IELTS Writing
Academic and General Training Task 1, Task 2 essay types, and the four criteria examiners use to mark you.
IntermediateBand 5–89 lessons about 3 h
Works best after English Foundation, but you can start here if your grammar is already solid.
Module 1
Task 1
Academic reports and General Training letters.
- Writing Task 1: the overview that lifts your bandWhy the overview matters most in Academic Task 1, and a reliable four-paragraph structure.Intermediate 20 min
- General Training Task 1: lettersFormal, semi-formal or informal: choose the right tone, cover all three bullet points and open and close correctly.Intermediate 20 min
Module 2
Task 2
Essay types, planning and structure.
- Task 2 essay types and structureOpinion, discussion, problem–solution, advantages–disadvantages and two-part questions: recognise each and use a clear four-paragraph plan.Intermediate 25 min
- Writing Task 2: planning an opinion essayAnswer the exact question, take a clear position and develop each idea with explanation and example.Intermediate 25 min
Module 3
The four criteria
What each criterion rewards, and the common mistakes.
- Task Response: answering the whole questionThe first Writing criterion. Address every part, keep a clear position, and develop ideas with explanation and examples.Intermediate 20 min
- Coherence and cohesionMake your writing easy to follow: one idea per paragraph, logical order, and linking words used accurately rather than mechanically.Intermediate 20 min
- Lexical Resource: vocabulary that scoresPrecise, natural words beat rare ones. Learn how collocations, topic vocabulary and accurate word forms raise your band.Intermediate 20 min
- Grammatical range and accuracyMix simple and complex structures, and keep errors rare. How to show range without losing control.Intermediate 20 min
- Common Writing mistakesUnder-length answers, memorised templates, no overview in Task 1, and copying the question: the habits that hold bands down.Intermediate 15 min