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IELTS Writing Band 7.

SithLord

VIP Member
Aug 18, 2017
6,873
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I would just like to share my 2 cents to everyone who are struggling with writing.

I have taken the general training test thrice.

1st attempt

L/R/W/S - 6.5/6/5.5/6.5

2nd attempt

L/R/W/S - 7.5/6.5/6.5/7

3rd attempt

L/R/W/S - 8/9/7/7.5

Honestly, I felt I will have to resit again since I didn't complete my task 1 as I had only written 110 words. I even went and booked for 28th July and I was shocked to see I scored 7 band. I truly believe this is nothing but god's miracle.

After experience of taking the test 3 times, this is what I have learnt. Hope these tips helps;

1) Always do Task 2 first because it is worth more points. Do not copy-paste the essay question as your introduction. Rephrase the question using your own words and give your opinion in the introduction. Suppose the question is agree/disagree. Just clearly mention in your introduction you agree with such and such statement or you disagree. Then follow through wit supporting statements in 2 paragraphs with examples.

2) Do not repeat same words. Use synonyms. Example if you have used ridiculous in one sentence and you want to use this word again then use amusing, hysterical, preposterous etc instead.

3) Use linking words like However, moreover, furthermore etc. For supporting points use firstly, secondly, lastly etc. Also when it comes to examples, if you have already used the word example then use namely, such as, for instance etc. I feel this is the most essential tip for essay writing. Seeing such words will give you a high score in cohesive and cohesion.

4) Now coming to task 1 like me if you don't have time to write 150 words. Just make sure you answer all the points mentioned in task 1. For me there was a question about I read a book recently and I am writing a letter to a friend.

1) Why would you recommend this book to him/her?
2) Where can he find this book

there was one more point mentioned but I don't remember, made sure in those 110 words I answered all those tasks clearly. Ofcourse, you will be penalized for not completing 150 words but you still kind of answer all that was necessary to complete the task. I feel this was my saving grace otherwise I would have got another 6.5

Had I completed 150 words then maybe I could have scored a 7.5, will never know. Anyways, not worried about that. I have got the score I required so I am happy.

if you need help you can PM me :) Good luck to all
 

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The first part of task 1 was what the book is about then followed by the two points you mentioned.

Personally, I don’t do a lot of writing practices for this test. I do about 2-3 essays and 1-2 letters per test, and this might be way I am stuck with 6.5. I am hoping my EOR on fourth attempt willcome positive. In the meantime, planning to resit in September, but I’ll have to write one essay and a letter per day till then; I’ll also get corrected from a tutor.

It is damn frustrating to score 8+ in other modules but let down by bu writing.

Thank u for sharing tips.
 

taari

Newbie
Jul 13, 2018
5
0
I would just like to share my 2 cents to everyone who are struggling with writing.

I have taken the general training test thrice.

1st attempt

L/R/W/S - 6.5/6/5.5/6.5

2nd attempt

L/R/W/S - 7.5/6.5/6.5/7

3rd attempt

L/R/W/S - 8/9/7/7.5

Honestly, I felt I will have to resit again since I didn't complete my task 1 as I had only written 110 words. I even went and booked for 28th July and I was shocked to see I scored 7 band. I truly believe this is nothing but god's miracle.

After experience of taking the test 3 times, this is what I have learnt. Hope these tips helps;

1) Always do Task 2 first because it is worth more points. Do not copy-paste the essay question as your introduction. Rephrase the question using your own words and give your opinion in the introduction. Suppose the question is agree/disagree. Just clearly mention in your introduction you agree with such and such statement or you disagree. Then follow through wit supporting statements in 2 paragraphs with examples.

2) Do not repeat same words. Use synonyms. Example if you have used ridiculous in one sentence and you want to use this word again then use amusing, hysterical, preposterous etc instead.

3) Use linking words like However, moreover, furthermore etc. For supporting points use firstly, secondly, lastly etc. Also when it comes to examples, if you have already used the word example then use namely, such as, for instance etc. I feel this is the most essential tip for essay writing. Seeing such words will give you a high score in cohesive and cohesion.

4) Now coming to task 1 like me if you don't have time to write 150 words. Just make sure you answer all the points mentioned in task 1. For me there was a question about I read a book recently and I am writing a letter to a friend.

1) Why would you recommend this book to him/her?
2) Where can he find this book

there was one more point mentioned but I don't remember, made sure in those 110 words I answered all those tasks clearly. Ofcourse, you will be penalized for not completing 150 words but you still kind of answer all that was necessary to complete the task. I feel this was my saving grace otherwise I would have got another 6.5

Had I completed 150 words then maybe I could have scored a 7.5, will never know. Anyways, not worried about that. I have got the score I required so I am happy.

if you need help you can PM me :) Good luck to all
Task 2 was about road safety by governing vehicles speed, In my essay, I partially agreed with the statement, Was it a wrong approach? We have to be on one side always or we can support both arguments?
Secondly, I have eloborated two points in favor with example and two non-suppoting points with relavent example.I think grammer errors were more in my essay. Although, I was confident about my task 2.
And what impact does handwriting has in achieving 7+
 

Santosh540

Full Member
Dec 20, 2017
32
6
Congratulations... I m still struck at 6.5 in second attempt... I was a bit anxious and made my writing clumsy... In writing task2 I argued against increasing speed of vechiles on road... However, I haven't covered the negative side arguments, and that could be the reason for my low score.
 

SithLord

VIP Member
Aug 18, 2017
6,873
5,135
The first part of task 1 was what the book is about then followed by the two points you mentioned.

Personally, I don’t do a lot of writing practices for this test. I do about 2-3 essays and 1-2 letters per test, and this might be way I am stuck with 6.5. I am hoping my EOR on fourth attempt willcome positive. In the meantime, planning to resit in September, but I’ll have to write one essay and a letter per day till then; I’ll also get corrected from a tutor.

It is damn frustrating to score 8+ in other modules but let down by bu writing.

Thank u for sharing tips.
I will advice you to take a look at band 8 and 9 essay samples. Also, search ielts liz on google. This site is extremely useful.

Don't lose hope and always stay positive!! Good luck
 
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SithLord

VIP Member
Aug 18, 2017
6,873
5,135
Task 2 was about road safety by governing vehicles speed, In my essay, I partially agreed with the statement, Was it a wrong approach? We have to be on one side always or we can support both arguments?
Secondly, I have eloborated two points in favor with example and two non-suppoting points with relavent example.I think grammer errors were more in my essay. Although, I was confident about my task 2.
And what impact does handwriting has in achieving 7+
I remember the essay question asked something like discuss both views and give your own opinion. So elaborating both view points with examples was the right way to go. However, you already made a mistake in the introduction with your partially agree statement

I believe partially agree answer was wrong because the question clearly states to give your own opinion and discuss both sides of view. So you should either agree or disagree. Partially agree means you are not having a strong opinion on either side. You should remember that they do not care what your personal opinion exactly is about the topic. They only care about your writing style. So don't worry about what they will think about your opinion.

Unfortunately, if you make a lot of grammar and spelling mistakes it is very hard to get a 7. I only got 5.5 in my first attempt because I made too many spelling mistakes.

Good luck!!
 

SithLord

VIP Member
Aug 18, 2017
6,873
5,135
Congratulations... I m still struck at 6.5 in second attempt... I was a bit anxious and made my writing clumsy... In writing task2 I argued against increasing speed of vechiles on road... However, I haven't covered the negative side arguments, and that could be the reason for my low score.
Yes, you only argued against one view so you didn't complete the task when they asked you to discuss both arguments.

Don't worry! Just take it as a learning experience and try to correct your mistakes in next attempt!! Don't let that that bother stay positive :)
 

H0peAndFa1th

Hero Member
Jun 19, 2017
485
471
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SithLord

VIP Member
Aug 18, 2017
6,873
5,135
@SithLord Please take a look here for the score explanation, I just found out today!!!


I wish, I knew this before :(


Anybody who is doing IELTS must read this...

https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/ielts-writing-for-band-7-or-above.540392/page-11#post-7083992

meat:

If your response fall short by 10 words no bands will be deducted ??

131 t0 140 = 0.5 band deduction

121 to 130 = 1 band deduction
WOW!! So there was a good chance I could have a scored an 8.0

Wish I had known this before I could have got CLB 10 :(

Thanks for this!! Very valuable information
 

SithLord

VIP Member
Aug 18, 2017
6,873
5,135
A question: If I am using a word say "burden" twice in my 250 word essay, Is it a crime?
Not at all. You are allowed to repeat words more than once but as a general rule I have heard that if you do not repeat the same words again you stand a good chance to score a higher band. Using a lot of synonyms shows you have a good command of the English language
 
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thegeek

Full Member
Jun 16, 2018
34
6
Not at all. You are allowed to repeat words more than once but as a general rule I have heard that if you do not repeat the same words again you stand a good chance to score a higher band. Using a lot of synonyms shows you have a good command of the English language
Thank you for the reply. Yes, I always try but sometimes it becomes quite difficult. Specially in case of Nouns, I can only replace them with Pronouns.

Also, the synonyms I am comes out to be 1 or 2 max.
 

SithLord

VIP Member
Aug 18, 2017
6,873
5,135
Thank you for the reply. Yes, I always try but sometimes it becomes quite difficult. Specially in case of Nouns, I can only replace them with Pronouns.

Also, the synonyms I am comes out to be 1 or 2 max.
Add 'ing or ed' at the end of the synonyms if applicable. I read that this counts as a different word.

For example if you already used burden, try to form a sentence with the word burdened.
 
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