IELTS & CELPIP Study Guide
Sourced directly from official IELTS.org Writing Band Descriptors, sample task booklets, and the CELPIP Guidebook for Test Takers — not approximated.
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IELTS Writing
Task 1: describe visual information in 150+ words, ~20 minutes. Task 2: respond to a point of view or argument in 250+ words, ~40 minutes. Task 2 carries more weight in the overall Writing score.
Task 1 — Official Band Descriptors
Task Achievement
Band 9All requirements fully and appropriately satisfied. Extremely rare lapses in content.
Band 8Key features skilfully selected, clearly presented, highlighted and illustrated or extended. Only occasional omissions or lapses.
Band 7Key features covered and clearly highlighted but could be more fully or appropriately illustrated. Clear overview with appropriately categorised data.
Band 6Key features covered and adequately highlighted; a relevant overview is attempted. Some irrelevant or inaccurate detail may occur.
Band 5Key features not adequately covered; recounting of detail is mainly mechanical; limited detail extending main points.
Band 4Few key features selected; format may be inappropriate; content may be irrelevant, repetitive or inaccurate.
Coherence & Cohesion
Band 9The message can be followed effortlessly. Any lapses in coherence or cohesion are minimal. Paragraphing is skilfully managed.
Band 8The message can be followed with ease. Information and ideas are logically sequenced and cohesion is well managed.
Band 7Information and ideas are logically organised with a clear progression. A range of cohesive devices is used flexibly but with some inaccuracies.
Band 6Information is generally arranged coherently with a clear overall progression. Cohesive devices used to good effect but may be faulty or mechanical.
Band 5Organisation is evident but not wholly logical; there may be a lack of overall progression. Limited or inaccurate use of cohesive devices.
Band 4Information and ideas are evident but not arranged coherently, with no clear progression. Basic cohesive devices may be inaccurate or repetitive.
Lexical Resource
Band 9Full flexibility and precise use are evident. A wide range used accurately with very natural and sophisticated control.
Band 8A wide resource is fluently and flexibly used to convey precise meanings. Skilful use of uncommon and/or idiomatic items.
Band 7The resource is sufficient to allow some flexibility and precision. Some ability to use less common and/or idiomatic items.
Band 6The resource is generally adequate and appropriate for the task. Meaning is generally clear despite a rather restricted range.
Band 5The resource is limited but minimally adequate. Simple vocabulary may be used accurately but range does not permit much variation.
Band 4The resource is limited and inadequate for or unrelated to the task. Vocabulary is basic and may be used repetitively.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
Band 9A wide range of structures used with full flexibility and control. Punctuation and grammar used appropriately throughout.
Band 8A wide range of structures flexibly and accurately used. The majority of sentences are error-free.
Band 7A variety of complex structures used with some flexibility and accuracy. Error-free sentences are frequent.
Band 6A mix of simple and complex sentence forms but flexibility is limited. Errors occur but rarely impede communication.
Band 5The range of structures is limited and rather repetitive. Grammatical errors may be frequent and cause some difficulty for the reader.
Band 4A very limited range of structures is used. Some structures produced accurately but errors are frequent and may impede meaning.
Task 2 — Official Band Descriptors
Task Response
Band 9The prompt is addressed and explored in depth. A clear, fully developed position directly answers the question(s). Ideas relevant, fully extended and well supported.
Band 8The prompt is appropriately and sufficiently addressed. A clear, well-developed position responds to the question(s). Ideas relevant, well extended and supported.
Band 7Main parts of the prompt are appropriately addressed with a clear, developed position. Ideas extended and supported, though may over-generalise or lack precision.
Band 6Main parts of the prompt addressed (some more fully than others). A position directly relevant to the prompt is presented, though conclusions may be unclear or repetitive.
Band 5Main parts of the prompt incompletely addressed. A position is expressed but development is not always clear. Ideas limited and insufficiently developed.
Band 4Prompt tackled minimally or tangentially. Position barely discernible. Main ideas difficult to identify, lack relevance or support.
Coherence & Cohesion
Band 9The message can be followed effortlessly. Any lapses in coherence or cohesion are minimal. Paragraphing is skilfully managed.
Band 8The message can be followed with ease. Information and ideas are logically sequenced and cohesion is well managed.
Band 7Information and ideas are logically organised with a clear progression throughout. Paragraphing generally used effectively.
Band 6Information generally arranged coherently with a clear overall progression. Cohesive devices used to good effect but may be faulty or mechanical.
Band 5Organisation is evident but not wholly logical; there may be a lack of overall progression. Paragraphing may be inadequate or missing.
Band 4Information and ideas evident but not arranged coherently, with no clear progression. May have no paragraphing and/or no clear main topic within paragraphs.
Lexical Resource
Band 9Full flexibility and precise use widely evident. A wide range used accurately and appropriately with sophisticated control.
Band 8A wide resource is fluently and flexibly used to convey precise meanings. Skilful use of uncommon and/or idiomatic items.
Band 7The resource is sufficient to allow some flexibility and precision. Awareness of style and collocation evident, though inappropriacies occur.
Band 6The resource is generally adequate and appropriate for the task. Meaning is generally clear despite a rather restricted range.
Band 5The resource is limited but minimally adequate. Frequent lapses in appropriacy of word choice; lack of flexibility apparent.
Band 4The resource is limited and inadequate for or unrelated to the task. Vocabulary is basic and may be used repetitively.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
Band 9A wide range of structures used with full flexibility and control. Minor errors are extremely rare.
Band 8A wide range of structures flexibly and accurately used. The majority of sentences are error-free.
Band 7A variety of complex structures used with some flexibility and accuracy. A few errors may persist but do not impede communication.
Band 6A mix of simple and complex sentence forms but flexibility is limited. Errors occur but rarely impede communication.
Band 5The range of structures is limited and rather repetitive. Grammatical errors may be frequent and cause some difficulty for the reader.
Band 4A very limited range of structures is used. Grammatical errors are frequent and may impede meaning.
🔒 Unlock the full guide
Task 2 band descriptors, real examiner comments, IELTS Reading & Listening task-type strategies, and the full official CELPIP format, component breakdown, and CLB/CEFR level chart.
✦ Upgrade to ProSourced from official IELTS.org Writing Band Descriptors (updated May 2023), IELTS Academic/General Training sample task booklets, and the CELPIP Guidebook for Test Takers and CELPIP one-pager (CELPIP.ca). Used here for study purposes only.