Want to score Band 7 in IELTS Writing Task 1? It's not just about describing datait's about doing it strategically, accurately, and with variety. This comprehensive guide will show you exactly how to structure your response and what examiners are looking for.
What This Guide Covers:
- • The 4-part structure for Band 7+ responses
- • Common mistakes that keep you at Band 6
- • Band 7 sentence examples you can adapt
- • Essential grammar and vocabulary tips
- • Final checklist before submission
The 4-Part Structure for Band 7 Success
1️ Introduction: Paraphrase the Question
Paraphrase the question properly by using synonyms and different sentence structures. Never copy the question word-for-word!
Original Question:
"The chart shows the percentage of students who studied six different subjects in a UK university in 2020."
Paraphrased Introduction:
"The bar chart illustrates the proportion of students enrolled in six academic disciplines at a UK university in 2020."
Key Paraphrasing Tips:
- • "shows" illustrates, depicts, presents, compares
- • "percentage" proportion, share, rate
- • "studied" enrolled in, pursued, majored in
- • "subjects" disciplines, fields, courses
2️ Overview: Summarize Main Trends
Summarize the main trends or differences without specific data. This is the most important paragraph!
Good Overview Example:
"Overall, Science and Engineering had the highest number of students, while Arts subjects attracted significantly fewer enrolments."
️ Important Rules for Overview:
- • Avoid detailed numbers save them for body paragraphs
- • Focus on general trends and main features
- • Use words like: overall, in general, it is clear that
- • Identify the highest, lowest, or most significant features
3️ Body Paragraph 1: Significant Features
Describe significant features and compare related data. Be selectiveyou don't need to describe everything!
Example:
"Engineering accounted for 35% of student enrolments, making it the most popular discipline. In contrast, only 5% of students chose History."
What to Include:
- • Extremes: highest, lowest, most, least
- • Comparisons: in contrast, compared to, while
- • Specific data: percentages, numbers, figures
- • Grouping: combine similar data points
4️ Body Paragraph 2: Remaining Patterns
Continue with remaining comparisons or notable patterns. Make sure you're not repeating information from Body Paragraph 1.
Example:
"Mathematics and Computer Science showed similar figures, at around 18% each, while Languages had a slightly lower percentage of 12%."
Smart Data Selection:
- • Group items with similar values
- • Highlight notable differences
- • Use approximations: around, approximately, roughly
- • Compare trends over time (if applicable)
️ Common Mistakes That Keep You at Band 6
Content & Structure Errors:
- • Lack of clarification in overview
- • Copying the question instead of paraphrasing
- • Listing data without comparison
- • Writing too few words (under 150 = penalty)
Language Errors:
- • Repeating vocabulary (e.g., using "increase" 10 times)
- • Poor grammar or lack of sentence variety
- • Informal language or casual tone
- • Spelling and punctuation errors
Example Band 7 Sentences
Study these sentences and adapt them for your own Task 1 responses:
Describing Change:
"Between 2000 and 2010, the number of visitors to the museum doubled, rising from 500,000 to over a million."
Making Contrasts:
"In contrast to the sharp decline in sales in 2008, figures remained stable in the following year."
️ Describing Processes:
"The process begins with the collection of raw materials and ends with the packaging of the finished product."
Using Relative Clauses:
"Country A, whose population remained stable, experienced a sharp increase in GDP between 2000 and 2020."
️ Complex Comparisons:
"While the number of cars in London doubled, the figure for Paris, which had initially been higher, remained relatively unchanged."
Improving GRA (Grammatical Range and Accuracy)
To improve GRA, the use of complex sentences is a must!
Mix Sentence Types:
Simple:
"Sales rose in 2015."
Complex:
"While sales of smartphones increased, tablet sales declined steadily."
Passive (especially for processes/maps):
"The materials are transported to the factory."
️ Avoid Frequent Grammar Mistakes:
- • Subject-verb agreement errors
- • Incorrect tense usage (especially past vs. present)
- • Missing articles (a, an, the)
- • Incorrect prepositions
- • Run-on sentences without proper punctuation
Use Variety of Vocabulary & Complex Sentences
Vocabulary Tips:
- • Use synonyms to avoid repetition
- • Learn collocations (e.g., "sharp increase," "steady decline")
- • Maintain an academic, formal tone
- • Use precise descriptive words
Grammar Tips:
- • Mix simple and complex sentence structures
- • Use linking words effectively
- • Include relative clauses
- • Use passive voice for processes
Be Selective with Data:
You don't need to describe everything. Focus on:
- • Key trends (overall patterns)
- • Extremes (highest/lowest values)
- • Notable comparisons (significant differences or similarities)
Final Checklist Before You Submit
Key Takeaways
- • Follow the 4-part structure: Introduction, Overview, Body 1, Body 2
- • Paraphrase the questionnever copy it
- • Write a clear overview without specific data
- • Compare and group data instead of listing everything
- • Use complex sentences and varied vocabulary
- • Be selectivefocus on key trends and extremes
- • Check for grammar and spelling errors before submitting
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