Common IELTS Writing Mistakes: Why Scores Stall at Band 6.5

In IELTS Writing Task 2, prompts often narrow the topic with qualifiers like 'the best way', 'only', or plural nouns like 'problems and solutions'. Writing a general memorised essay on the broad theme caps Task Response at Band 6.0.

Underline every part of the prompt before planning. Make sure your introduction and both body paragraphs address the exact relationship the question asks about.

Band 6.0 paragraphs often read like a list: 'First, public transport reduces traffic. Second, it is cheaper. Third, it helps the environment.' Because none of those claims is explained, the examiner cannot award Band 7.0 for idea development.

Choose one strong claim per body paragraph, explain why it happens in two sentences, and illustrate it with one concrete example during IELTS Writing practice.

Starting nearly every sentence with 'Furthermore,', 'Moreover,', 'In addition,', or 'Consequently,' makes cohesion look mechanical and can hold Coherence and Cohesion to Band 6.0.

Connect sentences naturally with demonstrative pronouns and summary nouns ('This shift in commuting habits...', 'Such measures...', 'Despite these initial costs...') and use explicit linkers only when the logic genuinely turns.

In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, two habits immediately lower Task Achievement: forgetting a clear overview paragraph, or guessing why a trend occurred ('Exports fell in 2020 because of global lockdowns').

Summarize the main trends in Paragraph 2, compare the figures objectively in Paragraphs 3 and 4, and leave outside explanations out of the report.

Band 7.0 in Grammatical Range and Accuracy requires a variety of complex structures alongside frequent error-free sentences. Candidates who try to pack four clauses into every sentence often lose control of articles, prepositions, and subject-verb agreement.

Mix clear, accurate complex sentences (using 'although', 'while', 'which', or 'if') with direct simple sentences, and save 5 minutes at the end to proofread.