Practice IELTS Writing Task 1

(General)

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IELTS Writing Task 1 (General) Scoring Criteria

If you are aiming for a top band score in your IELTS Letter, understanding what the examiners are looking for is crucial. This is the official IELTS scoring criteria for IELTS Writing Task 1 (General) covering everything from how well you present data to the flow of your writing, your vocabulary, and your grammar.

Band 9

All the requirements of the task are fully and appropriately satisfied. There may be extremely rare lapses in content.

Task Response
All requirements of the task are fully and appropriately satisfied.
Coherence and Cohesion
The message can be followed effortlessly. Cohesion is used in such a way that it very rarely attracts attention. Paragraphing is skilfully managed.
Lexical Resource
A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately with very natural and sophisticated control. Minor errors in spelling and word formation are extremely rare and have minimal impact on communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of structures is used with full flexibility and control. Punctuation and grammar are used appropriately throughout. Minor errors are extremely rare and have minimal impact on communication.

Band 8

The response covers all the requirements of the task appropriately, relevantly, and sufficiently. There may be occasional omissions or lapses in content.

Task Response
The response covers all the requirements of the task appropriately and sufficiently.
Coherence and Cohesion
The message can be followed with ease. Information and ideas are logically sequenced, and cohesion is well managed. Occasional lapses in coherence or cohesion may occur. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately.
Lexical Resource
A wide resource is fluently and flexibly used to convey precise meanings. There is skilful use of uncommon and/or idiomatic items when appropriate, despite occasional inaccuracies. Occasional errors in spelling and/or word formation may occur but have minimal impact on communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of structures is flexibly and accurately used. The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is well managed. Occasional, non-systematic errors and inappropriacies occur but have minimal impact on communication.

Band 7

The response covers the requirements of the task. The content is relevant and accurate – there may be a few omissions or lapses. The format is appropriate.

Task Response
The response covers the requirements of the task. The content is relevant and accurate – there may be a few omissions or lapses.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information and ideas are logically organised and there is a clear progression throughout the response. A few lapses may occur. A range of cohesive devices including reference and substitution is used flexibly but with some inaccuracies or some over/under use.
Lexical Resource
The resource is sufficient to allow some flexibility and precision. There is some ability to use less common and/or idiomatic items. An awareness of style and collocation is evident, though inappropriacies occur. There are only a few errors in spelling and/or word formation, and they do not detract from overall clarity.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A variety of complex structures is used with some flexibility and accuracy. Grammar and punctuation are generally well controlled, and error-free sentences are frequent. A few errors in grammar may persist, but these do not impede communication.

Band 6

The response focuses on the requirements of the task and an appropriate format is used.

Task Response
The response focuses on the requirements of the task and an appropriate format is used. Some irrelevant, inappropriate or inaccurate information may occur in areas of detail or when illustrating or extending the main points.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information and ideas are generally arranged coherently and there is a clear overall progression. Cohesive devices are used to some good effect but cohesion within and/or between sentences may be faulty or mechanical due to misuse, overuse or omission.
Lexical Resource
The resource is generally adequate and appropriate for the task. The meaning is generally clear in spite of a rather restricted range or a lack of precision in word choice. There are some errors in spelling and/or word formation, but these do not impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A mix of simple and complex sentence forms is used but flexibility is limited. Examples of more complex structures are not marked by the same level of accuracy as in simple structures. Errors in grammar and punctuation occur, but rarely impede communication.

Band 5

The response generally addresses the requirements of the task. The format may be inappropriate in places.

Task Response
The response generally addresses the requirements of the task. The format may be inappropriate in places. The inclusion of irrelevant, inappropriate or inaccurate material in key areas detracts from the task achievement.
Coherence and Cohesion
Organisation is evident but is not wholly logical and there may be a lack of overall progression. The relationship of ideas can be followed but the sentences are not fluently linked to each other. There may be limited/overuse of cohesive devices with some inaccuracy.
Lexical Resource
The resource is limited but minimally adequate for the task. Simple vocabulary may be used accurately but the range does not permit much variation in expression. There may be frequent lapses in the appropriacy of word choice, and a lack of flexibility is apparent in frequent simplifications and/or repetitions. Errors in spelling and/or word formation may be noticeable and may cause some difficulty for the reader.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
The range of structures is limited and rather repetitive. Although complex sentences are attempted, they tend to be faulty, and the greatest accuracy is achieved on simple sentences. Grammatical errors may be frequent and cause some difficulty for the reader. Punctuation may be faulty.

Band 4

The response is an attempt to address the task. The format may be inappropriate.

Task Response
The response is an attempt to address the task. Not all bullet points are presented. The purpose of the letter is not clearly explained and may be confused. The format may be inappropriate.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information and ideas are evident but not arranged coherently, and there is no clear progression within the response. Relationships between ideas can be unclear and/or inadequately marked. There is some use of basic cohesive devices, which may be inaccurate or repetitive.
Lexical Resource
The resource is limited and inadequate for the task. Vocabulary is basic and may be used repetitively. There may be inappropriate use of lexical chunks (e.g. memorised phrases, formulaic language and/or language from the input material). Inappropriate word choice and/or errors in word formation and/or in spelling may impede meaning.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A very limited range of structures is used. Subordinate clauses are rare and simple sentences predominate. Some structures are produced accurately but grammatical errors are frequent and may impede meaning. Punctuation is often faulty or inadequate.

Band 3

The response does not address the requirements of the task (possibly because of misunderstanding).

Task Response
The response does not address the requirements of the task. Key features/bullet points which are presented may be largely irrelevant. Limited information is presented, and this may be used repetitively.
Coherence and Cohesion
There is no apparent logical organisation. Ideas are discernible but difficult to relate to each other. Minimal use of sequencers or cohesive devices. Those used do not necessarily indicate a logical relationship between ideas. There is difficulty in identifying referencing.
Lexical Resource
The resource is inadequate. Possible over-dependence on input material or memorised language. Control of word choice and/or spelling is very limited, and errors predominate. These errors may severely impede meaning.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Sentence forms are attempted, but errors in grammar and punctuation predominate. This prevents most meaning from coming through. Length may be insufficient to provide evidence of control of sentence forms.

Band 2

The content barely relates to the task. There is little relevant message, or the entire response may be off-topic.

Task Response
The content barely relates to the task. There is little relevant message, or the entire response may be off-topic.
Coherence and Cohesion
There is little evidence of control of organisational features.
Lexical Resource
The resource is extremely limited with few recognisable strings, apart from memorised phrases. There is no apparent control of word formation and/or spelling.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
There is little or no evidence of sentence forms (except in memorised phrases).

Band 1

The content is wholly unrelated to the task with no coherent message. Responses of 20 words or fewer are rated at Band 1.

Task Response
The content is wholly unrelated to the task. Any copied rubric must be discounted. Responses of 20 words or fewer are rated at Band 1. The writing fails to communicate any message and appears to be by a virtual non-writer.
Coherence and Cohesion
Responses of 20 words or fewer are rated at Band 1.
Lexical Resource
No resource is apparent, except for a few isolated words.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Responses of 20 words or fewer are rated at Band 1. No rateable language is evident.

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