Marking Criteria for Writing Task 2
The IELTS writing task 2 is graded based on 4 marking criteria namely,
- Task Achievement
- Coherence and Cohesion
- Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Each marking criteria is allocated a 25% score which will be added up to your total scores.
Let’s look at each marking criteria from band 5 to band 9.
Task Achievement
The examiner checks how accurate you are at answering the question.
|
Band Score 5 |
Band Score 6 |
Band Score 7 |
Band Score 8 |
Band Score 9 |
|
Addresses the task only partially; the format may be inappropriate in places
Expresses a position but the development is not always clear and there may be no conclusions drawn
Presents some main ideas but these are limited and not sufficiently developed; there may be irrelevant detail |
Addresses all parts of the task although some parts may be more fully covered than others
Presents a relevant position although the conclusions may become unclear or repetitive
Presents relevant main ideas but some may be inadequately developed/unclear |
Addresses all parts of the task
Presents a clear position throughout the response
Presents, extends and supports main ideas, but there may be a tendency to overgeneralise and/or supporting ideas may lack focus |
Sufficiently addresses all parts of the task
Presents a well-developed response to the question with relevant, extended and supported ideas |
Fully addresses all parts of the task
Presents a fully developed position in answer to the question with relevant, fully extended and well supported ideas |
You can increase your score in Task Achievement, if you;
- Address the task given in the question.
- Write your thesis appropriately.
- Answer parts of the essay in the question.
- Clearly express your thoughts and support it with fully developed examples or ideas.
- Write above 250 words as there will be a penalty for reports that are below the word count.
Coherence and Cohesion:
The examiner checks your ability to organise your ideas, use of linking words, paragraphing, spacing and referencing.
|
Band Score 5 |
Band Score 6 |
Band Score 7 |
Band Score 8 |
Band Score 9 |
|
Presents information with some organisation but there may be a lack of overall progression
Makes inadequate, inaccurate or over use of cohesive devices
May be repetitive because of lack of referencing and substitution
May not write in paragraphs, or paragraphing may be inadequate |
Arranges information and ideas coherently and there is a clear overall progression
Uses cohesive devices effectively, but cohesion within and/or between sentences may be faulty or mechanical
May not always use referencing clearly or appropriately
Uses paragraphing, but not always logically |
Logically organises information and ideas; there is clear progression throughout
Uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately although there may be some under-/over-use
Presents a clear central topic within each paragraph |
Sequences information and ideas logically
Manages all aspects of cohesion well
Uses paragraphing sufficiently and appropriately |
Uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention
Skilfully manages paragraphing |
You can increase your score in Coherence and Cohesion, if you;
- Have a plan before attempting the question.
- Organise your ideas and information logically.
- Structure and paragraph your report accurately.
- Do not present two opposing views in one paragraph.
- Use diverse cohesive devices to link sentences, paragraphs, and ideas accurately and adequately.
- Do not make mistakes with cohesive devices.
- Use references like that, this, it, etc. accurately
- Write the essay with clear ideas that are easy to understand.
Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)
The examiner checks the spellings, word formation, vocabulary, paraphrasing, and the use of collocations in your essay.
|
Band Score 5 |
Band Score 6 |
Band Score 7 |
Band Score 8 |
Band Score 9 |
|
Uses a limited range of vocabulary, but this is minimally adequate for the task
May make noticeable errors in spelling and/or word formation that may cause some difficulty for the reader |
Uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task
Attempts to use less common vocabulary but with some inaccuracy
Makes some errors in spelling and/or word formation, but they do not impede communication |
Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision
Uses less common lexical items with some awareness of style and collocation
May produce occasional errors in word choice, spelling and/or word formation |
Uses a wide range of vocabulary
Fluently and flexibly to convey precise meanings
Skilfully uses uncommon lexical items but there may be occasional inaccuracies in word choice and collocation
Produces rare errors in spelling and/or word formation |
Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features; rare minor errors occur only as ‘slips’ |
You can increase your score in Vocabulary, if you;
- Use a wide range of vocabulary in your essay.
- Use topic specific words/vocabulary.
- Understand matching verbs with nouns i.e., collocations.
- Avoid making mistakes in spellings.
- Use your vocabulary correctly.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Here, your band score depends on the sentence structures, control of grammar, number of grammar errors, and the use of tenses in your essay.
|
Band Score 5 |
Band Score 6 |
Band Score 7 |
Band Score 8 |
Band Score 9 |
|
Uses only a limited range of structures
Attempts complex sentences but these tend to be less accurate than simple sentences
May make frequent grammatical errors and punctuation may be faulty; errors can cause some difficulty for the reader |
Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms
Makes some errors in grammar and punctuation but they rarely reduce communication |
Uses a variety of complex structures
Produces frequent error-free sentences
Has good control of grammar and punctuation but may make a few errors |
Uses a wide range of structures
The majority of sentences are error-free
Makes only very occasional errors or inappropriacy |
Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy; rare minor errors occur only as ‘slips’ |
You can increase your score in Grammatical Range and Accuracy, if you;
- Use diverse sentence structures like, complex sentences and compound sentences.
- Use correct tenses.
- Put the right adjective noun/ adverb verb in order.
- Write error-free sentences.
- Put your punctuation marks appropriately.
- Check your grammatical errors.
An Example of how Scores in Writing Task 2 is Calculated:
Candidates will get a band score each for the aforementioned IELTS Marking Criteria in Writing Task 2. Here is an example;
- Task Achievement: Band 7
- Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6
- Grammar: Band 7
- Vocabulary: Band 6
Your total score for IELTS writing task 2 will be calculated by adding up the four sections: 7 + 6 + 7 + 6 = 26. Then, the total score is divided by 4: 26 / 4 = 6.5. Please, note though your total score in Writing Task 2 is only 66.6% of your total writing band score.
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