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By Kurz Band
Steps to Band 9 of IELTS Essay Writing
1. Overview
IELTS Writing Task 2 requires a test taker to write 250 words academic essay on a given topic in 40 minutes. To get a top score essay, like band 9 or band 8, you should finish the job perfectly with five steps.
Step 1: Analysis of the given question It would help if you understood the subject without any doubt and what the examiners are expecting. If your answer leaves the issue a little, you miss the chance to get top scores. So you need to identify the question type, keywords, and instructions to ensure that your understanding matches the essay's topic and requirement.
Step 2. Planning Band 9 essay must have a perfect structure. Test takers usually plan for up to 10 minutes to organize ideas and structure before writing to make a great essay.
Step 3. Introduction An introduction is a start to impress examiners to shoot band 9. Answer the question directly and tell the examiners your view or argument.
Step 4. Main Body Paragraphs Demonstrate your detail and logic, state your main points, and support explanations and relevant examples to build the top band essay's body.
Step 5. Conclusion Do you succeed in a band 9 essay? Provide an excellent summary of what you have already said is the last nail of your masterpiece. Never ignore it.
2. Band 9 Essay Criteria
In general, examiners check essays from 4 factors:
Task Response
Coherence and cohesion
Lexical Resource
Grammatical range and accuracy
Band 9 is the highest score of IELTS writing. It means test takers should avoid any tiny mistakes in any aspect. The key points are as below:
Fully addresses the task
Presents a fully developed position to the question with fully extended and supported ideas
Uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention
Skilfully manages to paragraph
Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural control of lexical features
Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy
Actually, band 9 essays, of either academic or general tests, aren't impeccable. If you study them, you may see room to refine them. In other words, even if your essay has a few tiny defects, you still have a chance to get the top band. However, Rome wasn't built in a day; how do we achieve a band 9 essay step by step?
3. The Way to Get Band 9
For many IELTS test-takers, band 9 isn't a realistic goal. As a matter of fact, band 8, band 7, and even band 6 are also good scores and are acceptable in most cases. Compared with band 9 essays, their criteria are relatively broader and are easier to meet. Here we introduce respectively how to score them in brief and offer samples.
Starting from Band 6, you will see criteria for each level and sample essays selected accordingly. Studying them is a shortcut to sharpen your IELTS essay skill and get the top score step by step.
3.1 Band 6 Essay
Assessment criteria for Band 6 essay
Addresses all parts of the task, maybe unbalanced
Presents a relevant position, possibly unclear or repetitive
Arranges information and ideas coherently
Uses cohesive devices effectively
Uses paragraphing, but not always logically
Uses an adequate range of vocabulary
Attempts to use the less common vocabulary
Makes some errors in spelling and grammar, but do not impede communication
Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms
Band 6 Essay Sample
Sample 1
Question: Decisions can be made quickly, or they can be made after careful thought. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The decisions that people make quickly are always wrong. Use reasons and specific examples to support your opinion.
To assert that decisions made quickly are always wrong oversimplifies the complexities of human judgment. While rapid choices can sometimes lead to errors due to impulsivity or lack of thorough consideration, they are not always bad. The accuracy of a decision depends on various factors, including the individual's ...
Question: Many people still believe that riding a bicycle is the best way to get to places. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a bicycle these days?
Bicycles have become increasingly popular as a mode of transportation in recent years. They offer numerous advantages as well as some drawbacks, and their advantages and disadvantages are becoming a hot topic in public policy. At first, the supporters think it is environmentally friendly. Bicycles produce zero ...
Question: Some people say traveling abroad is necessary to learn about other countries. In contrast, others suggest that TV and the internet can also help people know about foreign countries. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
There is a common belief that if people want to expand their knowledge of other countries, it is vital to visit them. This opinion might be relevant for affluent societies. However, for learning about diverse cultures and traditions, access to an Internet connection and TV is enough. Without a shadow of a doubt, I ...
Question: Many young people do not know how to manage their money when graduating high school. What do you think are the reasons? What can be done to teach them this important skill?
Money is an essential matter for everybody to use during his daily adventures. Nowadays, students who start earning cash dismiss it frivolously. This essay will discuss the causes of this behavior during their adolescence and guide them to spend money in an accurate process in their schools. During high school, ...
Question: Some people think buying local products is always an advantage. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Modern world economics is a highly complex structure. Many different aspects can have negative or positive impacts. However, some people believe that goods made in the local area give only advantages to domestic economics. I completely agree with that point of view and always try to purchase local products. The main ...
Presents a precise position throughout the response
Supports main ideas, logically organizes information and ideas
Uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately
Presents an exact central topic within each paragraph
Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary
uses less common lexical items
May produce occasional errors in word choice and spelling
Uses a variety of complex structures
Has good control of grammar
Sample 1
Question: Some people think most crimes are the result of circumstances like poverty and other social problems. Others believe that they are caused by people who are bad in nature. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
The debate over the root causes of crime revolves around contrasting perspectives regarding the influence of individual character versus external circumstances. While some attribute crime primarily to environmental factors such as poverty, inequality, and social disadvantage, others emphasize personal responsibility ...
Question: Some people believe that managers should make all the company decisions; others think it is better to include employees while making decisions. Discuss both the points and give your opinion.
The debate over whether managers should make all company decisions or involve employees in the decision-making process reflects differing perspectives on leadership, organizational culture, and effective management practices. I think managers should play a key role in decision-making, but they should also listen to ...
Question: Some people say that computers have made life easier and more convenient. Other people say that computers have made life more complex and stressful. What is your opinion?
The advent of computers has undoubtedly revolutionized modern life, impacting various aspects of work, communication, education, and entertainment. However, the perception of whether computers have made life easier or more stressful varies significantly among individuals, shaped by factors such as technological ...
Question: Some people prefer to work for themselves or own a business. Others prefer to work for an employer. Would you rather be self-employed, work for someone else, or own a business?
Many factors influence the decision to own a business or work for an employer. While some individuals are drawn to the autonomy and potential rewards of entrepreneurship, others prioritize the stability, security, and work-life balance offered by traditional employment. Between them, owning a business is my ideal ...
Question: Co-workers are the people who work with us together. In your opinion, what are the qualities of a good co-worker? Use specific details and examples in your answer.
Coworkers are the people who work with us. In my opinion, good coworkers possess a range of qualities that contribute to a positive and productive work environment, fostering collaboration, communication, and mutual support among team members. First and foremost, good coworkers exhibit strong interpersonal skills, ...
Presents a well-developed response to the question
Sequences information and ideas logically
Manages all aspects of cohesion well
Uses paragraphing appropriately
Uses a wide range of vocabulary fluently and flexibly
Skilfully uses uncommon lexical items
Rare errors in spelling
The majority of sentences are error-free
4. Last Step to Band 9
Just studying others' essays isn't enough to touch Band 9 or any high scores. The practice is as same as important. We collect recent years' IELTS essay questions here. Hopefully, they can help you.