Band Descriptor
IELTS two-part question essay: answer both fully
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.
11 min read
IELTS Drills Blog
Tag: Task 2
Band Descriptor breakdowns, 5-minute study habits, and module-specific tactics — written by the IELTS Drills team.
Band Descriptor
IELTS problem-solution essay: structure 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.
11 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay: outweigh trap
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.
10 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS discussion essay: both views and your opinion
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.
10 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS opinion essay: agree-or-disagree structure
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.
10 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS Writing Task 2 topics and the 5 question types
IELTS Writing Task 2 has endless topics but only five question types: opinion, discussion, advantages, problem-solution, two-part. How to spot each one.
6 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS Writing Task 2: question types, structure, scoring
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.
12 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS Task Response: answering the question isn't enough
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.
10 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS grammatical range and accuracy: complex isn't better
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.
9 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS lexical resource: fancy words won't get you to band 7
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.
9 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS coherence and cohesion: linking words won't reach 7
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.
9 min read
Band Descriptor
Stuck at IELTS 6.5? The 4 Band Descriptors blocking your 0.5
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.
7 min read