IELTS Writing Band Descriptors – Demystified!
Clear Examples & Simple Explanations for Bands 6, 7, and 8
✍️ Real Essay Samples | 📊 Task 1 & 2 Breakdown | 🎯 Examiner’s Perspective
📝 The 4 Writing Assessment Criteria
Each criterion is worth 25% of your writing score:
Task Response/Achievement
Did you answer the question fully?
Coherence & Cohesion
Is your writing organized and connected?
Lexical Resource
How good is your vocabulary?
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
How varied and correct is your grammar?
Understanding Band 6 vs 7 vs 8
Band 6
Competent
250+ words
Band 7
Good
260-280 words
Band 8
Very Good
280+ words
Task 2: Essay Writing Band Differences
Sample Question: “Some people think that children should begin their formal education at a very early age. Others believe they should begin after 7 years of age. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.”
| Criterion | Band 6 | Band 7 | Band 8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction |
“Some people think children should start school early but others think they should start after 7. I will discuss both sides and give my opinion.”
Basic paraphrase, announces intention |
“The appropriate age for children to commence formal education remains contentious. While some advocate for early enrollment, others argue that children benefit from starting after age seven. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my view.”
Good paraphrase, clear structure |
“The optimal age for initiating formal education has long been debated among educators and parents alike. Proponents of early education emphasize cognitive development opportunities, whereas advocates of delayed entry highlight the importance of play-based learning. This essay will critically evaluate both positions before arguing that a flexible, child-centered approach may be most beneficial.”
Sophisticated intro with preview of arguments |
| Body Paragraph |
“Firstly, starting school early is good for children. They can learn many things like reading and writing. Also they can make friends. For example, in my country children start at 5 and they do well. So early education helps children develop.”
Basic ideas, simple linking, some repetition |
“Those who support early formal education argue that it provides crucial developmental advantages. Young children possess remarkable neuroplasticity, making them particularly receptive to learning fundamental skills. Furthermore, early schooling facilitates socialization, helping children develop interpersonal skills through peer interaction. Research from Finland demonstrates that structured early education can enhance cognitive abilities.”
Clear topic sentence, good support, varied vocabulary |
“Advocates of early formal education contend that the preschool years represent a critical window for cognitive development. During this period, children’s brains exhibit exceptional plasticity, enabling rapid acquisition of foundational literacy and numeracy skills. Moreover, the structured environment of formal education can foster essential executive functions, including self-regulation and attention control. Longitudinal studies from Singapore’s early education system corroborate these benefits, demonstrating sustained academic advantages for early starters.”
Sophisticated argument, precise vocabulary, complex ideas |
Task 1: Report Writing Band Differences
Sample Task: Line graph showing changes in car ownership in three countries from 1990-2020
Band 6 Overview Paragraph:
Issues: Too simple, includes personal pronouns, basic vocabulary
Band 7 Overview Paragraph:
Strengths: Clear overview, good vocabulary, comparative structures
Band 8 Overview Paragraph:
Excellence: Sophisticated vocabulary, complex grammar, nuanced observations
Detailed Criteria Breakdown
1. Task Response/Achievement – What Examiners Look For:
| Band 6 | Band 7 | Band 8 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
2. Coherence & Cohesion – Organization & Flow:
Band 6 Features:
- Basic paragraph structure
- Uses cohesive devices but sometimes mechanical (Firstly, Secondly, Finally)
- May have unclear referencing
- Central topic in each paragraph but not always clear
Band 7 Features:
- Logical organization throughout
- Range of cohesive devices used appropriately
- Clear central topic in each paragraph
- Some under/over-use of connectors
Band 8 Features:
- Skillfully manages paragraphing
- Cohesion doesn’t attract attention
- Logical flow of ideas
- Sophisticated linking
3. Lexical Resource – Vocabulary Examples:
Topic: Education
| Band 6 Vocabulary | Band 7 Vocabulary | Band 8 Vocabulary |
|---|---|---|
|
teach → teaching |
educate → pedagogy |
instruct → facilitate learning |
4. Grammatical Range & Accuracy – Sentence Examples:
Band 6 Grammar:
“Although children start school early, but they may feel stressed. If parents will support them, children can succeed. There are many advantage of early education.”
Errors: double connector, wrong conditional, subject-verb disagreement
Band 7 Grammar:
“While early schooling may cause stress, adequate parental support can mitigate these effects. Children who receive encouragement tend to adapt more readily to academic environments.”
Good variety, mostly accurate, natural flow
Band 8 Grammar:
“Despite concerns regarding premature academic pressure, research suggests that children exposed to well-structured early education programs demonstrate enhanced resilience, provided that curricula are developmentally appropriate.”
Complex structures used naturally and accurately
Common Mistakes That Keep You at Band 6
❌ Avoid These Band 6 Traps:
- Word count issues: Writing less than 250 words (Task 2) or 150 words (Task 1)
- Off-topic content: Including personal stories when not asked
- Basic vocabulary: Overusing words like “good,” “bad,” “thing,” “stuff”
- Repetitive structures: Starting every sentence with subject + verb
- Poor paragraphing: One giant paragraph or too many tiny paragraphs
- Memorized phrases: “With the development of technology…” (overused)
How to Move from Band 6 → 7 → 8
✅ Band 6 to 7 Checklist:
- Extend main ideas with specific examples and explanations
- Use topic sentences to start each body paragraph
- Replace basic words with less common vocabulary
- Vary sentence beginnings (not always subject + verb)
- Check for subject-verb agreement and article usage
- Write 260-280 words to fully develop ideas
🚀 Band 7 to 8 Strategies:
- Develop sophisticated arguments with nuanced positions
- Use collocations naturally (make a decision, reach a consensus)
- Incorporate complex grammar without forcing it
- Show critical thinking and evaluation, not just description
- Ensure flawless coherence with subtle linking
- Demonstrate topic-specific vocabulary precisely
Real Task 2 Conclusion Examples
Question: Should governments spend money on space exploration?
Band 6 Conclusion:
“In conclusion, I think governments should spend money on Earth problems first. Space exploration is expensive and we have many problems here. So governments should focus on our planet.”
Band 7 Conclusion:
“In conclusion, while space exploration offers long-term benefits, governments should prioritize addressing immediate terrestrial challenges. A balanced approach that allocates resources primarily to urgent social needs while maintaining modest space programs would be most prudent.”
Band 8 Conclusion:
“To conclude, the dichotomy between space exploration and terrestrial concerns need not be absolute. While the exigencies of poverty, climate change, and healthcare demand immediate attention, strategic investment in space technology can yield innovations that ultimately benefit humanity. Therefore, a nuanced funding approach that reflects both present necessities and future possibilities would seem most judicious.”
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