IELTS Writing Prep: Task 1 & Task 2 Structure, Band 7+ Templates
Writing is the section where most candidates lose the half-band that matters. The tasks are predictable and the marking criteria are published, so band 7+ comes down to structure, time management, and enough corrected practice to stop repeating the same errors.
Format breakdown
The IELTS Writing section lasts 60 minutes and contains two tasks. Both are compulsory, and you manage the clock yourself — there is no signal telling you when to move from Task 1 to Task 2:
- Task 1 — 150 words minimum, 20 minutes recommended
- In Academic IELTS you describe visual information: a graph, a chart, a table, a process, or a diagram. In General Training you write a letter instead, in a formal, semi-formal, or informal register depending on the prompt.
- Task 2 — 250 words minimum, 40 minutes recommended
- An argumentative essay on a given topic: agree/disagree, discuss both views, problem and solution, or a two-part question. Same task in Academic and General Training, though Academic prompts tend to be more abstract.
Both tasks are marked on the same four criteria, each on the 9-band scale:
- Task Achievement (Task 1) / Task Response (Task 2) — did you answer the actual question, fully and relevantly?
- Coherence & Cohesion — paragraphing, logical progression, linking without overuse.
- Lexical Resource — range and precision of vocabulary, including collocation.
- Grammatical Range & Accuracy — variety of structures and how many error-free sentences you produce.
Strategies that work
Writing is the section where a template genuinely helps, because the examiner is looking for a predictable shape. Learn the two structures, then spend your practice time on content and language rather than layout.
- Task 1: overview first. Open with one sentence paraphrasing what the visual shows, then write an overview sentence naming the two or three biggest trends. No overview is one of the fastest ways to cap Task Achievement at band 5. Follow with 2–3 paragraphs of key features, each supported by specific data (figures, units, dates).
- Task 1: select, don't list. Group the data — highest and lowest, biggest change, anything that breaks the pattern. For a process or diagram, follow the stages in order and use sequencing language.
- Task 2: four paragraphs. Introduction (paraphrase the question, then a clear thesis statement giving your position), two body paragraphs, conclusion. Each body paragraph = topic sentence, explanation, then a concrete example.
- Task 2: commit to a position. Vague, both-sides-forever essays lose marks on Task Response. State what you think in the introduction and keep it consistent to the conclusion.
- Plan for 5 minutes. Spend roughly 5 of your 40 Task 2 minutes deciding your position, your two main ideas, and one example each. Planning is faster than rewriting a paragraph that has drifted off-topic.
- Protect the 20/40 split. Task 2 carries twice the weight of Task 1 in the final Writing score, so never let Task 1 eat into it. If you are still on Task 1 at minute 22, write your closing sentence and move on.
Common mistakes that cost band-7 learners their points
The errors that keep otherwise-capable candidates at band 6:
- Task 1: describing everything. Reporting every single number instead of selecting key features reads as a data dump and hurts Task Achievement. Select and compare.
- Task 1: no overview. A response with no summary of the main trends cannot reach band 6 on Task Achievement, however clean the English is.
- Task 1: giving an opinion. Academic Task 1 is description, not analysis. "This shows the government should act" is outside the task — you are not asked why the trend happened or what to do about it.
- Task 2: drifting off-topic. Answering a nearby question rather than the one asked is the single most expensive mistake in Writing. Re-read the prompt before your conclusion.
- Task 2: no clear position. If the examiner cannot say what you think after reading the essay, Task Response suffers.
- Task 2: weak or generic examples. "Many studies show" and "in some countries" are not examples. Use specific, plausible detail.
- Repetition and memorised phrases. Recycling the prompt's wording depresses Lexical Resource, and examiners are trained to spot pre-learned chunks and memorised sentences — they are discounted or penalised because they don't answer the specific question.
- Under-length answers. Below 150 words (Task 1) or 250 words (Task 2) you are penalised for length on top of any incomplete content. Learn roughly how many of your own handwritten lines equal 250 words.
- No conclusion in Task 2. An essay that stops mid-argument reads as unfinished and loses marks on both Task Response and Coherence & Cohesion.
Band-score benchmarks
Writing is not marked out of 40 like Listening and Reading. Each task is graded on the four criteria, the four criteria are weighted equally within a task, and then Task 2 counts twice as much as Task 1 in the final Writing band. In practice, that means Task 1 contributes about a third of the score and Task 2 about two thirds — so a strong Task 1 cannot rescue a weak essay.
| Band | Typical criteria profile | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 9 / 9 / 9 / 9 | Fully developed response, effortless cohesion, natural and precise vocabulary, virtually error-free. |
| 8 | 8 / 8 / 8 / 8 | All parts covered well, skilful paragraphing, wide vocabulary with rare slips, mostly error-free sentences. |
| 7 | 7 / 7 / 7 / 7 | Clear position throughout, logical paragraphs, some less common vocabulary, frequent error-free complex sentences. |
| 6 | 6 / 6 / 6 / 6 | Addresses the task but unevenly; linking is mechanical; errors appear but rarely block meaning. |
| 5 | 5 / 5 / 5 / 5 | Partial response, unclear progression, limited vocabulary, frequent errors that slow the reader down. |
A typical band 7 report reads "Task Response 7, Coherence & Cohesion 7, Lexical Resource 7, Grammatical Range & Accuracy 7" for an overall 7. Mixed profiles are averaged and rounded, so a 7/7/6/7 lands at 6.5 — one weak criterion is usually what stops candidates from reaching 7.
A 4-week practice plan
A four-week Writing block. Writing improves through corrected output, so build feedback into every week — self-marking alone plateaus fast:
- Week 1 — Task 1 under time. Write three timed Task 1 responses (20 minutes each, no dictionary) covering different visual types: a line graph, a bar chart or table, and a process or map. Get teacher feedback focused on Task Achievement: overview present, key features selected, data accurate.
- Week 2 — Task 2 under time. Three timed Task 2 essays (40 minutes each) across different prompt types: agree/disagree, discuss both views, problem and solution. Feedback focus: Coherence & Cohesion — paragraph structure, topic sentences, and linking that isn't bolted on.
- Week 3 — Lexical Resource drilling. No full essays. Build topic vocabulary for the recurring IELTS themes (education, environment, health, work, technology), drill collocations, and practise paraphrasing: rewrite ten prompts and ten body-paragraph sentences without repeating the original wording.
- Week 4 — Full cycles. Twice a week, sit a complete 60-minute Task 1 + Task 2 under exam conditions, handwritten if you are taking the paper test. Check word counts, check timing, and compare your marked scores against week 1 to see which criterion has actually moved.
Crystal Clear ESL
Ready-made online ESL curriculum with sequential lessons, interactive slides, games, homework, and assessments — useful for building the sentence-level accuracy and vocabulary range that IELTS Writing rewards.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Academic and General Training Task 1?
Academic Task 1 asks you to describe visual information — a graph, chart, table, process, or diagram — in at least 150 words. General Training Task 1 asks you to write a letter of at least 150 words in a formal, semi-formal, or informal register, depending on who you are writing to. Task 2 is an essay in both versions.
How many words should I write in IELTS Writing?
At least 150 words for Task 1 and at least 250 words for Task 2. Those are minimums, not targets — going under them is penalised. Aim for roughly 170–190 words on Task 1 and 260–290 on Task 2. Writing far more than that eats time and usually adds errors rather than marks.
Is Task 2 worth more than Task 1?
Yes. Task 2 carries twice the weight of Task 1 in your final Writing band. The four assessment criteria are weighted equally within each task, but Task 2 contributes roughly two thirds of the Writing score. That is why the recommended split is 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2.
Can I write in pen on the paper-based test?
Yes. On the paper-based test you may write your Writing answers in pen or pencil. Pencil is required for the Listening and Reading answer sheets, so many candidates simply use pencil throughout. On the computer-delivered test you type your answers and get a live word count.
Should I memorise essays or model answers?
No. Examiners are trained to identify memorised language, and pre-learned sentences that do not answer the specific question are discounted or penalised — they drag down Task Response and Lexical Resource. Learn structures and flexible sentence patterns instead of fixed paragraphs, then adapt them to the prompt in front of you.
How long does it take to improve Writing from 5.5 to 7?
Typically three to four months of consistent work with weekly corrected feedback. Writing is the slowest IELTS band to move because it depends on grammatical accuracy and vocabulary range, which build gradually. Candidates who only write practice essays without having them marked tend to repeat the same errors and stall around 6.