In order to score a band 8 in IELTS writing task 2, you need to craft an essay answering all the band 8 assessment criteria. Your final band score will depend on the two sections of writing task. The first IELTS band 8 essays academic writing task requires you to write a 150-word essay. The second IELTS writing task asks for a 250+ word essay.
IELTS Band 8 Essay Samples
Now that you have a clearer understanding of how to approach the IELTS band 8 essays, it can be helpful to go through some IELTS test essay samples.
Sample Essay 1
Popular events like the Football World Cup and other international sporting occasions are essential in easing international tension and safely releasing patriotic emotions. Sample answer: The whole world stops to watch international sporting events such as the Olympics every four years. The athletes participating put their best performance on display. Sporting events such as the Football World Cup and the Olympics have helped ease international tension, such as when powerful leaders were trying to control the world’s economy. The Olympic Games are a great example that highlights how sporting events can bring nations together, at least temporarily. Ancient History saw Greeks and Romans interrupting battles to participate in the games. Even now, athletes from Palestine and Israel forget their differences, compete peacefully and even embrace each other after an event. Moreover, these popular events can bring world attention to the terrible consequences of wars, putting pressure on leaders to try and reach agreements to end disputes. Similarly, international sporting events have offered benefits in some Global South nations which live in constant internal civil war. For example, Brazil suffers a high unemployment rate, hunger, crime, lack of education, poverty, and corruption. This can be embarrassing and lead to low self-esteem. However, during the Football World Cup festivities, the Brazilian squad, easily considered the best team in the world, invokes an amazing feeling of pride in their country’s people. Most individuals put aside their problems and worries, and even criminal activity decreases. Roads are painted in the national colours, people wear the Brazilian team shirts and buy national flags. In conclusion, popular sporting events play a decisive role in diminishing international tensions and invoking patriotic feelings.
Sample Essay 2
Many offenders commit more crimes after serving the first punishment. Why is this happening, and what measures can tackle this problem? Sample answer: We often see some criminals committing crimes even after being punished. Yes, there are several reasons for this alarming trend. However, some effective measures can be undertaken by governments to tackle this issue. There are two major reasons for re-offenders. Firstly, the prison system often makes the situation worse. Criminals put together in prison often become friends with one another. While they are locked up in prison, they might not be interested in prison activities or have much to do. They tend to exchange information about what they had done before being sent to prison. They might even plan crimes with other inmates. Secondly, offenders find it difficult to find other sources of income. In most cases, they are poor, uneducated, and lack the skills required for well-paying jobs. Also, a criminal record does not make it easy to find a job. Not many people are open to hiring an ex-convict. To solve this issue, governments must focus on the rehabilitation of criminals instead of meting out punishment. Above all, prisons should provide vocational training so that the inmates are prepared for life outside the prison. It should teach them vital practical skills such as computer programming, car maintenance, and graphic design. This allows them to find work opportunities based on certain knowledge and skills. Community service is another great alternative to reform offenders. Rather than being locked up in prison with other inmates, offenders can contribute to society and become useful to their local community. These activities also help to eliminate the negative influence that prisons can have. In conclusion, it is true that re-offenders pose an ongoing issue. However, it can be solved by focusing on their rehabilitation rather than punishment. You can check out more of our IELTS band 8 essay samples here. If you follow these tips and practise writing daily, you are sure to do well on your IELTS band 8 essays.
IELTS Writing Task- Step-by-step Guide
Apart from reading our tips and tricks on mastering the IELTS band 8 essays, do follow the advice given below:
Understand the prompt The ideas you present in the IELTS writing test essay must be directly relevant to the question. You must have specific answers and not generalised ones. The examiner must see your coherence in the answers. Ensure you express multiple ideas to support the question. Do not add in any irrelevant information or memorised content.
Address all parts of the questions You will need to answer all the parts of the question for IELTS band 8 essays. You must offer a clear position on all sides to show the examiner you understand the question. If you are asked for a plural, such as advantages, offer at least 2 advantages. It is imperative you do not write the essay in the first person. For example, avoid ‘I think.’ Let us look at some sample exam prompts.
- To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
- Do the disadvantages of tourism outweigh the advantages?
- Why is this so? Give reasons for this and solutions?
1st part: Whether you are for or against the statement and why? 2nd part: Are there more advantages or disadvantages? 3rd part: What is the position, what has contributed to this position, and how can it be resolved?
Logically organise the essay with linking phrases Your ideas should be expressed in a precise order from introduction to conclusion. If asked to offer your views as well as opinions, you must start the essay with your opinion and then explain both views. You can reiterate your opinion before concluding the essay. It is vital that you use adverbial phrases as connectors rather than single basic linkers. Ensure you write separate paragraphs for the introduction, different ideas, and the conclusion. Do not underline anything or give any paragraph subheadings.
Have distinct paragraphs Organise your essay into clear parts by dividing it into paragraphs (space between the two paragraphs should be visible). Each paragraph must reflect a distinct idea and should be at least 2 sentences in length. Consider using the ‘PEEL’ method while writing the essay, that is: Point – introduce your topic Example – a supporting example Explain – how does this evidence support your opinion Link – transition to the next idea You should ideally have multiple paragraphs to demonstrate your ability to structure your ideas and thoughts. Let’s look at some relevant examples:
- Do the disadvantages of tourism outweigh the advantages?
- Why is this so? Give reasons for this and solutions?
4 paragraphs: Introduction, Advantages, Disadvantages, Conclusion 5 paragraphs: Introduction, Reason for the situation, Second reason, Solutions, Conclusion
Use appropriate vocabulary and correct spellings Your vocabulary should have some common words, that is, everyday words and phrases. Also, use uncommon terms such as idiomatic language. But use idioms only if you are familiar with the meaning and they fit the topic. Be careful in your choice of synonyms, as it must not change the idea you are representing. For example, there is little difference between a teenager and an adolescent. However, there is a huge difference between a toddler and a baby. Do not use contractions (can’t, don’t, won’t), and ensure all your spellings are correct.
Avoid memorised content or examples There are certain phrases and words you should avoid as it does nothing to demonstrate your writing ability. Examples of cliche writing include phrases like:
- Old is gold
- Love is blind
- The grass is greener on the other side
Use complex sentence structures You must be able to demonstrate to the examiner that you can use different sentence structures. Use both simple and complex sentences. However, it should not be too long and convoluted. You must have a wide grammatical range and perfect punctuation; use capitalisation, commas, and full stops appropriately.
Follow this checklist Here is a checklist to ensure that your essay possesses all the necessary elements to guarantee a band 8.
- Did you answer every part of the question appropriately?
- Do all your ideas support the question?
- Is your grammar correct?
- Can the examiner follow your ideas easily, from the start to the end?
- Is there a clear introduction and conclusion?
- Did you use appropriate vocabulary and avoid cliches?
- Did you fix spelling mistakes?
- Did you use the correct form of the word (adverbs, nouns, adjectives, and verbs)?
- Did you use simple and complex sentence structures?
- Did you punctuate correctly?
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the IELTS writing task hard?
If you fully understand the test format and can organise your thoughts into grammatically correct and well-structured sentences, IELTS writing can be easy. Ensure you practice enough before the test.
2. What are the most common IELTS writing topics?
Some of the most common writing topics include health, environment, art, home, daily routine, etc. They are generally easy topics to write about.
3. What’s the difference between the General Training Writing module and the Academic Writing module?
The General Training version of IELTS requires a letter in Task 1. In the Academic version, Task 1 asks for a report on a diagram. In both versions, Task 2 requires a discursive essay.
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