IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic: Tips to Improve the Score and Get 7+ Bands

In the IELTS test, as per many surveys, the most challenging component of all is IELTS Writing task. The module consists of two tasks, but first, we will look at IELTS Writing Task 1 of Academic and the effective tips and strategies to score a high of band 7 or more.

Academic writing task of the IELTS exam requires you to write a report on a data set presented in the form of a graph, table, chart, diagram, or process. You will have 20 minutes to complete the task, and you have to write your answer in at least 150 words to get the score you need.

Before presenting your report on the given task, you need to understand what the examiner wants from Academic writing task 1.

Know the Marking Criteria

The best way to boost your score in writing is to know the marking criteria for each band.

The following is IELTS writing task 1 band descriptors which you can follow to score a perfect band 8 in your IELTS writing task 1 Academic and accomplish the correct form of a report.

IELTS Writing Task 1 Band Descriptors

There are four factors: Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical range and accuracy

Observe the chart; there are four factors: Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical range and accuracy. The examiner marks your score considering these four factors, and therefore each element is 25% worth your total marks.

While we go through the marking criteria, I will provide you with essential tips to improve each factor.

Task Achievement – In this part, the examiner ensures whether your answer covers all the task requirements or not. For instance, for a band 8, you need to satisfy all the task requirements sufficiently, but if you clearly meet full specifications, you get a high-scoring band 9.
Coherence and Cohesion – You need to be attentive to your writing style as you reach to complete your task. Under Coherence and Cohesion, the examiner assesses your logical arrangement of ideas, paragraphing, progression, and use of cohesion between sentences being faulty or mechanical. To improve your IELTS writing task 1 Academic be attentive to what you are bringing on the paper.
Lexical Resource – Assessment considering Lexical resource monitors your use of vocabulary. Having said that, you must avoid using word choice or word-formation inaccurately. Using a wide range of vocabulary with natural control of lexical features is a must for a band 8 or 9.
Grammatical range and accuracy – As IELTS is an exam to test your English language skills, the writing part examines the text for flexible sentence structures. The use of complex and compound sentences, collocations and error-free grammar will aid you to get the best possible score.

Plan before you write

A practical tip to boost your score in IELTS Writing task 1 is to plan. While you plan what you are going to write, make a checklist of:

The main idea of the diagram and jot down the key features to relate to what you are asked [Task Achievement]. For example, in the following diagram, “British emigration to selected destinations for years 2004 -2007” is highlighted, which is the main idea. The key features are: Owing to British emigration, Australia is the most popular place to move to, the USA has remained between 20-25000 over the given years, In 2005 though the number of emigrates spiked in France it is the least popular to move to the destination.

British emigration to selected destinations for years 2004 -2007” is highlighted

[Summarize the information & make comparisons where relevant]

Project the paragraphing structure [Coherence] to structure your paragraphs accurately. Write the essential part first and progress as you go through the diagram. For example, structure your paragraphs from Australia to France and not vice-versa.

Appropriate vocabulary for repetitive words, Write only words you are confident to correct [Lexical Resourse]. In the task given here, the ratio is either increasing or decreasing. The wide range of vocabulary here could arise, jump to, rise, fluctuate, spiked, high.

Sentence structure formation and avoiding grammatical errors [Grammatical range and accuracy] help to prepare before writing the text. Use of collocations assists in improved writing style.

With this checklist, you can do a risk assessment and avoid errors while proceeding with your solution to IELTS Writing Task 1 of the Academic module.