ielts essay 8 5

IELTS Writing Samples Band 8.5

School teachers are more responsible for social and intellectual development of student than parents. to what extent do you agree or disagree, in their advertising, businesses nowadays usually emphasise that their products are new in some way. why is this do you think it is a positive or negative development, do you agree or disagree with the following statement the best way to truly relax and reduce stress is to spend time alone. use specific reasons and examples to support your answer., as part of a student social survey project, you are organizing a group to visit a historical exhibition in a small town, write a letter asking for information regarding such things as the content of the exhibition and the dates of its opening and closing, and if there are any discount available., in the future, nobody will buy newspapers or books because they will be able to read everything they want online paying. to what extand do you agree or disgree with this statement, levels of depression and antisocial behavior in children have increased dramatically in modern societies. this situation has led many people to believe that childhood itself is in crisis. to what extent do you agree or disagree with this view, a museum near your home is looking for people to do part-time voluntary / unpaid work. you would like to do some voluntary / unpaid work at the museum. write a letter to the museum director to apply for the voluntary / unpaid work. in your letter •explain why you want to do voluntary / unpaid work at the museum •describe some skills and qualities you have that would be useful •give details of when you would be available for work, lifestyles and culture around the world are becoming more and more similar why do you think this is happening it's this a positive or a negative development, you wish to study at a foreign university. write a letter to the university. in your letter you should ask about: the accommodation and fees possible scholarships and the qualifications required for acceptance., more and more people are expected to be living in the urban centres in the future. what problems can be caused should government encourage people to settle outside the city, it is important for people to take risks, both in their professional lives and their personal lives. do you think the advantages of taking risks outweigh the disadvantages give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience., the diagrams below show a structure that is used to generate electricity from wave power. summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant..

ielts essay 8 5

More people say that devoting one’s time to family activities is more important than spending time working. Others believe that dedicating one’s time to work is more important. Discuss both views and give your opinion

Some countries have an ever-increasing proportion of population who are aged 15 and younger. what is your opinion of the current and future effects it may have in those countries , financial education should be a mandatory component of the school program. to what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement , the pie charts provide information about percentage of purchase in british schools in 1981 , 1991 and 2001..

The pie charts provide information about percentage of purchase in British schools in 1981 , 1991 and 2001.

The bar chart above shows the top ten countries for the production and consumption of electricity in 2014. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The bar chart above shows the top ten countries for the production and consumption of electricity in 2014. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Some people think that a sense of competition in children should be encouraged. Others believe that children who are taugh to co-operate rather than compete become more useful adults. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

You travelled by a long distance bus recently and your suitcase was damaged. write a letter to the bus company. in your letter •inform the bus company of when and to where you travelled •describe your suitcase and what happened to it • explain why the company should pay for a new suitcase, in their advertising businesses nowadays usually emphasizes that their products are new in some way. why is this do you think it is a positive or negative development.

IELTS Essay Samples of Band 8

IELTS Model Essay Samples Band 8, 2023

Here you can find IELTS Essay samples of Band 8 on many topics, written by students and graded by an IELTS teacher. Click on one of the topics below to jump to essays on that topic.

ielts essay 8 5

Celebrities Crime and Punishment Culture Education Environment Family and Children Food and Diet Global Issues Government and Laws Health Housing and Town Planning Media and Advertising Money Reading Society and Social Matters Sport and Exercise Technology Tourism Work Young People

Note: the task prompt of each essay appears when you hold the mouse over the link. Every essay is checked, marked, has comments and suggestions. Hold the mouse over to see suggested corrections. The teacher’s summary is at the bottom of each essay.

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Celebrities

Sample essay ‘Celebrities earn more money than politicians’ Sample essay ‘Celebrities can be poor role models for teenagers’

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Crime and Punishment

Sample essay ‘Why criminals commit another offence after punishment’ Sample essay ‘Crime rates are likely to decline due to the advancements in technology’

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Culture

Sample essay ‘In the past people wore their traditional clothes’ Sample essay ‘Museums and art galleries should present only the national art’ Sample essay ‘People should follow the customs of their new country’

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Education

Sample essay ‘Computers instead of teachers’ Sample essay ‘Will computers replace teachers?’ Sample essay ‘Financial education at school’ Sample essay ‘Schools should select students by their academic abilities’ Sample essay ‘Unpaid community work should be mandatory in high school’ Sample essay ‘Teachers are more responsible for the development of students than parents’ Sample essay ‘Financial education should be mandatory at school’ Sample essay ‘Difficulties of learning a foreign language’

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Environment

Sample essay ‘Some people believe that preserving natural environment is crucial’ Sample essay ‘Who should be responsible for protecting the environment?’ Sample essay ‘The best way to solve environmental problems is to increase the price of fuel’

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Family and Children

Sample essay ‘Children and rules’ Sample essay ‘Children should be engaged in paid work’ Sample essay ‘Children these days are suffering from obesity’ Sample essay ‘Should children grow up in the city or countryside?’ Sample essay ‘Nowadays families move to different countries for work’ Sample essay ‘Childcare training courses should be mandatory for all parents’ Sample essay ‘Some think that children should leave their family home early’ Sample essay ‘Children today are spending more time watching TV’ Sample essay ‘Modern technologies are negatively affecting children’s reading and writing skills’ Sample essay ‘Who should discipline the children, parents or the government?’

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Food and Diet

Sample essay ‘Dieting can change a person’s life for better or worse’ Sample essay ‘Nowadays people waste a lot of food’ Sample essay ‘Many people choose ready made food instead of cooking’ Sample essay ‘In many countries a lot of food is wasted’ Sample essay ‘Many people today are drinking sugar-based drinks’

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Global Issues

Sample essay ‘The good and bad of Globalization’ Sample essay ‘Rich countries should help the poor’ Sample essay ‘Positive and Negative sides of Globalization’

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Government and Laws

Sample essay ‘Reducing speed limits is the best option for road safety’ Sample essay ‘Changing drivers age limits is the best way to reduce traffic accidents’ Sample essay ‘The education system is the only critical factor in the development of a country’ Sample essay ‘Some people say that arts subjects are as essential as academic subjects’ Sample essay ‘Some believe the government should take care of retirees’ Sample essay ‘Public health in a country can be improved by making laws regarding nutritious food’

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Health

Sample essay ‘Obesity is becoming common among children’ Sample essay ‘Some people use the Internet to search for solutions to their medical problems’

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Housing and Town Planning

Sample essay ‘Is it more important to build public parks and sports facilities than shopping centers/’ Sample essay ‘High-rise vs. low-rise buildings, which solution is better?’ Sample essay ‘Some say that new homes should be constructed in existing cities’

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Media and Advertising

Sample essay ‘Advertising affects what people think is important’ Sample essay ‘All popular TV entertainment programmes should aim to educate viewers’ Sample essay ‘Newspapers have a significant influence on people’s ideas’

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Money

Sample essay ‘Some people spend a lot on weddings and birthday parties’

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Reading

Sample essay ‘People who read for pleasure develop their imagination more’ Sample essay ‘Public libraries should only provide books’

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Society and Social Matters

Sample essay ‘Events bringing people together’ Sample essay ‘Some people claim that it is acceptable to use animals in medical research’ Sample essay ‘Many museums charge for admission while others are free’ Sample essay ‘The proportion of older people is increasing’ Sample essay ‘People should not work beyond the age of retirement’ Sample essay ‘Nowadays more and more people want to live alone’ Sample essay ‘Housework should be shared evenly between men and women’ Sample essay ‘Many people support animal testing while others disagree’ Sample essay ‘Women should be treated as equal to men when applying for a job with the police’ Sample essay ‘In the modern world it is possible to shop, work and communicate via internet’ Sample essay ‘Some think that hosting an international sporting event is beneficial for a country’

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Sport and Exercise

Sample essay ‘Some think it is fine for professional athletes to misbehave on or off the field’ Sample essay ‘Very few people walk nowadays’

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Technology

Sample essay ‘The development of technology causes traditional skills to die out’ Sample essay ‘Some believe that modern technology is increasing the gap between the rich and poor’

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Tourism

Sample essay ‘Many believe international tourism is bad for their country’

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Work

Sample essay ‘Senior managers should have higher salaries than other employees’ Sample essay ‘Should employers pay more attention to personal qualities rather than qualifications?’ Sample essay ‘In many workplaces online communication has overtaken face to face meetings’ Sample essay ‘Many people try to achieve a work-life balance but fail’

IELTS Model Essays on the Topic of Young People

Sample essay ‘Some parents encourage young people to leave home’ Sample essay ‘In many countries young people start living on their own after high school’ Sample essay ‘Some think that young people should be free to choose any career they like’ Sample essay ‘Young people are finding it harder to find permanent jobs’ Sample essay ‘Young generation is facing many problems at school and at home’ Sample essay ‘Young people aren’t spending their weekends doing outdoor activities’

Note: the essays were checked by an IELTS teacher, not an IELTS examiner or examiner trainer. All the band scores are approximate.

How To Write an IELTS Band 8 Essay

Essay samples are useful to get an idea what a Band 8 essay looks like, but how can YOU write a Band 8 essay? As you know, an IELTS essay is scored using 4 criteria:

1. Task Response 2. Coherence and Cohesion 3. Lexical Resource 4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Many test takers are unsure what is wrong with their essay, why they keep scoring Band 6.5 and how to take their writing to Band 8 level. Is that how you feel, too? Keep reading then, because we are just about to analyse a Band 6.5 essay and show you what to change in it, to get a Band 8 score in IELTS.

Colours show elements relating to each criterion that affect the Band Score of this sample IELTS essay. Hold mouse over highlighted words (or tap on mobile) to see the comments, suggestions and corrections.

IELTS Essay Analysed and Rewritten from Band 6.5 to Band 8

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience.

IELTS Sample Essay – Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion and Lexical Resource Analysis

1. Task Response Analysis: This essay follows the task requirements quite well. Both points of view are discussed (in paragraphs 2 and 3) and the writer’s personal opinion is offered (in the introduction, paragraph 4 and the conclusion). The opinion is clear. The paragraph on money is not very well developed and not entirely clear. Approximate score for Task Response: Band 7.

2. Coherence and Cohesion Analysis: Most linking expressions are appropriate but two are not (see asterisk *). Coherence is concerned with the effectiveness of what the essay is trying to communicate. The essay is well structured – each paragraph announces its topic clearly [TS] and the introduction announces the opinion of the writer. Sometimes the ideas are not entirely clear inside the paragraphs (see NC). Also the writer has a tendency to be repetitive. Approximate score for Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.

3. Lexical Resource Analysis : The use of vocabulary seems quite reasonable but attempts to use a wider range are not always successful (see corrections above). Probably not quite good enough for a 7. Approximate score for Lexical Resource: Band 6 or 6.5.

The same IELTS Sample Essay – Grammatical Range and Accuracy Analysis

Certainly, money is an important part in our lives. It is hard for any persons to accept a partner which does not have money or at least a job to take care of future family . Hence, said “marry for money” (#5) also has its right in some extent .

However, love should be the root of any marriages . Firstly, it is because love is such a glue to connect two persons which have their own lives, become one. So, they can share each other’s the sadness , happiness to overcome any difficulties in daily lives . Moreover, love makes people growing up because they do not only have responsibility to themselves, but also to their partners as well. That is why marrying with love is always encouraged.

In my opinion, I think that both love and money is both necessary. Marriage relying on money would be rapidly disintegrated when unfortunately the money is run out . In contrary , marriage relying on love would sometimes come to end when they could not earn money to carry out family , such as paying bills, buying food, etc . Therefore, love and money should stand together in marriage even though their contribution could be unbalanced.

As we have seen, marriage without either money or love would come to an unhappy ending. So I believe that they both have their own contribution to a merry family.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy Analysis : Although the essay is quite easy to follow, it has too many grammatical errors in too many sentences to merit a 7 score (see corrections highlighted above). The range of grammatical constructions used seems quite good. Approximate score for Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6 or 6.5.

Improving the Sample Essay to Achieve an IELTS Band 7

The same essay now at around a Band 7 level might look something like this. Read it carefully and compare it with the original:

Certainly, money plays an important part in our lives. It is hard for any persons to accept a partner who does not have money or at least a job to take care of their future family. Hence, it is said, “marry for money” is right in some extent.

However, love should be the root of any marriage. Firstly, it is because love is such a strong bond between two persons who have their own lives, and become one. So, they can share each other’s sadness, happiness to overcome any difficulties in their daily lives. Moreover, love makes people grow up because they do not only have responsibility to themselves, but also to their partners as well. That is why marrying for love is always encouraged.

In my opinion, I think that love and money are both necessary. A marriage relying on money would rapidly disintegrate when unfortunately the money ran out. In contrary, a marriage relying on love would sometimes come to end when they could not earn money to carry out family duties such as paying bills, buying food, etc. Therefore, love and money should stand together in marriage even though their contribution could be unbalanced.

As we have seen, marriage without either money or love would come to an unhappy end. So I believe that they both make their own contribution to a merry family.

Improving the Sample Essay to Achieve an IELTS Band 8

To turn the Band 7 sample essay into a Band 8 one would require further improvement in range and accuracy of grammar, greater clarity and better connection of ideas, and a wider range of appropriate, higher level vocabulary.

So the same sample essay now at around a Band 8 level might look something like this. Once again, read it carefully and compare it with the original:

Clearly, love should be the foundation of any marriage. This is because firstly, love is such a strong bond between two persons, who have their own lives, yet become one. They can share each other’s sadness or happiness in order to overcome any difficulties in daily lives. Moreover, love fosters maturity because each member of a couple no longer has responsibility only for themselves, but also for their partner. These are just two, key reasons why marrying for love should always be encouraged.

In my opinion, love and money are equally necessary. A marriage relying solely on money might rapidly disintegrate in the unfortunate event of the money running out. Similarly, a marriage relying on love alone might sometimes come to an end if the couple could not earn enough money to manage their family’s obligations such as paying bills, or buying food. Therefore, love and money should stand together in marriage, even though their contribution might often be somewhat unequal.

To summarise, marriage without either money or love could come to an unfortunate end. For that reason, I would claim that they both make their own, vital contribution to the creation of a happy family.

If after reading these sample essays you are still missing something and can’t write at Band 8 level, don’t panic. We have a book that can help to improve your grammar and sentence formation, teach you how to connect your ideas better and give you a wide range of appropriate, higher level vocabulary. Go here to discover the “IELTS Success Formula” book .

Related posts:

65 thoughts on “IELTS Essay Samples of Band 8”

do U have any specific app regarding ielts

We would love to make one! What kind of app would you find useful?

It would be a a great helpful for me to achieve a desire band score.

a great work by the owner!love you for making this world damn resourceful.

how can i get my essays corrected and essessed?

That is very easy! All you need to do is visit the Writing Correction page and purchase a package. We will email you instructions how to send your tasks (via email) and our teachers will also be returning your checked work via email.

this website was so helpful

Thank you! I’m glad it helps.

There’s no doubt that these essay samples of band 8 are very well written, students will remember it during exams.

Great to hear, thanks Benard!

I have my exam in 2 weeks. I hardly get the time to prepare for it due to my work. So, literally I’m panicking right now. Came across your content, and really loved it. They way you’ve put it forward with mistakes and errors highlighted. It gives me a little hope that i can prepare for my ielts by following your resources. Thankyou so much!!

Hello, I’ve my ilets exam in two weeks and I hardly find time to prepare it due to my job. I was panicking, and luckily came across your website and found the content so helpful. They way you habe put forward the esaay and highlighted the errors and mistakes makes it so easy to understand. Thankyou. You’re doing an amazing job!!

Thank you so much for your feedback, Areeb. You’re going through some stressful time, and it’s really great to hear that our resources are helping. Please feel free to contact me anytime if you have any questions about anything IELTS-related.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'ielts_practice_org-box-2','ezslot_5',162,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-ielts_practice_org-box-2-0'); Tagged: band 8.5 essay sample

Please enable JavaScript

The Government Should Give Each Citizen A Basic Income So That They Have Enough Money To Live On | Band 8.5 IELTS Essay Sample

Some people believe that governments should pay full course fees for students who want to study in universities | band 8.5 ielts essay sample, global warming is one of the biggest threats humans face in the 21st century and sea levels are continuing to rise at alarming rates | band 8.5 ielts essay sample, some people say that now we can see films on our phones or tablets and there is no need to go to the cinema | band 8.5 ielts essay sample, some people think that famous people can help international aid organizations to draw attention to important problems | band 8.5 ielts essay sample, should governments make decisions about people’s lifestyle, or should people make their own decisions | band 8.5 ielts essay sample, many people say that cooking and eating at home is better for individuals and the family than eating in restaurants | band 8.5 ielts essay sample, money is important in most people’s lives. although some people think it is more important than others | band 8.5 ielts essay sample, people aim to achieve balance between work and other activities of their life but few are able to do this | band 8.5 ielts essay sample, the tendency of news media to focus on problems and emergencies rather than good news has a negative effect on individuals and society | band 8.5 ielts essay sample, get free lessons in your inbox, author | manjusha nambiar.

ielts essay 8 5

Comparing IELTS essay band 6.5 and band 8 for writing task 2

What are the differences between the essays, ielts writing task 2 sample one: essay’s introduction that scored band 6.5, ielts writing task 2 sample two: essay’s introduction that scored band 8, ielts writing task 2 sample three: essay’s first paragraph that scored band 6.5, ielts writing task 2 sample four: essay’s first paragraph that scored band 8, conclusion of why one essay scored higher than the other, tutorials and tips to prepare for task 2.

IELTS Preparation with Liz: Free IELTS Tips and Lessons, 2023

IELTS Writing Task 2 Band Scores 5 to 8 with Tips

Learn how your IELTS writing task 2 is marked and the difference between band scores 5, 6, 7 and 8 with tips to improve your score. You need to understand the 4 marking criteria used by the examiner to fulfil the requirements of the score you want.

4 Marking Criteria for IELTS Writing Task 2

The examiner will assess your IELTS essay using the 4 criteria below. Each criterion is worth 25% of your total marks for task 2. You will be given a band score for each criteria and then a total score for task 2. See bottom of page for example of scoring.

Task Response

This task 2 marking criterion is about your answer to the IELTS essay question, your main ideas and how you develop them.

task response marking criteria

Your score will increase if you:

Coherence and Cohesion

The IELTS examiner will check the organisation of your essay, the paragraphs and your use of linking devices.

coherence and cohesion criterion task 2

Lexical Resource

Your use of vocabulary, your paraphrasing, your spelling and the number of mistakes you make will be assessed in this criterion.

vocabulary band score

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

The IELTS examiner will give you a band score for your sentence structures, the tenses you use, your control of grammar and also the number of mistakes you make.

grammar band score

Example of Writing Task 2 Scoring Calculated

You will get a band score for each of the above criteria and then a total score for task 2. Here’s an example:

Total Score for IELTS Writing Task 2 : 6 + 7 + 6 + 6 = 25/4 = 6.25. This score will be increased to 6.5. To calculate your score, add all scores together and divide by 4.

IELTS Writing Task 1 Band Scores 5, 6, 7 & 8: Differences and Tips

All IELTS Band Scores Explained

Penalty for Under Word Count

Note: The information above is taken from the band score descriptors published by IELTS. To learn about band scores 1-9, please see the public band score descriptors for writing task 2 published by IELTS.

Recommended Pages for IELTS Writing Task 2

Main IELTS Pages Develop your IELTS skills with tips, model answers, lessons, free videos and more. IELTS Listening IELTS Reading IELTS Writing Task 1 IELTS Writing Task 2 IELTS Speaking Vocabulary for IELTS IELTS Test Information (FAQ) Home Page: IELTS Liz

Get my free lessons by email

Subscribe for free to get my new IELTS lessons sent to your email inbox.

Recent Lessons

50% discount: advanced ielts lessons & e-books, ielts speaking part 1 topics for 2023, inspiration for a high score, trees, plants, gardens and parks topics in ielts speaking, ielts speaking part 2 topics relating to phones, the end of an era, advanced ielts.

Writing Task 2 Advanced Lessons & E-books. Target 7, 8 & 9. CLICK HERE: VISIT LIZ'S STORE

ielts essay 8 5

Click Below to Learn:

IELTS Test Information

Copyright Notice

Copyright © Elizabeth Ferguson, 2014 – 2023

All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy & Disclaimer

Return to top of page

Copyright © 2023 · Prose on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

IELTS Band 8 Essay Samples

These are IELTS band 8 essay samples that have been given grades (of 8 or 8.5) and basic comments on the score for each criteria by an experienced IELTS instructor.

View other samples:

Topic: Health & Diet (Band 8)

Some people believe that it is the responsibility of individuals to take care of their own health and diet. Others however believe that governments should make sure that their citizens have a healthy diet.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Nowadays an increasing number of people are becoming concerned about their health and the quality of their diet. There are two diametrically opposed opinions on the matter. Some people believe that each and every individual is responsible for their own health while others state that it is the government that must ensure that the citizens have healthy eating habits.

Personally, I believe that people bear full responsibility for their diets for a number of reasons. First, nowadays there is a vast variety of products that everyone can choose from, ensuring a balanced diet consisting of different types of products with sufficient vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Everyone can balance their diets according to these factors and also based on their taste preferences. For example vegetarians will prefer beans rich in protein while omnivorous eaters might opt for meat instead. Secondly, while governments cannot considerably vary in their healthy eating programs usually adhering to 'one size fits all' approach, individuals know exactly what they need in order to keep fit and healthy both generally speaking and in terms of food. We take tailored approach as we know exactly what we need to succeed in life, be strong and healthy.

However, others argue that the government is fully responsible for the kind of food its population consume because they make decisions regarding the quality of food their country produce and import as well as prices. For instance, in many developing countries people rarely have access to high quality food, thus being forced to choose something cheap like fast food. Moreover, the government can introduce legislation as regards to what kind of food can be promoted, seen for example in many European countries where the advertising of fast food, alcohol and cigarettes is prohibited. These measure, it is argued, can affect the way we eat and control the diets of the whole population.

In conclusion, while the governments may play a role in the choice of food of its citizens, it is still the responsibility of every individual whether to eat healthy diet or not due to many reasons being that a variety of methods to balance their diets or their finances. After all our life is in our hands!

Task Response: 8

The question is answered and ideas are well-supported. Both parts of the question are fully addressed. Some parts are not given quite enough explanation and the logic appears faulty. For instance, the statement that developing countries depend on fast food. The essay should also not end with an informal comment such as "After all our life is in our hands!"

Coherence & Cohesion: 8

This IELTS band 8 essay sample is well-organised with a mix of transition signals and some good use of referencing and substitution. However, there are slightly too many transitions in initial position to get a 9 e.g. first, for example, secondly. These need to be more sophisticated. There is a danger with this that it could be awarded a band 7.

Lexical Resource: 8

There is a good mix of relevant topic related vocabulary of a high level, an excellent awareness of collocation, and plenty of evidence of less common vocabulary. However, there are some errors which would prevent a 9 e.g. "...cannot considerably vary in...".

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: 8

The writer has a very good grasp of grammar with a good mix of complex sentence and forms, with a very high level of accuracy. However, a few errors persist that prevent a 9 e.g. a missing article in "We take tailored approach" and "whether to eat healthy diet..." and a missing plural 's' in "These measure...".

Topic: Professionals Working Abroad (Band 8)

An increasing number of professionals, such as doctors and teachers, are leaving their own poorer countries to work in developed countries.

What problems does this cause?

What solutions can you suggest to deal with this situation?

Nowadays more and more professionals that play a key role in the social stability and development, including in the spheres of education and medicine prefer to find a job in more developed countries that provide more opportunities. Evidently, it creates a deficiency and lack of professional help in the above-mentioned spheres. This essay will address the problems such situation causes and conceivable solutions to redress it.

The most serious problem associated with the drain of the experts in vital areas of life is the consequent shortage of specialists and hence, lack of professional help for citizens of poor countries that can lead to deterioration of the conditions of life. It goes without saying that it is the work of these specialists that is absolutely essential for the survival of people. For example, if professional, qualified doctors leave their poorer countries in search of a better life it leads to a deterioration in the medical help available and in some cases even considerable life losses and decrease of life expectancy. Therefore, local communities and the whole society are seriously affected by such changes in the labour market.

To redress the balance in such a situation there must be serious measures taken by the government. Considerable funds are to be invested in these spheres to contribute to the improvement of work conditions and salaries of different professionals. For example, governments might stimulate young professionals by paying them additional bonuses for working in public hospitals and schools or fund their education. This, in turn, will create better chances to retain stuff and boost the morale of experts, who might choose to stay in their countries in order to contribute to its growth and development.

To conclude, it is apparent that a great number of specialists, especially young ones, opt for working in more developed countries and this trend is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future. However, governments can try to solve this problem by allocating more funds and invest more in the enhancement of working conditions for specialists. Were they to turn a blind eye to the current situation, it would have a pernicious effect on their countries.

B oth problems and solutions are addressed in the essay, and ideas are extended and supported. The ideas though in each body paragraph could have been explained more succinctly, providing the opportunity to add further supporting ideas, rather than the just one that appear in each body paragraph. Reducing the length of the introduction and conclusion would help to achieve this.

Generally coherence and cohesion is very good in this IELTS band 8 essay sample but there could be more variety and more sophisticated cohesive devices used i.e. 'for example' is used twice.

An excellent range of vocabulary, mostly used correctly and appropriately However, a few minor errors persist, such as using 'stuff' instead of 'staff'.

The IELTS band 8 essay sample overall has very good grammar, but there are still a few grammatical errors or the wrong choices. For example, "Considerable funds are to be invested" should be "Considerable funds should be invested" and there are also some errors with punctuation, such as missing commas.

Band 7+ eBooks

"I think these eBooks are FANTASTIC!!! I know that's not academic language, but it's the truth!"

Linda, from Italy, Scored Band 7.5

ielts essay 8 5

View the eBooks

Before you go...don't miss getting the score you need! Check out the IELTS buddy Band 7+ eBooks

ielts essay 8 5

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

New! Comments

ielts essay 8 5

IELTS Modules:

Other resources:.

ielts essay 8 5

Recent Articles

IELTS Reading Mock Test Academic

Feb 20, 23 07:46 AM

IELTS Bar Chart: Modes of Transport in a European City

Feb 16, 23 03:44 AM

ielts essay 8 5

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Sample Answers

Feb 14, 23 09:10 AM

Important pages

IELTS Writing IELTS Speaking IELTS Listening IELTS Reading All Lessons Vocabulary Academic Task 1 Academic Task 2 Practice Tests

Connect with us

Copyright © 2022- IELTSbuddy All Rights Reserved

IELTS is a registered trademark of University of Cambridge, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia. This site and its owners are not affiliated, approved or endorsed by the University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia.

The official IELTS by IDP app is here! Download it today.

Which test do I take?

IELTS test format

IELTS Academic preparation

IELTS General Training preparation

IELTS band scores

How is IELTS marked?

IELTS band score calculator

Get my IELTS results

IELTS Writing Task 2: 8 steps towards a band 8

In IELTS Writing Task 2, you will need to write an essay. Let our IELTS Experts walk you through 8 steps that can help you get a band 8. Take a closer look at the assessment criteria, how to structure your essay and common mistakes to avoid.

On this page

Step 1: answer is relevant to the question, step 2: answer all parts of the question, step 3: organise your essay logically, with clear progression using linking phrases, step 4: organise your essays into paragraphs, step 5: use less common vocabulary and spell it correctly, step 6: don’t use memorised language, phrases or examples, step 7: use a variety of complex sentence structures, step 8: checklist, is ielts writing hard, ielts writing for beginners.

To achieve a band 8 in IELTS Writing Task 2 , you will need to produce an essay that contains all the positive features contained in the band 8 writing assessment criteria. Let's take a look at these in the table below.

Using the band descriptors as a guide we are going to go through the 8 steps to get you on your way to a band 8 in Writing Task 2.

We will start with the task response before moving through all the criteria to show you what an examiner will be looking for in your response.

Answer what you have been asked in the question. Don’t produce an essay that is close to a topic you have previously prepared. Make sure your examples and ideas are relevant. If you generalise too much and are not specific enough this will affect how your ideas are presented to the examiner.

Make sure your ideas are directly related to the question 

Use ideas and examples that you are familiar with, and that relate directly to the topic

Extend your answer to include a number of ideas that will support the question.

Include irrelevant information 

Over-generalise 

Produce a memorised essay

Present ‘recent’ research or statistics related to the topic “At least 41% of all men…”

IDP IELTS preparation offer

IDP offers free access to an IELTS preparation course developed by Macquarie University. Prepare better and move towards a high band score!

You must read the question carefully and decide how many parts are in it. You must answer all parts of the question to reach a band 6 or higher.

Let’s look at some example IELTS question prompts and see how many parts are in each, if you need to present your opinion. Remember, it is very important to present a clear position when answering the statement to show that you understand the question being asked and to keep that position clear throughout the essay.

Read the question carefully and decide how many parts are in it

Present your opinion and support it throughout the whole essay

If asked to present both views, make sure each view is presented equally (similar paragraph length)

Watch for plurals. If you are asked to give ‘advantages’, you must present a minimum of 2

Watch for ‘and’. You may need to comment on more than one element

Write more than 250 words.

Ignore parts of the question

Assume that your opinion is clear, use the first person to ensure the examiner knows it’s your opinion ‘I think’

Tell the examiner what you are going to say and what you have said

Produce a short essay.

Ideas must be expressed and ordered clearly - starting with an introduction and moving through to a conclusion.

If you are asked to present both views and your opinion, state your opinion at the beginning of the essay and then move on to present both views. You can then come back to your own opinion and then conclude the essay. This is a logical way to present these ideas.

Use a range of linking words and phrases, but don’t overuse them

Use adverbial phrases, rather than single basic linkers

Use referencing and substitution to avoid repetition (this/them/the issue/the problem)

Use punctuation to make your writing coherent

Make sure your ideas are sequenced correctly

Make sure your ideas are logical and easy to follow

Use a separate paragraph for the introduction and the conclusion 

Use one paragraph for each idea or topic area.

Overuse basic linking words like firstly (instead, try using ‘The first reason for/ The primary reason for this’)

Start every sentence with a linker (Try to put it in the middle of a sentence. E.g. “Some people believe, however, that individuals must also take responsibility for the environment” or “I believe, on the other hand, that individuals do have a responsibility to…”)

Use numbers, symbols or abbreviations (1, 2, etc, &, +)

Use headings or subheadings

Underline words or phrases

Use one-sentence paragraphs 

Start every sentence with a linking device.

Use paragraphs to organise your essay into clear parts. Make sure each paragraph contains a clear and developed topic with a minimum of two sentences.

You can use the acronym “PEEL” when writing your essay:

Point – introduce your topic or topic sentence

Example – an example that supports your point

Explain – why this evidence supports your point

Link – transition to the next topic or paragraph

You must use enough paragraphs to clearly show a structured response. This will show that you can organise and present your thoughts and ideas logically.

Here are some ideas on how many paragraphs you could include in an essay:

Use linkers between and within your paragraphs

Leave a space between each paragraph (a line)

Use a paragraph for each topic

Use an introduction and a conclusion.

Use single-sentence paragraphs

Use very long paragraphs that cover a whole page (IELTS on paper)

You will see in the band descriptors that a band 8 writer skillfully uses uncommon lexical items. When we learn a language, we use common and uncommon terms. Common terms are words and phrases we use every day to refer to personal experience and daily habits. Uncommon terms are used when we discuss specific topics or when we use idiomatic language (phrasal verbs).

Words that are old-fashioned and not used in everyday speech should not be used. If you choose a synonym, the meaning must be the same and must not alter the idea being presented. For example, adolescent/teenager have close meaning and can be used interchangeably, however, toddler/baby have quite different meanings.

Collocation is also mentioned in band 8, and it is assumed that you know which words go together, and which words are suitable to use for different topics.

If you are discussing child crime, you could use the term ‘minor’ as this is a legal term used to describe children under the age of 18.

If you use phrasal verbs, make sure that you are using the correct preposition as it can change the meaning:

throw out/away = discard

throw up = vomit/get sick

Idioms (cultural language) should only be used if you understand them completely and if they fit the topic you are discussing.

Use precise word choices

Use language that we use in everyday speech

Use words that you understand

Use words and phrases that are related to the topic

Use collocation and phrasal verbs (words that go together naturally – environmental pollution | major issue | promising future)

Make spelling mistakes

Mix up American and British spelling (You should use one or the other)

Use a word if you don’t understand it or cannot spell it.

Use imprecise words like ‘stuff/thing’

Use slang like ‘gonna’

Use old-fashioned language [the masses| denizens | myopic view | Hitherto]

Overuse synonyms, one is enough

Use idioms/clichés

Use contractions (can’t, doesn’t)

Don’t use any memorised language, phrases or examples throughout your essay. They are easy for examiners to spot and don’t demonstrate your ability to write fluently.

Overused phrases, idioms, proverbs and clichés should also be avoided, again, they are often used when speaking. These include phrases like:

The grass is always greener on the other side

Off the top of my head

A friend in need is a friend indeed

Additionally, the following terms should not be used when writing as they are vague and do not address a task appropriately. You should always be using clear language and make appropriate word choices that will express your ideas clearly.

At band 8 it is expected that you can use a wide range of structures accurately to present your ideas and opinion. Show the examiner that you can use a wide range of structures and make sure your sentences are error-free.

It is important to use a mix of complex and simple sentences. But remember, your complex sentences should not be long and complicated.

Your punctuation needs to be accurate, using capitalisation, commas and full stops correctly.

The most common errors made can be found below:

Use the following checklist to make sure that your writing contains all the positive features at a band 8

If you follow these 8 steps, you will be well on your way to a band 8 in Writing Task 2.

IELTS writing is not so hard if you have a thorough understanding of the test format and are able to organise your thoughts into grammatically-correct, well-structured sentences. Obviously it requires a fair amount of practice. To make it easy, IDP has launched IELTS Prepare where you can access a range of preparation materials: from practice tests, sample answers, videos and articles, all the way to expert assessments, online courses, webinars and more.

Join our free IDP IELTS webinars that are designed to give you a sense of what to expect during the IELTS Writing test and guide you towards reaching a high band score:

Improve your understanding of the writing test format and questions

Identify key points

Make your answers relevant

Organize your answers in a more coherent manner

8 Steps to help you reach a band 8: IELTS Writing Task 2

Let our IELTS Expert guide you through the 8 steps needed to reach a band 8 in IELTS Writing Task 2.

5 reasons why IELTS is the top-choice of test takers worldwide

Timed practice to help prepare better for your ielts test day, ielts academic and general free practice tests.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more

IELTS Advantage

IELTS Preparation Courses

Band 5 and 8 in IELTS Writing Task 2 – Band Scores Explained

This post explains the difference between band 5 and band 8 task 2 answers.

ielts essay 8 5

This post explains the difference between band 5 and band 8 task 2 answers by detailing the differences in the IELTS Writing Task 2 Marking Criteria.

One of the keys to success in the IELTS writing test is understanding how the test is marked and using this knowledge to increase your band score. You can then give the examiners exactly what they want and focus on doing the things that get high scores.

This post will look at what each of the four criteria mean and the practical differences between typical band 5 answers and band 8 answers. I have also put each band score for each category in a helpful table for you so it’s easy to compare and understand.

The four criteria you will be marked on are:

Don’t worry if you don’t know what these mean; I will explain them below. You can download the full writing task 2 band descriptors here .

ielts essay 8 5

The examiner will be looking for your ability to answer the question properly. What does this actually mean?

Looking at the marking criteria above, we notice that essays in bands 6, 7 and 8 fully address all parts of the question. This means that if you do not fully address all parts of the question, you will get a band 5 or below.

This means that you should read the questions very carefully and make sure you cover everything it asks. Let’s look at an example:

More and more people nowadays have to compete with younger people for the same job.

What problems does this cause?

What are some possible solutions?

We need to talk about two different things- ‘problems’ and ‘solutions’. If we don’t include these in our answer, we cannot score higher than band 5 for task achievement. Also, if you talked about ‘causes’ instead of ‘problems’, you would score 5 or below because this is not what the question asks you to discuss.

Let’s look at another example:

Some people say that the best way to improve public health is by increasing the number of sports facilities. Others, however, say that this would have little effect on public health and that other measures are required.

Discuss both of these views and give your own opinion.

This question requires us to do three things:

If we don’t do all 3 of these, we cannot score above a 5 for task achievement.

Now that we know how to score above a 5 we need to look at the difference between bands 6, 7 and 8 for task achievement.

The difference between these scores is about how we support our ideas with explanations and examples.

Band 6 – Gives relevant ideas, but these may not be fully developed with explanations or examples, or the explanations and examples given are irrelevant.

Example – The main problem causing traffic jams is too many cars. There are lots more cars these days.

The idea is relevant, but they have failed to explain why cars cause traffic jams or give examples.

Band 7- Gives relevant ideas, and these are developed with explanations or examples, but these ideas may be too general or lack focus.

Example- The main problem causing traffic jams is too many cars. In many cities around the world, there are lots of cars, and this causes traffic jams. For example, the number of cars purchased in developing countries is increasing yearly.

This student has presented a clear position, but they have given a very general explanation, and their example lacks focus and is not specifically linked to the main point.

Band 8 – Gives relevant ideas and these are developed with focused and specific ideas and examples.

Example- The main problem causing traffic jams is too many cars. When we have more vehicles than a city’s infrastructure was designed for, it leads to congestion. For example, Ho Chi Minh City was designed to cope with around 500,000 cars, and the city now has over 2 million cars, resulting in chronic traffic problems.

This student has explained their point very well, explaining exactly why they think too many cars are the problem and giving a very specific and relevant example to prove their point. If you can’t think of a specific example , make one up. The examiners are not interested in how factual your examples are, just your ability to make one.

Task Achievement Key Points

ielts essay 8 5

Coherence refers to your ability to be clear and easily understood.

For answers in bands 6, 7 and 8 in this category, all parts are easy to read and understand. Parts of band 5 answers are not easy to understand.

This may be because you have lots of grammar mistakes, you have lost grammatical control of your sentences, the words and sentences are in a very illogical order, or you have used words and phrases that are not appropriate or accurate.

The examiner will be able to understand all parts of band 6, 7 and 8 answers, but the ease of understanding will increase as we go up the bands.

Band 5 answers tend to have lots of different ideas in each paragraph. Band 7 and 8 answers have only one idea in each paragraph, and they then use the rest of that paragraph to explain and support that point.

You can increase your band score by making it very clear to the examiner what each paragraph is about and then logically organise each sentence within that paragraph.

At a sentence level, the main body paragraphs should follow this structure :

Example- The best way to improve the health and fitness of the public is through advertisement campaigns. Many people are unaware of regular exercise’s health benefits, and a healthy diet and an advertising campaign could be used to educate people. For example, the ‘5-a-day’ campaign used in the UK was extremely effective in getting people to eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

The topic sentence makes it clear to the reader what the main point is, and this is extended with an explanation in the second sentence and a relevant example in the third. If we were to order these sentences differently, they would be more difficult to understand.

At a paragraph level, the task 2 essay should have:

You can further increase your score for coherence by writing an effective introduction and then linking your points to this introduction.

Cohesion refers to your ability to link ideas, sentences and paragraphs together, and one of the ways we do this is through the use of cohesive devices.

Cohesive devices are also sometimes called ‘linking devices’ or ‘linking words’. Below are some examples:

Band 5 answers either fail to use any of these devices or use them inaccurately. Some band 5 answers use these devices, but they overuse them. You don’t get any marks for using them in every sentence and you will actually lose marks for using them too much.

Band 6 answers tend to use linking phrases, but their use is not appropriate, or there is too much repetition of the same phrase. Try to vary your phrases by using synonyms.

Band 7 answers use a good range of these linking phrases effectively, but there might be some over or underuse.

Band 8 candidates make no mistakes when using cohesive devices. They are used accurately, and there is no overuse.

Coherence and Cohesion Key Points

ielts essay 8 5

Lexical resource is just a complicated name for the words and phrases you use, or in a word, vocabulary.

Band 5 users have very limited vocabulary and rarely use ‘topic-specific’ words. For example, if we were asked this question:

Nowadays lots of young people don’t have a job.

What are the main causes of this?

A band 5 answer might say:

Many young people don’t have a job because there is no money. There is no money because countries are not doing well with money now. For example, countries in Europe don’t have any money, and lots of young people don’t have jobs.

This candidate has repeated words from the question because they are not aware of synonyms for words like ‘young people’ and ‘job’. They are also unable to express their opinion effectively because they don’t know the vocabulary that is specific to the question like ‘unemployment’, ‘recession’, ‘financial crisis’ and ‘economic’.

A good candidate would use topic-specific vocabulary to improve the answer like so:

Many of today’s younger generation are unemployed because of the financial crisis. The financial downturn caused huge economic problems all over the world. For example, European nations find themselves with massive youth unemployment, with over half of 18-25-year-olds out of work in countries like Greece.

This answer has basically the same meaning, but the author’s points are clearer and more developed because of a wide-ranging vocabulary.

Band 6, 7 and 8 answers generally have some question-specific vocabulary, but as we go up the bands, their word choices are more accurate, and question-specific vocabulary is used more frequently.

Band 6 answers attempt to use lesson common words, but there is some inaccuracy and some errors with word formation and spelling.

Band 7 answers have far fewer of these errors; however, some errors are permitted. The words chosen here are more likely to use the correct style and collocations. There is still some repetition of words permitted.

Band 8 answers have very few spelling or word formation errors and use very appropriate words to convey meaning precisely. There is also very little repetition of words.

It should be noted that the cohesive devices mentioned above do not contribute to your score for lexical resource.

Finally, getting a high score for lexical resource is NOT about including lots of long or complicated words. If you do this and they are not appropriate and accurate, you will lose marks. To get a high band score, you need to use less common words, but these need to be used precisely.

Lexical Resource Key Points

ielts essay 8 5

To understand this section, you should first appreciate a ‘complex sentence’ and understand and analyse a complex sentence.

A complex sentence does not need to be very long, complicated or even difficult to write; my guide on how to write a complex sentence should help you improve your score.

Band 5 answers use mostly ‘simple sentences’, and frequent errors occur when ‘complex sentences’ are attempted. Most of the sentences have grammatical errors. The errors make it difficult for the reader to understand the points being made.

Band 6 answers use a mix of ‘simple’ and ‘complex sentences’, and frequent errors still occur when attempting ‘complex sentences’. The majority of sentences have errors, but these errors rarely stop the reader from understanding the points being made.

Band 7 answers use a variety of ‘complex structures’, and around 50% of the sentences are completely error-free.

Band 8 answers have a wide range of appropriate structures. Most of the sentences are completely error-free.

It should be noted that the more small errors you make, the more likely you will get a lower band score, especially if these errors prevent the reader from understanding what you have written. You should, therefore, only use structures you are comfortable with and know are 100% error-free.

Have your writing marked by a teacher, establish your common errors, and fix them.

Grammatical Range Key Points

About Christopher Pell

My name is Christopher Pell and I'm the Managing Director of IELTS Advantage.

I started IELTS Advantage as a simple blog to help 16 students in my class. Several years later, I am very humbled that my VIP Course has been able to help thousands of people around the world to score a Band 7+ in their IELTS tests.

If you need my help with your IELTS preparation, you can send me an email using the contact us page.

IMAGES

Essay Template Ielts
Ielts Essay 1
IELTS essay "To what extent" video lesson
sle essay band 8 5 ielts preparation course
IELTS Sample Essay Topics 2020 Band 9
IELTS Sample Essay Topics 2020 Band 9

VIDEO

IELTS LISTENING SPELLING TEST II Tips and Tricks II Question/Answer
Google Search Tricks You’ve Never Used
IELTS Speaking Part 1 Tutorial || MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS Test By Asad Yaqub
Why do we use paper?
Talk about a TV Show you Like to Watch Cue Card
Describe a Place where you go to do Outdoor Activities or Play a Sport

COMMENTS

IELTS Writing Samples Band 8.5
I am writing this letter to seek information about a master of science at New York University. I want to know the tuition fees to be paid for this course.
IELTS Essay Samples of Band 8
IELTS Essay Analysed and Rewritten from Band 6.5 to Band 8 ... IELTS Essay Topic: Some say you should always marry for love; others say that in an uncertain world
Tagged: band 8.5 essay sample
The governments should give each citizen a basic income so that they have enough money to live on, even if they are unemployed. To what extent do you agree
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Band 8 vs Band 6.5
IELTS writing task 2 sample band 8 essay - find out why some essays received band 8 score, while others got 6.5 for Writing Task 2.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Band Scores 5 to 8 with Tips
Learn how your IELTS writing task 2 is marked and the difference between band scores 5, 6, 7 and 8 with tips to improve your score. You need to understand
IELTS Writing Task 2
Are you struggling with IELTS Writing Task 2? Want to get the same tuition that Anna got? Join the Waiting List for my VIP Course here:
IELTS sample essay (band 8.5): Addressing Key Task Words Points
IELTS and TOEFL test takers often make this mistake: they do not address all the key aspects of the task. Sometimes this means they simply
IELTS Band 8 Essay Samples
These are IELTS band 8 essay samples that have been given grades (of 8 or 8.5) and basic comments on the score for each criteria by an experienced IELTS
IELTS Writing Task 2: 8 steps towards a band 8
Find out how to get a band 8 in IELTS Writing Task 2. Let our IELTS Experts walk you ... To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? 4/5.
Band 5 and 8 in IELTS Writing Task 2
Band 5 and 8 in IELTS Writing Task 2 – Band Scores Explained · Structure your answers in logical paragraphs · One main idea per paragraph · Include