IELTS Writing Task 1 & 2

Structure, cohesion, and band-9 language · with Dr. Priya Nair

You will be able to summarise Task 1 data with accurate overviews

You will be able to structure a Task 2 essay with clear paragraphing

You will be able to use cohesive devices without overusing them

You will be able to develop and support ideas with examples

You will be able to self-edit for grammar and lexical range

Course content

3 modules · 9 lessons

Module 1: Understanding the Marking

Module 2: Task 1: Describing Data

Module 3: Task 2: The Essay

video

The Four Marking Criteria

13 min

Both writing tasks are marked on four equally weighted criteria. Know what each rewards.

The four criteria

Examiners score Task Achievement/Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy, each worth 25% of the task band.

Task Response: did you fully answer the question?
Coherence and Cohesion: is it logically organised and linked?
Lexical Resource: range and accuracy of vocabulary
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: variety and correctness of structures

Task 2 is worth twice the marks of Task 1, so budget your 60 minutes as 20 minutes for Task 1 and 40 for Task 2.

Balance beats brilliance

A strong essay balances all four criteria. Perfect grammar cannot rescue an answer that ignores part of the question.

Key Takeaways

Four equally weighted criteria decide your band
Task 2 carries twice the marks of Task 1
Balance across all criteria beats excelling at one