Band Descriptor breakdowns, 5-minute study habits, and module-specific tactics — written by the IELTS Drills team.
IELTS Band Descriptors explained: the four Writing criteria and four Speaking criteria, what separates band 6 from 7 on each, why Reading and Listening have none, plus the official PDFs.
IELTS paraphrasing done right: the four techniques, how each maps to the Band Descriptors, the meaning-drift trap to avoid, and why copying the prompt scores nothing.
The IELTS combination chart (Writing Task 1, two or multiple charts): one combined introduction and overview, splitting the body, the two tenses, and a Band 9 model.
The IELTS table (Writing Task 1): why selection beats listing every cell, static vs dynamic tables and the tense each needs, comparison language, and a Band 9 model.
The IELTS process diagram (Writing Task 1): the passive and present tense it needs, natural vs man-made processes, sequencing language, and a Band 9 model.
The IELTS map (Writing Task 1): which tense each map variant needs, compass and change vocabulary, organising by area not by change, and a Band 9 model answer.
The IELTS pie chart (Writing Task 1): what the overview needs, the proportion language that lifts your score, one pie versus two, and a Band 9 model answer.
The IELTS bar chart (Writing Task 1): spot static vs dynamic, the comparison language and tense each needs, the overview that scores, and a Band 9 model.
The IELTS line graph (Writing Task 1): the overview that decides Task Achievement, the trend vocabulary and tense you need, and a Band 9 model answer.
The IELTS two-part (direct) question essay gives you two questions to answer in equal depth, one often for your opinion. Structure, a Band 9 model, and traps.
The IELTS problem-solution essay needs both halves developed and every solution matched to a problem. Structure, a Band 9 model, and the Band 6 traps.
Official IELTS Writing Task 1 band descriptors PDF, plus what Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range mean band by band.
The IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay has two versions: 'discuss' needs no verdict, but 'outweigh' demands one. Structure, a Band 9 model, and the traps.
The IELTS discussion essay (discuss both views and give your own opinion): both sides covered evenly, one clear opinion, a Band 9 model, and the Band 6 traps.
The IELTS opinion essay (agree or disagree, to what extent) turns on one clear position held to the last line. Plus a Band 9 model and the Band 6 traps.
IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 is a letter. How register and tone decide Band 6 vs 7, covering all three bullet points, with formal and informal models.
IELTS Writing Task 2 has endless topics but only five question types: opinion, discussion, advantages, problem-solution, two-part. How to spot each one.
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 has seven chart types: line, bar, pie, table, process, map, combination. What each overview must capture, and the tense to use.
Pronunciation is 25% of your IELTS speaking score, judged on intelligibility, not accent. The official band 6 and band 8 wording, decoded, and how to climb.
IELTS Writing Task 2 decides two-thirds of your Writing band. The five question types, one structure for all of them, and what the four descriptors reward.
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 is scored on the same four band descriptors as Task 2. Why a missing overview caps Task Achievement at Band 5, and what each axis rewards.
IELTS speaking is scored on four equally weighted band descriptors. See what separates band 6 from band 7 in fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation.
Task Response is the IELTS Writing Task 2 criterion examiners read first. Why answering the question isn't enough for Band 7, with examples that show what is.
Grammatical range and accuracy is 25% of each IELTS Writing task score, yet piling on complex sentences is a Band 6 habit. What GRA rewards instead, with examples.
Lexical resource is 25% of each IELTS Writing task score, yet reaching for rarer words is a Band 6 habit. What LR rewards instead, with before/after examples.
Coherence and cohesion is 25% of each IELTS Writing task score, yet piling on linking words is a Band 6 habit. What CC rewards instead, with before/after examples.
Why 'just improve your English' stops working at Band 6.5, and how to diagnose which of the 4 Writing Band Descriptors (TR / CC / LR / GRA) is blocking your next 0.5.
