Most IELTS candidates make the same mistakes in Writing Task 2. The good news? These mistakes are predictable — and fixable. Here are the five most common ones keeping students below Band 7, and exactly how to fix them.
1. Not Answering the Actual Question
This is the #1 reason students lose marks. The examiner scores you on Task Response first — did you actually answer what was asked?
Many students write a perfectly structured essay about a related topic, but miss the specific angle of the question. For example, if the question asks "To what extent do you agree?", you must give a clear position — not sit on the fence.
Fix: Underline the key words in the question before you write. Ask yourself: "Is my thesis directly answering this specific question?" If you can't summarise your answer in one sentence, your position isn't clear enough.
2. Writing Only 4 Paragraphs When You Need More Development
Introduction + 2 body paragraphs + conclusion. That's the classic structure — but many students stop there with underdeveloped ideas. Band 7 requires ideas that are "extended and supported."
One idea per paragraph, fully developed, is better than two ideas rushed through.
Fix: Each body paragraph should have: a topic sentence (your main point), an explanation, a specific example, and a mini-conclusion linking back to the question. If your paragraph is under 80 words, you've probably not developed it enough.
3. Repeating the Same Words and Phrases
Lexical Resource is 25% of your Writing score. Examiners notice immediately if you use the word "important" 6 times in one essay.
Fix: For every key topic word, prepare 3 synonyms before your exam. "Important" → significant, crucial, vital. "Increase" → rise, surge, escalate. Also vary how you introduce examples: "For instance," "To illustrate," "A clear example of this is..."
4. Using Informal Language
IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 requires formal academic English. Contractions (don't, can't), rhetorical questions ("But is this really true?"), and first-person emotional statements ("I personally feel very strongly that...") all drag your score down.
Fix: Replace contractions with full forms. Replace "I think" with "It can be argued that" or "There is strong evidence to suggest." The tone should sound like a quality newspaper editorial, not a personal blog post.
5. A Weak or Missing Conclusion
Many students run out of time and write two rushed sentences as a conclusion, or simply repeat their introduction word-for-word. This damages both your Task Response and Coherence & Cohesion scores.
Fix: Write your conclusion first in your planning phase — before you start the body paragraphs. This means you always have time for it, and your essay stays focused. A good conclusion: restates your position (in different words), summarises your main points briefly, and may include a future prediction or recommendation.
The Band 7 Checklist
- ✓ Clear, direct answer to the specific question asked
- ✓ Each body paragraph has one main idea, fully developed with an example
- ✓ Varied vocabulary — no key word repeated more than twice
- ✓ Formal academic register throughout
- ✓ Strong conclusion that doesn't just copy the introduction
- ✓ At least 250 words (aim for 270-290)
How Wordly Can Help
Writing Task 2 is hard to improve without feedback. Wordly's AI analyses your essays across all four IELTS criteria — Task Response, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range — and gives you specific, actionable suggestions. Not just "try to use more vocabulary," but "you used 'important' 4 times — here are stronger alternatives."
You can submit an essay and get detailed feedback in under 60 seconds, free to start.