13 Steps to Write an IELTS Writing Task 2 Band 9 Essay
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Hey! If you’re aiming for an IELTS Writing Task 2 band 9, you’ve landed in the right place! Scoring a band 9 isn’t just about knowing English well but also about understanding what the examiners are looking for and using smart IELTS essay writing techniques.
This blog is here to serve you with many useful tips, sample essays, and everything you need to boost your IELTS writing essay game to the next level. So, let’s get started on this journey to writing high-scoring IELTS writing task 2 band 9 essays together!
What is the IELTS Writing Task 2 About?
In IELTS Writing Task 2, candidates are asked to write an essay of at least 250 words, in 4-5 paragraphs based on the given topic. The task is similar for both Academic and General Training based on the type of questions and the scoring!
Hence, the key to achieving an IELTS Writing Task 2 band 9 is to read more authentic IELTS essay examples and practice the right techniques to impress the examiner with your vocabulary in your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay.
Note: The topics given for General Training will be slightly easier than Academic!
IELTS Writing Task 2 Band Descriptors:
The IELTS Writing band descriptors outline the criteria used by examiners to assess your essay writing performance!
They are divided into 4 main categories:
- Task achievement
- Coherence and cohesion
- Lexical resource
- Grammatical range and accuracy
How Can You Achieve An IELTS Writing Task 2 Band 9?
You should fully address all parts of the task for task achievement, skillfully manage paragraphing for coherence and cohesion, use a wide range of vocabulary for lexical resources and make no (or) very few grammar errors.
The 11 Step-by-Step Guide to Score a Band 9 in IELTS Writing Task 2
Step 1: Understand what you need to do
- Read the task carefully and make sure you get it.
- Figure out what type of essay you have to write, like sharing your opinion, discussing a topic, or suggesting solutions.
- Pay attention to any rules about how many words you can use or specific points you must cover.
Step 2: Make a plan
- Take a few minutes to think of ideas about the topic.
- Make a simple outline with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
- Decide what to write in each part of your essay and organize your thoughts logically.
Step 3: Start with an interesting introduction
- Begin your essay with a sentence that grabs attention.
- Give a bit of background information to help the reader understand.
- Clearly state your main idea or argument.
Step 4: Write clear body paragraphs
- Start each paragraph with a sentence that tells the main point.
- Make sure your essay flows well from one paragraph to the next.
Step 5: Support with Examples
- Support your arguments with relevant examples, data, or personal experiences.
- These examples should be specific and well-chosen to illustrate your points effectively.
Step 6: Use clear language and vocabulary
- Use different words and sentence structures.
- Show you can express ideas accurately and clearly.
- Use words that help connect your ideas, like “however” or “on the other hand.”
Step 7: Conclude well
- Summarize the main points in your essay.
- Repeat your main idea and give it a final thought.
- Leave the reader thinking or asking questions.
Step 8: Check and fix mistakes
- Take time to read through your essay and correct any mistakes in spelling or grammar.
- Make sure your ideas make sense and are connected.
- Improve anything that could be clearer or better.
Step 9: Manage your time
- Use your time wisely for each part of the test.
- Practice writing essays in the time you’re given to get faster.
- Keep track of how long you spend on each task and adjust if needed.
Step 10: Get feedback and keep getting better
- Share your essays with someone who can give you advice.
- Find out what you need to work on and practice those skills.
- Keep writing essays regularly to improve more and feel more confident.
Step 11: Go Through Model Essays Constantly
- Read IELTS band 9 essays to understand what makes them successful.
- Pay attention to the structure, vocabulary, and coherence of these essays.
- Try to incorporate similar techniques into your own writing.
13 Steps to Prepare Yourself to Pen Down an IELTS Writing Task 2 Band 9 Essay
Here, you will find details on everything you need to know to maximize your IELTS Writing Task 2 band score. Read ahead!
1. IELTS Writing Task 2 Tips for a Band 9
Start following these tips for writing task 2 of IELTS now to stand out of the crowd and present a writing task 2 Band 9 essay during your test!
- Use the question to help you organize your answer.
- Check the general topic of the question, usually, a problem, a point of view or a statement with two opposing views.
- Check how many parts there are to the question.
- Make a brief plan. Use the focus points in the question.
- Plan to write about four/five paragraphs.
- Make very brief notes about what you are going to write for each paragraph – one idea for each paragraph is enough.
- Aim to write around 260 words.
- Work out how many lines 250 words are in your handwriting!
- E.g. if you write about ten words per line, then you will need to produce at least 25 lines.
- Spend no more than 5 minutes analyzing the question and planning.
How Can You Structure Your IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay?
Introduction: The introduction should tell the examiner what the rest of the essay is about and also answer the question directly. This tells the examiner that you know what you are doing straight away and helps you write your main body paragraphs.
Supporting Paragraphs: This is where you give the examiner more detail. You do this by stating your main points and supporting them with explanations and relevant examples.
Conclusion: Here you provide a summary of what you have already said in the rest of the body paragraphs.
2. Common IELTS Writing Task 2 Topics
Given below are the most common IELTS essay topics of 2024, Read the list and look at band 9 sample answers related to them as well!
- Health (Sample 1, Sample 2, Sample 3)
- Environment (Sample 1, Sample 2, Sample 3)
- Education (Sample 1, Sample 2, Sample 3, Sample 4, Sample 5)
- International Development (Sample 1, Sample 2, Sample 3)
- Globalisation (Sample 1)
- Public Transport (Sample 1, Sample 2)
- Crime & Punishment (Sample)
- Youth Crime (Sample 1, Sample 2)
- Technology (Sample 1)
- Traditional Culture (Sample 1, Sample 2, Sample 3, Sample 4, Sample 5)
- Travel & Tourism (Sample 1, Sample 2, Sample 3)
- Society (Sample 1, Sample 2, Sample 3, Sample 4)
3. Analyze the Essay Questions and Understand the IELTS Writing Rubric
As said before the IELTS Writing rubric evaluates 4 different aspects of your responses: Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Task Achievement.
So, now let us look at a few points on how to properly analyze the given question to produce an IELTS writing task 2 band 9 essay!
- Familiarize yourself with the basic structure of the essay question and the IELTS writing rubric.
- The essay contains a statement that describes a general situation followed by specific points to write about.
- The general statement can present a problem, e.g. Stress in modern life is increasing.
- This may then be followed by questions like What do you think are the main causes of this? What possible solutions can you suggest?
- Your answer should then be organized around the main causes and then the suggested solutions with examples.
- Try to analyze questions by concentrating first on the organizing or words [causes, effects, solutions, etc] that are contained in the question.
- If you are asked to give your opinion, the common instructions used are: To what extent do you agree [or disagree]? How far do you agree [or disagree]? What is your opinion?
- Note that when you are asked just “To what extent do you agree?” It means that you can disagree!
4. How to Write the Introduction
The introduction is where you can catch the attention of the reader in the first go!
- Keep the introduction crisp and short.
- Write no more than two or three sentences – about 30 words.
- Connect your introduction and title. Write a general statement relating to the topic.
- Then write a sentence which contains the parts of the questions you are asked about: … factors contributing to… etc.
- Where you can, use synonyms to rephrase the question.
- Cross out any notes in the plan you made.
- Remember that quality is better than quantity.
- Do not panic if other people are writing more than you.
Also check:
- Tips to write introduction in IELTS Writing Task 2
- Tips to write great writing essay
- Tips to Improve IELTS Writing Skills
5. How to Write a Supporting Paragraph
Write in stages to connect the paragraph to the introduction, write a statement with a focus word is the key!
E.g. The main cause/factor is … Alternatively, you can just state the cause or begin to explain the situation.
- As a rough guide, write about 75/80 words for each paragraph – about 7/8 lines if you write 10 words per line.
- Mark this on the answer sheet and write towards this mark.
- Repeat this for the subsequent paragraphs.
- As you write, use a pencil, but try not to rub out corrections or changes, as this wastes a lot of time.
- You also stop the thread of your writing.
- Cross out any changes with one line. Write above if you have space.
- Only rub out the text you want to change if you don’t have space to write above.
6. How to Organize a Supporting Paragraph
Improve your idea-organization and you will make fewer mistakes! You will then have more time to concentrate on grammar, vocabulary, and spelling.
- Have an aim of how much you want to write for each paragraph.
- For 75/80 words, aim to write about four to seven sentences of varying length.
- Make sure each paragraph is connected with the previous one, as you are marked according to how you organize each paragraph.
- You only need to use a limited range of sentence/clause types to write effectively.
Here is a list of the most common types of sentences and clauses you can use to guide you as you write your IELTS essay:
- These types of sentences/clauses fit together in common combinations.
- For example, what would you write after a measure sentence? You could write a result or a reasonable sentence.
- Think about how you can combine two or more within sentences and as separate sentences.
- Don’t think about grammar or vocabulary.
- Think about an idea and then the functions you would need to explain and support it.
- As you write a paragraph, it will tend to move from general to specific.
7. How to Make Your Writing More Flexible
- Start your paragraph with a general statement and then support and explain it.
- Make sure that you do not write a series of general statements.
- When you start to write, develop your main idea by asking yourself questions to guide you. Use the list of functions above.
For example:
– What is my focus statement?
The main measure is…
– What do I mean by this?
By this I mean…
– What is the result of this?
This will…
– Can I give a specific result?
First of all, it will…
– Can I give a general example?
For example at the moment, …
– Can I give a specific example?
However, could…
8. Using Proper Sentence Structures for Your IELTS Essay
Practice combining the functions in different ways. Widen the range of sentence types that you use. For example, think of sentences in pairs. Then think what would come after the second function in the pair and so on.
- Practice this until it becomes a fluid and automatic technique.
- The more organized you are in your writing, the more fluent and flexible you will be.
- So make sure you know and can use a wide range of connections and functions.
- The more organized you are, the fewer mistakes you will make.
- If you do not have to think about the organization of a question in the exam, you will be able to concentrate on avoiding repetition and expressing your ideas.
- Mark out the end of each paragraph before you write an essay and aim for that point. It helps you to focus your ideas and stops you from rambling.
- Take a blank sheet and then write down everything you know about a specific aspect of Writing Task 2: what you know about introductions; what common sentence functions you use; what common connecting words and phrases you know – for, but, and, so, etc.
- This will show you what you know and what you don’t know. It will help you organize your thoughts and increase your confidence and hence your speed.
- Above all know yourself, your strengths, your limitations and your common mistakes. Then push your limitations and correct your mistakes.
Register yourself in our IELTS online classes for more such tips and tricks important for your IELTS preparation.
9. Common Mini Sequences of Functions In IELTS Writing Task 2
As you become more confident you can build these sequences and as you write and learn to combine them in whatever way suits you.
- measure/result/reason; general example; specific example
- condition (if/unless); result; real example
- problem; cause; solution; reason; general and specific example
- opinion; explanation; reason; general example; specific example; my opinion
- Try and think about these sequences without writing them down. Try to combine and recombine.
- Developing your flexibility helps develop fluency in connecting text and prevents over-generalizing.
The following checklists are only guidelines and can be adapted in many different ways. You can combine the information in endless different ways. You can take parts from one checklist and add them to another.
10. How to Express Your Opinion
There are many ways to express your opinion. If you find it difficult, use the frame below to check and guide.
- Practice writing your own statements of opinion. Then practice supporting them. Use reasons, results, explanation, contrast, effect, condition, etc.
- Each time you write a sentence, qualify what you have said.
11. How to Link Your Sentences
Below are common words and phrases you know, but which you often forget to use when linking your writing. Check how they are used.
- Match the expressions below with the function checklist.
- While practising for the exam, try to use these expressions.
- Before you write and before the exam read through the expressions again.
- Avoid overusing connecting words, especially too many additional words.
- Revision tip: On a blank sheet of paper, write addition, comparison, etc. at the top of the page and then list the words you remember. Check against the list on page 39.
a. Addition
- Adverbs: moreover, what is more, furthermore, further, in addition. (to that), additionally, likewise, similarly, besides, equally, as well as, also, on top of that
- Conjunctions: and, which/that/whose, etc. for explanation/adding additional information
b. Comparison
-
- Use conjunctions, like while/whilst/whereas/but
- Use linkers: however/in contrast/ by comparison/ meanwhile/, on the other hand,
- Focus on one thing:
- As regards/with regard to/regarding/in the case of/as for (Noun), Subject + Verb…
- When it comes to……., it/they…….
c. Condition
Conjunctions: if, unless, whether, on condition that, provided that supposing, as/so, as long as, otherwise
d. Examples
Adverbs: for example, for instance, such as, as, like
Expressions: take … for example, a (very) good example/the best example, in many countries/every year/now/in the past, etc.
e. Reason/Cause
- Conjunctions: because, as, since, for
- -ing (present)… knowing I’d be late,…
- -ed (past)… warned about the problem …
f. Concession and Contrast
Adverbs: however, nevertheless, though, even so, but, (and) yet
Conjunctions: although, even though, though, while
Prepositions: despite/in spite of (the fact that)
g. Result
Adverbs: as a result, as a consequence, consequently, accordingly, therefore, so, on that account, for that reason
Conjunctions: and, so, so that, so + adjective that
Other forms: -ing, which … this will…
h. Manner
Conjunctions: as, as if
i. Time
Conjunctions: as, as soon as, after, before, since, until when, whenever
j. Purpose
Adverbs: so
Conjunctions: so, so that, too, in order (not) to, in order that, so as (not) to
k. Making Generalizations
Adverbs: Generally speaking, overall, on the whole, in general, by and large
l. Conclusion
Adverbs: hence, thus, therefore, consequently
Explanation: by this I mean, which, this
12. How to Check your Writing Task 2 Essays Efficiently
Read this section before and after you write an IELTS writing task 2 and always keep it in mind.
- Leave yourself 3-5 minutes to check your writing.
- Be aware of the mistakes you usually make and look out for these. It can make a difference between a score band!
- As it is difficult to check for all mistakes at one time, check for one type of mistake at a time.
- Check your spelling first. Scan the text backwards rather than forwards.
- Scan quickly the beginning of each sentence and the beginning of each paragraph. Check if the linking words, the reference words or the synonyms you use are correct.
- Check the verbs – tense? singular/plural agreement? the correct form of the verb?
- Check that your connecting linking words are correct and that you have not repeated any of them.
- If you tend to make other mistakes, like misusing the articles, study them and look for them in particular.
- Practice! so that you can do these all at the same time while going through the text from the beginning.
13. How to write an IELTS Writing Task 2 band 9 essay?
Question:
Some people believe that the government should take care of old people and provide financial support after they retire. Others say individuals should save during their working years to fund their retirement.
What is your opinion? Write at least 250 words.
A breakdown of the given IELTS writing task 2 band 9 essay
Step 1: You are given an opinion essay which means you have to state your point of view regarding the question.
Step 2: Once you understand the question and decide your opinion, you can start planning your essay and then writing it. Don’t forget to state your opinion on it.
Step 3: Introduction
State your opinion clearly. Explain in brief what you are going to write in the body paragraphs.
Many argue that the government should look after elderly people and provide them with pensions after they are 60 years old. However, others say that people themselves should save money for later use. I agree with the former viewpoint because savings would not be enough to support people, and residents pay taxes to the government all their life.
Step 4: Body Paragraph 1
The main reason why the government must take care of old people is that their savings would not be able to support their medical bills, house rent, and monthly groceries. This is because the inflation rate has been quite high in the last few decades and there are no signs that the inflation rate will go down in the coming years.
Step 5: Body Paragraph 2
Another reason behind this is that people pay taxes to the government authorities while they are working. The government collects taxes from residents as an income tax, service tax, and property tax. Therefore, people already have paid enough to the state that they can pay monthly pensions to all elderly people.
Step 6: Conclusion
Restate your opinion in clear and direct sentences.
To read more IELTS Band 8 Essay samples, you can check out the post: 30 IELTS Writing Recent Actual Tests in 2016 & Model Essays
IELTS Band 9 Writing Task 2 Sample Answer
Many argue that the government should look after elderly people and provide pensions after they are 60 years old. However, others say that people themselves should save money for later use. I agree with the former viewpoint because savings would not be enough to support people, and residents pay taxes to the government all their lives.
The main reason why the government must take care of old people is that their savings would not be able to support their medical bills, house rent, and monthly groceries. This is because the inflation rate has been quite high in the last few decades and there are no signs that the inflation rate will go down in the coming years. This will lead to people who have a small amount of money to pay their bills. For example, a recent study in the US found that in the coming years, the prices of housing, medical, and other necessary items will go so high that it would be very difficult for people to buy certain items. Therefore, the authorities must look after elderly people.
Another reason behind this is that people pay taxes to the government authorities while they are working. The government collects taxes from residents as an income tax, service tax, and property tax. Therefore, people already have paid enough to the state that they can pay for monthly pensions to all elderly people. To illustrate, the UK government imposes a 30% tax on income, and the government earns millions of pounds. A small portion of this income should be distributed to people in the form of pensions to older people.
In conclusion, the government should take responsibility for their citizens for their health and financial assistance because monthly savings will not be able to cover their monthly bills, and taxes are paid to the taxation authorities by people all their lives.
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2 Comments
Online IELTS School
Posted on May 24, 2021
Thank you for sharing such useful information about coherence and cohesion. These are very important to avoid grammatical mistakes.
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Harika
Posted on May 1, 2019
Hi please provide IELTS general writing book
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