IELTS - Writing assessment criteria for task 2
2023

Writing Task 2 is the second component of the IELTS writing section. In this segment, the candidates are given a point of view, argument, or topic and asked to compose an essay in response. This response has a word limit of 250 words and must be completed in 40 minutes. It focuses on assessing the applicant's ability to compose a response that is coherent in terms of content, ideas, appropriate word use, and syntax. Test takers must present their ideas and explanations for their arguments, and their writing must be grammatically correct. The IELTS Writing Task 2 subjects are intended to assess candidates' writing skills in order to establish their suitability to study and work in English-speaking countries.
Band |
Task response |
Coherence and cohesion |
Lexical resource |
Grammatical range and accuracy |
9 |
Address all parts of the task with relevant, fully extended, and well-supported ideas |
Can use cohesion – properly manages paragraphing |
Range of vocabulary with minor errors |
Different types of structures with flexibility and accuracy - no errors. |
8 |
Speaks fluently - occasional repetition – coherent topics with proper development |
Wide vocabulary - a few errors – occasional inaccuracies - effective paraphrasing |
Variety of structures - error-free |
Flexibility - occasional lapses – easy |
7 |
Limited loss of coherence - some repetition - self-correction - use of good connectives |
Flexible vocabulary - awareness of style and collocation. |
Complex structures with better flexibility - error-free sentences - few grammatical mistakes |
All positive features of Band 6 and a few positive features of Band 8 as well. |
6 |
Improper addressing – a few errors |
>Wide vocabulary - paraphrases without error |
Good use of simple and complex structures- some mistakes |
Mostly correct grammar |
5 |
Maintains a flow – repetition - certain connectives |
Good use of vocabulary in familiar and unfamiliar topics - mixed success |
Basic sentence forms - accuracy - limited range of complex structures |
Limited range of accuracy |
4 |
Improperly addressing |
Poor and basic word choice |
Mostly simple sentences |
Multiple errors |
3 |
Improperly addressing with error |
Insufficient vocabulary |
Basic sentences |
Multiple inaccuracies |
2 |
Lacks proper writing skills |
Basically memorized |
Can produce basic sentence forms |
Speech is mostly unclear |
1 |
Unclear. |
- |
- |
- |
0 |
Does not attend |
- |
- |
- |
The IELTS Writing Task 2 is scored on a scale of 0-9, with half-band scores also available. To achieve a high score in IELTS Writing Task 2, you need to ensure that you have addressed the question fully, structured your essay well, used appropriate vocabulary and grammar, and avoided errors.
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