Free Online Vocabulary Test
K12, SAT, GRE, IELTS, TOEFL
 By Kurz Band

Steps to Band 9 of IELTS Essay Writing

1. Overview
IELTS Writing Task 2 requires a test taker to write 250 words academic essay on a given topic in 40 minutes. To get a top score essay, like band 9 or band 8, you should finish the job perfectly with five steps.

Step 1: Analysis of the given question It would help if you understood the subject without any doubt and what the examiners are expecting. If your answer leaves the issue a little, you miss the chance to get top scores. So you need to identify the question type, keywords, and instructions to ensure that your understanding matches the essay's topic and requirement.

Step 2. Planning Band 9 essay must have a perfect structure. Test takers usually plan for up to 10 minutes to organize ideas and structure before writing to make a great essay.

Step 3. Introduction An introduction is a start to impress examiners to shoot band 9. Answer the question directly and tell the examiners your view or argument.

Step 4. Main Body Paragraphs Demonstrate your detail and logic, state your main points, and support explanations and relevant examples to build the top band essay's body.

Step 5. Conclusion Do you succeed in a band 9 essay? Provide an excellent summary of what you have already said is the last nail of your masterpiece. Never ignore it.

2. Band 9 Essay Criteria
In general, examiners check essays from 4 factors:
  • Task Response
  • Coherence and cohesion
  • Lexical Resource
  • Grammatical range and accuracy
Band 9 is the highest score of IELTS writing. It means test takers should avoid any tiny mistakes in any aspect. The key points are as below:
  • Fully addresses the task
  • Presents a fully developed position to the question with fully extended and supported ideas
  • Uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention
  • Skilfully manages to paragraph
  • Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural control of lexical features
  • Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy
Actually, band 9 essays, of either academic or general tests, aren't impeccable. If you study them, you may see room to refine them. In other words, even if your essay has a few tiny defects, you still have a chance to get the top band. However, Rome wasn't built in a day; how do we achieve a band 9 essay step by step?

3. The Way to Get Band 9
For many IELTS test-takers, band 9 isn't a realistic goal. As a matter of fact, band 8, band 7, and even band 6 are also good scores and are acceptable in most cases. Compared with band 9 essays, their criteria are relatively broader and are easier to meet. Here we introduce respectively how to score them in brief and offer samples.

Starting from Band 6, you will see criteria for each level and sample essays selected accordingly. Studying them is a shortcut to sharpen your IELTS essay skill and get the top score step by step.

3.1 Band 6 Essay
Assessment criteria for Band 6 essay
  • Addresses all parts of the task, maybe unbalanced
  • Presents a relevant position, possibly unclear or repetitive
  • Arranges information and ideas coherently
  • Uses cohesive devices effectively
  • Uses paragraphing, but not always logically
  • Uses an adequate range of vocabulary
  • Attempts to use the less common vocabulary
  • Makes some errors in spelling and grammar, but do not impede communication
  • Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms
Band 6 Essay Sample
Sample 1
Question:
Some people say traveling abroad is necessary to learn about other countries. In contrast, others suggest that TV and the internet can also help people know about foreign countries. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
There is a common belief that if people want to expand their knowledge of other countries, it is vital to visit them. This opinion might be relevant for affluent societies. However, for learning about diverse cultures and traditions, access to an Internet connection and TV is enough. Without a shadow of a doubt, I ...
Sample 2
Question:
Some people think buying local products is always an advantage. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Modern world economics is a highly complex structure. Many different aspects can have negative or positive impacts. However, some people believe that goods made in the local area give only advantages to domestic economics. I completely agree with that point of view and always try to purchase local products.
The main ...
Sample 3
Question:
Some people think that hard work helps achieve financial success, while others think it is not the only thing contributing to financial success. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
While few individuals believe that hard work helps to become wealthy, others claim that it alone cannot justify the cause of being one. Both views are not the subject of an argument that divides people's claims but are interrelated with the central issue of achieving financial success. Besides being a hardworking ...
Sample 4
Question:
Computer games are very popular in all ages and nations. Parents think it has little educational value and more harmful effects. What is your opinion about this? Give examples based on your own experience.
The unprecedented growth of technology has changed every aspect of life, and the computer game is one of them. These days youngster spends quite a of time playing a computer game on their mobile phones and computer screens. The abundance of people argues that it harms people's lives and time-consuming activities, ...
Sample 5
Question:
Some people think that it is more important to be informed of local/national news. Other people think that it is more important to have international news. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
People are divided into the views of whether national and local news is crucial for them, while the opposite advocates that international news is worthwhile for the individual. In my opinion, both provincial and foreign press are fruitful for individual life. I will not only elaborate on both perspectives but also ...
3.2 Band 7 Essay
Assessment criteria for Band 7 essay
  • Addresses all parts of the task
  • Presents a precise position throughout the response
  • Supports main ideas, logically organizes information and ideas
  • Uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately
  • Presents an exact central topic within each paragraph
  • Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary
  • uses less common lexical items
  • May produce occasional errors in word choice and spelling
  • Uses a variety of complex structures
  • Has good control of grammar
Sample 1
Question:
Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. How is it important for individuals and countries to think about the future rather than the present? What's your opinion?
Some believe that 'tomorrow is the most important thing in life.' This perspective emphasizes the significance of looking towards the future with hope and anticipation rather than becoming consumed by present circumstances. I think it's vital for individuals and countries.
Firstly, tomorrow symbolizes opportunity ...
Sample 2
Question:
Some people think new homes must be built with private outdoor spaces such as a garden, yard, or balcony. Do you think this is more advantageous or more disadvantageous?
Nowadays, people are pursuing a higher quality of life and a better-designed home. Some are inclined to buy new houses with private outdoor spaces such as gardens, yards, or balconies. I do not advocate their option because these outdoor leisure places may be responsible for safety risks; therefore, their disadvantages ...
Sample 3
Question:
Many young people do not know how to manage their money when graduating high school. What do you think are the reasons? What can be done to teach them this important skill?
Indeed, the young people graduating from school do not know how to manage finances. There are various possible reasons for this, but steps can be taken to tackle the problem.
There are two critical factors to blame for why children are not taught the importance of money at a young age. Firstly, modern parents tend ...
Sample 4
Question:
Governments should not provide financial support to artists because arts do not improve people's life. Instead, they should let artists support themselves.
People have different views about the funding of creative artists. Because arts do not improve people's lives, some people disagree with government support for artists; I'm afraid I have to disagree with this statement and believe that money for art projects should come from governments and other sources.
Some art ...
3.3 Band 8 Essay
Assessment criteria for band 8 essay
  • Sufficiently addresses all parts of the task
  • Presents a well-developed response to the question
  • Sequences information and ideas logically
  • Manages all aspects of cohesion well
  • Uses paragraphing appropriately
  • Uses a wide range of vocabulary fluently and flexibly
  • Skilfully uses uncommon lexical items
  • Rare errors in spelling
  • The majority of sentences are error-free


4. Last Step to Band 9
Just studying others' essays isn't enough to touch Band 9 or any high scores. The practice is as same as important. We collect recent years' IELTS essay questions here. Hopefully, they can help you.