IELTS Writing has two tasks, and most candidates underperform on at least one of them - usually because they misunderstand what examiners are actually assessing. This section covers model answers and examiner commentary for both Task 1 and Task 2, with explanations of what makes each response score at Band 7 and above.
Writing answers at a glance
What examiners look for is detailed in the official IELTS Writing scoring criteria.
The two tasks
Describe, summarise or explain
- Academic: describe a chart, graph, table, diagram or process
- General Training: write a letter (formal, semi-formal or informal)
- Minimum 150 words, 20 minutes recommended
- Worth one third of your Writing band score
Write a discursive essay
- Both Academic and GT: respond to a point of view, argument or problem
- Minimum 250 words, 40 minutes recommended
- Worth two thirds of your Writing band score
- Five essay types: opinion, discussion, advantage/disadvantage, problem/solution, two-part question
Task 2 is worth twice as much as Task 1. If you run out of time, it is always better to have a complete Task 2 and an incomplete Task 1 than the other way around. Aim for 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2 - and stick to it.
The four marking criteria
Task Achievement / Task Response (25%)
Did you answer the question fully? Task 1: did you cover all key features? Task 2: did you address all parts of the question with a clear position? This is the criterion most candidates lose marks on without realising - usually by under-developing their argument or omitting a key part of the question.
Coherence and Cohesion (25%)
Does your writing flow logically? Are ideas organised into clear paragraphs with appropriate linking? Overusing discourse markers ("Furthermore... Moreover... In addition...") is penalised here - so is having no logical structure at all.
Lexical Resource (25%)
Range and accuracy of vocabulary. Using the same words repeatedly, using words incorrectly, or mixing formal and informal register all reduce this score. Paraphrasing the question in your introduction - not copying it - is a basic requirement.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy (25%)
Variety of sentence structures used accurately. Simple sentences throughout will cap your score. Complex sentences with errors are penalised. The goal is a range of structures - complex, compound, passive, conditional - used with general accuracy.
Browse model answers by task
Writing Task 1 Model Answers
Academic chart and graph descriptions, GT letter writing. Annotated Band 7+ responses showing exactly what earns marks on each criterion.
Browse Task 1 answers → Task 2Writing Task 2 Model Answers
All five essay types covered - opinion, discussion, advantage/disadvantage, problem/solution, two-part. Band 7+ model essays with structure breakdowns.
Browse Task 2 answers →Common reasons Writing scores stall
Copying the question
Examiners deduct marks for lifted language. Your introduction must paraphrase the question in your own words - every time
Undercounting words
Responses under 150 words (Task 1) or 250 words (Task 2) are penalised on Task Achievement regardless of quality
Missing parts of the question
Task 2 questions often have two parts. Answering only one half is one of the most common Band 6 ceilings
No clear position in opinion essays
If the question asks for your opinion, examiners expect a clear, consistent stance - not a vague "there are pros and cons"
Model answers show you what a high-scoring response looks like - but reading them passively has limited value. For each model answer: read the question, attempt your own response first, then compare. Identify specifically what the model does that yours does not. That gap is what you need to practise.
How to study a model answer
| Criterion | What to pull from the model | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Task Response | How the writer states and holds a position | You learn to answer the question fully |
| Coherence and Cohesion | The links used between paragraphs | Your ideas start to flow better |
| Lexical Resource | 3 to 5 useful phrases worth reusing | You build natural, varied vocabulary |
| Grammatical Range | The complex sentences used | You widen your sentence range with control |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Academic and General Training Writing?
Task 2 is identical in both - you write a discursive essay responding to a point of view, argument or problem. Task 1 differs: Academic candidates describe a visual (chart, graph, diagram, process map); General Training candidates write a letter. The four marking criteria and band descriptors are the same for both.
How many words should I write for Task 1 and Task 2?
The minimums are 150 words for Task 1 and 250 words for Task 2. Writing significantly more than required does not improve your score and increases the risk of errors. Most Band 7+ responses are 170-200 words for Task 1 and 270-300 words for Task 2. There is no advantage to writing 400-word essays.
Can I use the same essay structure for every Task 2 question?
A fixed template is risky. Examiners can identify them, and a template forced onto a question it does not fit actively reduces your Task Response score. The five Task 2 question types (opinion, discussion, advantage/disadvantage, problem/solution, two-part) each require a different organisational approach. Understanding these types is more useful than memorising a single template.
Does handwriting quality affect IELTS Writing scores?
For paper-based tests, legibility matters - examiners cannot award marks for text they cannot read. You do not need neat handwriting, but you do need readable handwriting. For computer-delivered IELTS, you type your responses, so handwriting is not relevant.