Many students struggle to achieve a high band score in IELTS Writing, with Band 6 being a common result. Although this band represents a competent level of English, there is room for improvement. This lesson will break down the common reasons why essays often score Band 6 and offer strategies to improve your writing and aim for Band 7 or higher.
1. Lack of Task Achievement and Fully Developed Ideas
One of the most common reasons for receiving a Band 6 is that the essay does not fully address all parts of the question or provides underdeveloped arguments. IELTS Writing Task 2 requires clear responses that completely cover all aspects of the prompt.
How to Improve:
- Plan your essay carefully. Spend the first 5 minutes understanding the question, identifying key ideas, and outlining your argument.
- Make sure every paragraph focuses on one main point, fully explaining it with relevant examples and supporting details.
Example: If the question asks you to discuss both views and give your opinion, ensure each paragraph clearly addresses one side of the argument with well-developed ideas.
2. Limited Lexical Resource and Repetition
Band 6 essays often show limited vocabulary and repetitive word usage. Using the same words or phrases over and over can make your essay sound monotonous and reduce its overall effectiveness.
How to Improve:
- Expand your vocabulary by learning synonyms and using them correctly. Avoid repeating simple words like “good” or “important.”
- Use varied vocabulary for expressing ideas, linking ideas, and giving examples. For instance, instead of always using “important,” try alternatives like “crucial,” “vital,” or “significant.”
Example: Instead of “health is important,” you could say, “health is crucial for a fulfilling life,” or “health plays a vital role in one’s quality of life.”
3. Grammatical Errors
Grammatical mistakes are another major factor for Band 6 essays. While the grammar is generally understandable, frequent errors in sentence structure, tense usage, or subject-verb agreement can lower your score.
How to Improve:
- Focus on sentence variety. Avoid using only simple sentences—incorporate complex and compound sentences to demonstrate your grammatical range.
- Proofread your essay. Spend the last 3-5 minutes checking for common errors such as incorrect tense usage, punctuation mistakes, or subject-verb agreement.
Example: “Many people doesn’t understand the benefits of exercise.” should be “Many people do not understand the benefits of exercise.”
4. Coherence and Cohesion Issues
A Band 6 essay may lack logical flow between paragraphs or ideas. This can make the essay harder to read and follow. IELTS examiners look for clear connections between ideas and paragraphs.
How to Improve:
- Use linking words (e.g., moreover, however, consequently) to connect ideas and make your essay flow logically.
- Each paragraph should start with a clear topic sentence to introduce the main idea, followed by supporting details that link back to the question.
Example: To improve coherence, you can use linking words like “Firstly,” “In contrast,” “On the other hand,” to structure your arguments clearly.
5. Ineffective Introduction and Conclusion
In many Band 6 essays, the introduction or conclusion is either too brief or too vague. This weakens the overall essay, as the introduction should introduce the topic clearly, and the conclusion should summarize the key points and restate the opinion.
How to Improve:
- Write a clear introduction: Paraphrase the question and briefly outline what you will discuss in your essay.
- End with a strong conclusion: Summarize the key points discussed and provide a clear restatement of your opinion or main argument.
Example: A strong conclusion might be: “In conclusion, while there are valid arguments on both sides, I believe that education should be prioritized to ensure long-term development.”
6. Practice and Feedback
One of the key aspects of improvement is practice and feedback. Regularly writing essays and seeking feedback helps you identify areas where you can improve, whether it’s in content, structure, vocabulary, or grammar.
How to Improve:
- Practice: Write one essay per day or several per week to build your writing speed and confidence.
- Seek Feedback: Share your essays with a teacher, tutor, or even an online community to get feedback on areas that need improvement.
Conclusion:
A Band 6 IELTS essay is a good starting point, but with consistent practice and attention to detail, you can raise your score to Band 7 or higher. Focus on fully addressing the task, expanding your vocabulary, improving grammar, and ensuring coherence and cohesion. With the right strategies and dedication, your IELTS writing will improve and move beyond Band 6.
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By implementing these strategies and focusing on key areas, you can steadily improve your IELTS writing and achieve the score you need!
IELTS 5 to 6 