IELTS Writing Task 2: A Checklist for a High Band Score

IELTS Writing Task 2 is a formal essay task where you are required to present and develop an argument, express an opinion, or discuss a topic in at least 250 words. The key to achieving a high band score is not only the quality of your ideas but also how well you structure your essay, use advanced vocabulary, and demonstrate grammatical range.

Here’s a detailed checklist that breaks down the essential elements for success in IELTS Writing Task 2.

1. Structure and Development

The structure of your essay is critical to ensuring clarity and coherence. A well-organized essay typically follows a standard format:

• Introduction: Introduce the topic and outline your main ideas.

• Body Paragraph 1: Develop your first main point with supporting examples.

• Body Paragraph 2: Develop your second main point, also with support.

• Conclusion: Summarize your argument and restate your opinion or main points.

By following this clear structure, you ensure that your ideas flow logically and that your argument develops smoothly across the essay. Make sure each paragraph has a clear central idea, supported by relevant details.

2. Even Amount of Words in the Support Paragraphs

A balanced essay is crucial for coherence. Aim to write an even amount of words in your body paragraphs to ensure your essay looks well-structured and balanced. If one body paragraph is significantly longer than the other, it can seem like you haven't fully developed one of your points. A good rule of thumb is to divide your body paragraphs relatively equally:

• Body Paragraph 1: 90-100 words

• Body Paragraph 2: 90-100 words

This ensures both your ideas are equally explored and fully supported, which is essential for a higher score in Task Response, and Coherence and Cohesion.

3. Use Topic-Specific Vocabulary

Using topic-specific vocabulary relevant to the question shows the examiner that you have a good grasp of the subject matter and can use English precisely. For example, if the topic is about environmental issues, include words like:

• Sustainability, carbon footprint, renewable energy, climate change.

Be sure to incorporate this vocabulary naturally and appropriately into your essay. Overusing advanced words or using them incorrectly can hurt your score.

4. Use Transition Words 70% of the Time

Transition words are essential for guiding the reader through your essay and connecting your ideas. However, they should be used judiciously—aim for about 70% usage to ensure a smooth flow without overwhelming your writing. Some common transition words include:

• For adding ideas: "Additionally," "Moreover," "Furthermore,"

• For contrasting ideas: "However," "On the other hand," "In contrast,"

• For results: "As a result," "Consequently," "Therefore,"

• For giving examples: "For instance," "For example,"

By using transitions effectively, you’ll make your writing more cohesive and easier to follow, which will enhance your score in Coherence and Cohesion.

5. Use Collocations to Score Highly

Collocations are word combinations that are naturally used together in English. Using collocations correctly can boost your Lexical Resource score because they show that you are comfortable with natural English expressions. Some examples include:

• Make an effort, take responsibility, heavy rain, strong argument.

Learning and practicing collocations specific to common IELTS topics will help your writing sound more fluent and native-like. Be sure to use them appropriately within the context of your essay.

6. Sentence Type Variation – Subordinate Sentences

To score highly in Grammatical Range and Accuracy, it’s important to use a variety of sentence types, particularly complex sentences with subordinate clauses. Complex sentences help you express ideas more clearly and add depth to your argument. For example:

• Simple sentence: "Global warming is a serious issue."

• Complex sentence: "Although global warming is a serious issue, governments are not doing enough to combat it."

Subordinate clauses often start with words like because, although, since, when, if, while, and they add extra information or detail to your sentences. Using a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences will show that you can handle more sophisticated grammar structures.

7. Referencing

Effective referencing helps your essay flow better and avoids repetitive structures. Using pronouns like this, that, these, those, it, they allows you to refer back to previously mentioned ideas without repeating full phrases. For example:

• Without referencing: "Electric cars are becoming popular. Electric cars are environmentally friendly."

• With referencing: "Electric cars are becoming popular because they are environmentally friendly."

This not only keeps your writing concise but also makes it easier to read and follow, which improves your Coherence and Cohesion score.

8. Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is essential in the IELTS Writing Task 2 introduction and throughout the essay to avoid directly copying the task prompt or repeating phrases. Good paraphrasing shows your ability to use a range of vocabulary and reword ideas effectively. For example:

• Task prompt: "Some people think that public transport should be free for everyone."

• Paraphrase: "Many individuals believe that public transportation should be accessible to all at no cost."

To do this successfully, learn synonyms, rephrase sentence structures, and use different grammatical forms while keeping the original meaning.

Conclusion: A Checklist for IELTS Writing Task 2

To maximize your score in IELTS Writing Task 2, follow this checklist to structure and develop your essay effectively:

1. Structure and development: Ensure your essay has a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

2. Even body paragraphs: Keep your paragraphs balanced in length to fully develop your ideas.

3. Use topic-specific vocabulary: Include relevant terms to show your understanding of the topic.

4. Use transition words (70%): Link your ideas for smoother transitions.

5. Incorporate collocations: Use natural word combinations for a higher Lexical Resource score.

6. Vary your sentence types: Include complex and subordinate sentences for grammatical range.

7. Referencing: Use pronouns to reference earlier points and avoid repetition.

8. Paraphrase effectively: Show your vocabulary range by paraphrasing the prompt and key points.

By using this checklist in your preparation and during the exam, you’ll be well on your way to achieving a high band score in IELTS Writing Task 2. Keep practicing and refining these techniques to ensure your writing is both sophisticated and clear!