(Video) Do you want to know the difference between band 6, 7 and 8 writing on the IELTS exam?

Posted on Monday, 06. February 2012

Often students tell me they don’t quite understand their IELTS results.  Their question is either: how can I go from a band 6 to 7 or how can I go from a band 7 to 8?

In this video, my goal is to outline in depth what the difference is between these different bands in the writing portion of the exam.  Before watching this video, please familiarize yourself with the following pdf files:
1) IELTS writing sample script (http://www.ielts.org/PDF/113313_AC_sample_scripts.pdf)
2) IELTS Task 2 Writing band descriptors (http://www.ielts.org/pdf/UOBDs_WritingT2.pdf)

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Posted In Ryan's IELTS posts, Task 1 (Academic), Task 1 (General), Task 2 (Academic), Task 2 (General)
 
 
17 Comments. Leave a comment or set a Trackback.
  1. #1 • Anonymous On 06.02.2012 said:
     

    thank u Ryan

  2. #2 • Ahmed On 06.02.2012 said:
     

    It is really very great lesson and I’m appreciated it to you. I want to thank you more than what the mouth can tell. You are giving to your audience a genuinely support to succeed in their IELTS preparation. Once again thank for your honest contribution.

  3. #3 • Radmila On 06.02.2012 said:
     

    I appreciate your endevour providing us with a guidance in the differences between these band scores. And want especially underline the utility of explaining parallel structures, the area in which many make mistakes=) So, thank you again!

  4. #4 • Chigozie Onuzulike On 06.02.2012 said:
     

    Ryan, kindly resend this particular entry again to my box as this one refuses to open. Thanks.

  5. #5 • vivian lai On 06.02.2012 said:
     

    Dear Ryan,

    the video is very useful as it illustrated the difference between different bands in ielts examination. But for the band 7 writing, my personal opinion is, though the organization and idea expression of the essay is very clear, but it seems that there are quite a lot of repetitions. For example, the author argued the advantages of nuclear power is effective, limitless but restricted to those of world power. These senstences repeat in the other paragraph using almost same words.

    Vivian

  6. #6 • kashif tanoli On 08.02.2012 said:
     

    hi ryan this video is as a great helping tool for me for IELTS writing. I just ask u about task achievement i which if i mention my personal experience like FOR INSTANCE, IN MY COUNTRY, PAKISTAN , MAJORITY PEOPLE ARE WEARING TRADITIONAL DRESS. WHAT BAND THE SENTENCE STAND FOR. to you thank that we should include this type of exaple in ielts task 2 . thank u once again for wonderful viodeo

  7. #7 • Ryan On 12.02.2012 said:
     

    Hi Kashif,

    It is difficult to say what band a single sentence would receive when its not coupled with the other sentences that make up an essay. For your information, the sentence you’ve supplied is grammatically incorrect.

    Good luck,
    Ryan

  8. #8 • Ryan On 12.02.2012 said:
     

    Hi Vivian,

    Yes, I agree with you that the essay is repetitive at times. But please keep in mind that this is an official example from the IELTS.org website, so I hesitate to question the accuracy of the mark.

    Good luck,
    Ryan

  9. #9 • Ryan On 12.02.2012 said:
     

    Thanks, Radmila. Yes, parallelism is a common area for mistakes.

  10. #10 • Ryan On 12.02.2012 said:
     

    My pleasure, Ahmed. I’m happy you find it helpful.

  11. #11 • Jerlan On 13.02.2012 said:
     

    Thanks very much Ryan…But you forgot to mention the proper indention of the paragraph in your example

    This is really a big help..

  12. #12 • Ryan On 13.02.2012 said:
     

    Hi Jerlan,

    Thanks for the message. Are you referring to the lack of indentation in the essay example? I have been told by examiners that students do not need to indent their paragraphs.

    Good luck,
    Ryan

  13. #13 • babi On 17.02.2012 said:
     

    hi ryan this video is really helpful for everyone …thank you

  14. #14 • Ellen On 28.02.2012 said:
     

    Dear Ryan,

    In the last part of video, you suggested that we should avoid using pronoun like “I” or “we” to make our essay more academic. I am wondering what if the question asks our own opinion, for example, do you agree or disagree? Should we still insist to use passive phrase such as “it is believed that …”, will I lose some points in task achievement because I do not directly answer the question?

    Look forward to your reply,

    Ellen

  15. #15 • Ryan On 01.03.2012 said:
     

    @Ellen If the question simply asks, ‘Do you agree or disagree’, stick to the passive. If the question says, ‘Share personal examples’, then you don’t have much choice but to use personal pronouns. In response to your second question, I have never heard of anyone who lost marks for writing passively.

  16. #16 • Anonymous On 17.05.2012 said:
     

    Hi Ryan,
    first of all I would like to thank you for being a great help to all students who are preparing for IELTS Exam, your videos are really helpful. Could you please suggest me what best I can do to improve my writing skills for Band 7, I have booked an Exam for May 26th.
    Thank you
    Naresh

  17. #17 • Anonymous On 19.04.2013 said:
     

    Hi Ryan,

    Thanks for sharing useful and exhaustive information for writing section free of cost.I could score 8 in writing with the help of useful tips you shared in the videos.

 

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