IELTS Task 2 Writing band descriptors (public version)

Band Task Response Coherence and Cohesion Lexical Resource Grammatical Range and Accuracy
9 ƒ fully addresses all parts of the task ƒ uses cohesion in such a way that it ƒ uses a wide range of vocabulary ƒ uses a wide range of structures with
ƒ presents a fully developed position in attracts no attention with very natural and full flexibility and accuracy; rare minor
answer to the question with relevant, fully ƒ skilfully manages paragraphing sophisticated control of lexical errors occur only as ‘slips’
extended and well supported ideas features; rare minor errors occur
only as ‘slips’
8 ƒ sufficiently addresses all parts of the task ƒ sequences information and ideas ƒ uses a wide range of vocabulary ƒ uses a wide range of structures
ƒ presents a well-developed response to the logically fluently and flexibly to convey ƒ the majority of sentences are error-free
question with relevant, extended and ƒ manages all aspects of cohesion well precise meanings ƒ makes only very occasional errors or
supported ideas ƒ uses paragraphing sufficiently and ƒ skilfully uses uncommon lexical inappropriacies
appropriately items but there may be
occasional inaccuracies in word
choice and collocation
ƒ produces rare errors in spelling
and/or word formation
7 ƒ addresses all parts of the task ƒ logically organises information and ideas; ƒ uses a sufficient range of ƒ uses a variety of complex structures
ƒ presents a clear position throughout the there is clear progression throughout vocabulary to allow some ƒ produces frequent error-free sentences
response ƒ uses a range of cohesive devices flexibility and precision ƒ has good control of grammar and
ƒ presents, extends and supports main ideas, appropriately although there may be ƒ uses less common lexical items punctuation but may make a few errors
but there may be a tendency to over- some under-/over-use with some awareness of style
generalise and/or supporting ideas may ƒ presents a clear central topic within each and collocation
lack focus paragraph ƒ may produce occasional errors
in word choice, spelling and/or
word formation

6 ƒ addresses all parts of the task although ƒ arranges information and ideas ƒ uses an adequate range of ƒ uses a mix of simple and complex
some parts may be more fully covered than coherently and there is a clear overall vocabulary for the task sentence forms
others progression ƒ attempts to use less common ƒ makes some errors in grammar and
ƒ presents a relevant position although the ƒ uses cohesive devices effectively, but vocabulary but with some punctuation but they rarely reduce
conclusions may become unclear or cohesion within and/or between inaccuracy communication
repetitive sentences may be faulty or mechanical ƒ makes some errors in spelling
ƒ presents relevant main ideas but some may ƒ may not always use referencing clearly or and/or word formation, but they
be inadequately developed/unclear appropriately do not impede communication
ƒ uses paragraphing, but not always
logically
5 ƒ addresses the task only partially; the format ƒ presents information with some ƒ uses a limited range of ƒ uses only a limited range of structures
may be inappropriate in places organisation but there may be a lack of vocabulary, but this is minimally ƒ attempts complex sentences but these
ƒ expresses a position but the development overall progression adequate for the task tend to be less accurate than simple
is not always clear and there may be no ƒ makes inadequate, inaccurate or over- ƒ may make noticeable errors in sentences
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 conclusions drawn use of cohesive devices spelling and/or word formation ƒ may make frequent grammatical errors
ƒ presents some main ideas but these are ƒ may be repetitive because of lack of that may cause some difficulty and punctuation may be faulty; errors
limited and not sufficiently developed; there referencing and substitution for the reader can cause some difficulty for the
may be irrelevant detail ƒ may not write in paragraphs, or reader
paragraphing may be inadequate
4 ƒ responds to the task only in a minimal way ƒ presents information and ideas but these ƒ uses only basic vocabulary ƒ uses only a very limited range of
or the answer is tangential; the format may are not arranged coherently and there is which may be used repetitively structures with only rare use of
be inappropriate no clear progression in the response or which may be inappropriate subordinate clauses
ƒ presents a position but this is unclear ƒ uses some basic cohesive devices but for the task ƒ some structures are accurate but
ƒ presents some main ideas but these are these may be inaccurate or repetitive ƒ has limited control of word errors predominate, and punctuation is
difficult to identify and may be repetitive, ƒ may not write in paragraphs or their use formation and/or spelling; errors often faulty
irrelevant or not well supported may be confusing may cause strain for the reader

3 ƒ does not adequately address any part of ƒ does not organise ideas logically ƒ uses only a very limited range of ƒ attempts sentence forms but errors in
the task ƒ may use a very limited range of cohesive words and expressions with grammar and punctuation predominate
ƒ does not express a clear position devices, and those used may not indicate very limited control of word and distort the meaning
ƒ presents few ideas, which are largely a logical relationship between ideas formation and/or spelling
undeveloped or irrelevant ƒ errors may severely distort the
message
2 ƒ barely responds to the task ƒ has very little control of organisational ƒ uses an extremely limited range ƒ cannot use sentence forms except in
ƒ does not express a position features of vocabulary; essentially no memorised phrases
ƒ may attempt to present one or two ideas control of word formation and/or
but there is no development spelling
1 ƒ answer is completely unrelated to the task ƒ fails to communicate any message ƒ can only use a few isolated ƒ cannot use sentence forms at all
words
0
ƒ does not attend
ƒ does not attempt the task in any way
ƒ writes a totally memorised response

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