How to Write IELTS Essays to Score Band 9!
Planning to go study or work abroad? Aiming for excellent scores in your IELTS writing? Do you wish to get a band 9 score? Say no more because this is the article for you! Please go through this article to find writing tips, and applicants must get essay samples, which will help you get a band 9 in your IELTS essay. Taking the IELTS test is mandatory for studying or employment abroad, therefore applicants must get excellent scores in the writing section of the test.
Achieving a score of band 9 in the IELTS Writing requires a mastery of language and also knowledge of the assessment criteria and good writing strategies for the exam. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced applicant, going through this article will help you in turning your essay-writing skills from good to great!
Table of Content
- IELTS Writing Section
- 1. Writing – Academic
- 2. Writing – General Training
- IELTS Writing task 2: Essay Writing – Important tips for Band 9 score
- Step 1: Understand the question/task
- Step 2: Structure your ideas
- Step 3: Start with a captivating introduction
- Step 4: Write focused paragraphs
- Step 5: Display good vocabulary and language skills
- Step 6: Conclude properly:
- Step 7: Edit and revise your essay:
- Step 8: Avoid being redundant:
- Step 9: More is not always the best
- Step 10: Diligently practice time management
- Step 11: Seek help from experienced tutors and high-quality prep materials
- Sample Essays for IELTS to Achieve a Band Score of 9
- Sample 1: Discussion Essay
- Sample 2: Problems and Solutions Essay
- Sample 3: Advantages and Disadvantages Essay
- Conclusion
- How to Write IELTS Essays- FAQs
- Can we use formal idioms in IELTS writing?
- What are 4 types of IELTS essay?
- How to identify essay type?
- What is important in IELTS writing?
- What is not allowed in IELTS writing?
IELTS Writing Section
The most crucial part of test preparation for IELTS includes the writing section. The duration of test is 60 minutes and the writing section includes two parts- Academic and General Training, both of which have two tasks each. All of them are explained below for a better understanding of the candidates:
1. Writing – Academic
The Academic section of the Writing test includes two tasks, each covering topics of general relevance and suitability for individuals enrolling for undergraduate or postgraduate studies, or those seeking professional employment.
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Task 1 |
Task 2 |
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You will be asked to describe/summarize, the information presented in a graph, table, chart, or diagram in your own words. |
You will be given an essay to write in response to a point of view, argument, or problem. |
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You can expect questions asking you to explain data, the stages of a process, how something works, describe an object or event, get an essay etc. |
Responses to both tasks must be written in a formal style. |
2. Writing – General Training
The General Training section of the Writing test also includes two tasks that focus on topics of general interest, which were made to assess candidates’ ability to communicate properly in common real-life situations.
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Task 1 |
Task 2 |
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You will be given a situation and asked to write a letter according to the given situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal, or formal in style. |
You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem. The essay can be more personal in style than the Academic Writing. |
IELTS Writing Task 2: Essay Writing – Important tips for Band 9 score
Given below is a step-by-step guide to the IELTS Essay writing task:
Step 1: Understand the question/task
- Grasp the keyword in the question to ensure a high score in essay writing.
- Carefully read and comprehend the question before answering. Identify the type of essay they expect you to write.
- Take note of any specific instructions like word limits, or key points to address.
Step 2: Structure your ideas
- Do not immediately start writing after reading the question and spend a few minutes generating ideas related to the question.
- Clearly structure the outline of your essay in your mind which should include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
- Decide on your main focus points for each paragraph and organize your ideas logically.
Step 3: Start with a captivating introduction
- A captivating opening that grabs the reader’s attention is always the best way to start your essay.
- Always provide some context to your topic in the introduction.
- The introduction should clearly state the main focus of your essay, which will be followed throughout in the your essay.
Step 4: Write focused paragraphs
- Start each paragraph with a sentence that focuses on the primary concept of the essay.
- Support your ideas with relevant examples, facts, or evidence.
- Make sure that the transitions between paragraphs are smooth and comprehensive.
Step 5: Display good vocabulary and language skills
- Make sure to use an extensive range of vocabulary and grammatical structures.
- Express your ideas precisely and accurately.
- Use proverbs and phrases, if you can in relation to the topic.
Step 6: Conclude properly:
- Provide a concise summary of the key points focused in the whole essay.
- Give a proper closing statement.
- Leave the reader with a lasting impression or a thought-provoking question.
Step 7: Edit and revise your essay:
- Allot some time in the end to re-read your essay to make sure there are no grammatical errors or spelling mistakes.
- Make necessary revisions to improve overall quality of your essay.
- Make sure your paragraphs are coherent and comprehensive.
Step 8: Avoid being redundant:
- Make sure your answers are not repetitive.
- Avoid writing irrelevant information and unnecessarily repeating something. It will only make your writing too long and distract the examiner.
Step 9: More is not always the best
- The idea that lengthy essays will get you more marks is not always true.
- Ensure that you write approx. 300 words in task 2 as reading long answers can be frustrating for the examiner.
- Writing lengthy essays will also leave you with less time to revise.
Step 10: Diligently practice time management
- Make sure you have appropriate amount of time for each task.
- Practice writing essays within the given time limit to develop speed and efficiency.
- Keep track of your progress and adjust your writing speed accordingly.
Step 11: Seek help from experienced tutors and high-quality prep materials
- Share your essays with a teacher or experienced tutors for feedback.
- Identify areas that need improvement and work on enhancing those skills.
- Practice writing essays regularly to refine your technique.
Follow these guidelines to practice your essay writing skills and boost your confidence!
Sample Essays for IELTS to Achieve a Band Score of 9
Some sample essays are given below in order to help the candidates enhance their writing skills:
Sample 1: Discussion Essay
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Question: Computers are being used more and more in education. Some people say that this is a positive trend, while others argue that it is leading to negative consequences. Discuss both sides of this argument and then give your own opinion. Answer: Technological advancement and innovations have taken over the classrooms. It is often argued that this is a positive development, whilst others disagree and think it will lead to adverse consequences. Despite the disadvantages, an technological advancement is beneficial to students and teachers. It is evident that the internet has has made information more accessible to students than ever before. Moreover, students can now research and learn about any subject at the touch of a button. It is therefore agreed that technology is a very worthwhile tool for education. Wikipedia is a prime example, where students can simply type in any keyword and gain access to in-depth knowledge quickly and easily. However, many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human interaction. Human interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse, debate and empathy. Despite this, human interaction is still possible through the internet and this essay disagrees technology should be dismissed for this reason. For instance, Skype and Facebook make it possible for people to interact in ways that were never before possible. In conclusion, while the benefits of technology, particularly the internet, allow students to tap in to limitless sources of information, some still feel that people should be wary of this new phenomenon and not allow it to curb face to face interaction. However, as long as we are careful to keep in mind the importance of human interaction in education, the educational benefits are clearly positive. |
Sample 2: Problems and Solutions Essay
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Question: Global warming is one of the biggest threats humans face in the 21st Century, and sea levels are continuing to rise at alarming rates. What problems are associated with this and what are some possible solutions. Answer: Climate change is among the principal dangers facing people this century, and ocean levels are increasing dramatically. We find that the biggest problems caused by this phenomenon are the loss of land and the flooding of homes and that pollution reduction and building flood protection are the most viable solutions. The foremost problems caused by climbing sea levels are that land is being lost and peoples’ residences are often flooded. As water levels rise, low-lying land is submerged and many countries become smaller. People living in coastal areas are in great danger because if the sea levels rise by even a few feet, they would be flooded, resulting in loss of life and property. Prime example is the 2011 Tsunami in Japan, in which so many people were displaced. Possible solutions to these problems would be to reduce pollution and to build flood barriers. If each person reduces their carbon footprint, the negative effects on the environment will be reduced and this will mean that the water level will stop rising. Furthermore, flood defenses, such as dikes, dams, and floodgates, could be built along coasts and waterways, thereby stopping the water reaching populated areas. The Netherlands is one of the most populated areas in the world and also one of the most vulnerable to flooding and they have successfully employed various flood defence systems. To conclude, stemming the rising tides caused by increasing global temperatures is one of the foremost challenges we face and it will ultimately lead to some countries losing landmass and many of the worlds’ cities being left underwater, but possible solutions could be to protect our environment and to utilize the flood prevention techniques already used by countries like Holland. |
Sample 3: Advantages and Disadvantages Essay
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Question: Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at primary schools rather than secondary school. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages? Answer: Some experts think that it is more favorable for children to begin studying languages at primary school instead of secondary school. We find that the advantages of this outweigh the drawbacks. We will first demonstrate that the earlier someone learns an additional language the more likely they are to master it and that it brings added cognitive benefits, followed by an analysis of how the primary disadvantage, namely confusion with their native tongue, is not valid. The main reason to start kids off with foreign languages early is that this increases the likelihood they will achieve fluency in adulthood. That is to say that they will have far more years to perfect their skills and it will seem perfectly normal to speak bilingually. For example, in countries such as Holland and Norway where English is taught from a very young age, more than 95% of adults speak it at an advanced level. Learning a second language also helps to improve overall cognitive abilities. In other words, it benefits the overall development of a child’s brain. A recent survey by Cambridge University found that children who studied a new language before the age of 5 were significantly more likely to score higher in Mathematics and Science. Those opposed to this say that it causes the child to become confused between their mother tongue and the other language. However, there is actually no evidence to support this view and children from bilingual families do just as well in both languages. On balance, the fact that early foreign language learning leads to higher fluency and improved brain function clearly outweighs the flawed argument that it impairs uptake of native languages. |
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Conclusion
Writing is an important aspect of the IELTS exam. Getting excellent scores in essay writing will definitely improve the prospects of clearing the exam for the applicants. A good understanding of the English language and a proper grasp of grammar along with the knowledge of how the writing will be assessed in the exam are the key to scoring band 9 in essay writing. Diligently practicing with a timer, and seeking feedback from experienced tutor will greatly improve one writing skills and help boost their confidence, which are important for achieving excellent scores in essay writing.
How to Write IELTS Essays- FAQs
Can we use formal idioms in IELTS writing?
Only use idioms when it is appropriate. Writing Task 1 Academic, Writing Task 2 and formal letters are not appropriate as they require a formal tone. Don’t overuse idioms in the Speaking test. Don’t use idioms you don’t understand.
What are 4 types of IELTS essay?
Some of the essay types seen in IELTS exams are- 1. Opinion essays (Agree or Disagree)
2. Advantages and Disadvantages essays.
3. Discussion (Discuss Both Views) essays.
4. Problem and Solution essays
How to identify essay type?
Argumentative and expository essays are focused on conveying information and making clear points, while narrative and descriptive essays are about exercising creativity and writing in an interesting way.
What is important in IELTS writing?
On all writing tasks, paragraphing is important. You will really limit your score if you don’t use paragraphs or don’t use them well. So, make sure when you are preparing for the exam , you must review and practice proper paragraphs. A few key ideas here are topic sentences, supporting ideas, and staying on topic.
What is not allowed in IELTS writing?
Avoid using contractions in your sentences. Example, can’t, don’t, it’s etc. Slang words and colloquialisms should be avoided in the writing tasks. Do not use the same words repeatedly.
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