and Society. The most common types of questions include those that test your ability to present problems and solutions, advantages and disadvantages, your opinion, to what extent you agree/disagree to a given statement, and double-questions where two questions are asked based on a statement. Use the following tips to tackle them effectively and maximize your IELTS band score:
Ideation
Planning the blueprint of your answer for a minute or two is a lucrative investment that will improve the quality of your writing. Understand the question and think of relevant ideas to frame your answer. Remember that your ideas are only as good as your ability to explain them. If you cannot back your ideas with logical reasoning and pertinent examples, discard them. After that, organize these ideas for crafting a well-written essay.
Structuring
The way you formulate your answer must add more clarity to it and help you express your thoughts effectively. The building blocks of your essay structure are Introduction, two Body paragraphs, and Conclusion. Let's take a closer look into each of these parts -
a) Introduction
- Provides relevant background
- Expresses your understanding of the question prompt
- Explains what the essay is about in a line or two
b) Body Paragraphs
- An opening sentence that provides an overview of the main idea which is also known as a topic sentence
- Reasons to support that idea
- Pieces of evidence to convince the reader that your argument is correct
- Reiterates the main idea
c) Conclusion
- Summarizes your essay
- Bolsters the main points discussed in the write-up
- Reiterates the main idea
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Cohesion and Coherence
Stay on track and do not go off-topic through the whole of your answer. Use linking words like therefore, for instance, and often, to build consistency. However, use the cohesive words only if they are appropriate in that particular context, overusing them can cost you marks. Your essay must contain lines that form a unified whole. Do not contradict your opinion when you are framing sentences. When you choose a side, absolutely stick with it.
Variety
Inject a broad range of vocabulary and multiple types of sentences in your essay. Avoid repeating words and use appropriate synonyms, modal verbs, subordinate clause, and phrases wherever suitable. Please note that you must do this without sacrificing the precision and accuracy of the words and lines. The various types of sentences include Simple, Complex, Compound, Passive, Question, and Conditional sentences. It is advisable to use over 5 complex sentences in your essay. These sentences express two or more ideas and contain words like although, provided that, rather than, whenever, whereas, and even though.
Pro Tip: Avoid using very, get, be, have and use stronger verbs and adjectives to replace them. For instance, use 'crucial' instead of very important and 'receive' instead of get.
Conclusion
Consuming more and more information is a waste of time unless and until you apply them by practicing and implementing. Practicing with the perfect strategy is the key to improve your score. So, Sign Up and get free IELTS Practice Tests today!
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