Preparing for IELTS can feel a bit overwhelming. Especially when students find themselves caught between tricky task types, tight time limits, word count pressure and vague, unhelpful feedback from generic coaching institutes. Many students find the IELTS writing task more difficult than the other tasks. And it’s easy to feel lost in a sea of advice, much of it conflicting or unclear. As a result, many test-takers fall into the trap of repeating the same common and avoidable mistakes, which ultimately causes their progress to stall. If you’re aiming for a band 7 or higher, recognising what not to do becomes just as crucial as mastering what you should do. Clear strategies, targeted practice and a deeper understanding of the examiner’s expectations can make all the difference in moving past that plateau.
Understanding what not to do in both IELTS writing task 1 and IELTS writing task 2 is just as crucial as mastering the correct techniques. Enrolling in a structured IELTS writing course or exploring the best IELTS online course options can make a significant difference.
Table Of Contents
- Understanding the IELTS writing task
- The Most Common Mistakes in IELTS Tasks 1 & 2
- How to avoid these mistakes
- How to Practice to Improve Your IELTS Writing?
- Final thoughts
- FAQs
Understanding The IELTS Writing Task
There are two tasks in the Writing test. And it varies slightly for General IELTS and Academic IELTS.
Task 1: Academic vs General Training
Academic:
You’ll be asked to describe visual information such as charts, graphs, tables, maps or processes. Your response should be factual, clearly organised and use an objective tone. Avoid personal opinions and focus on comparisons and significant trends.
General Training:
Instead of describing visuals, you’ll write a letter — formal, semi-formal or informal. These tasks might ask you to make a complaint, give advice or provide information. Knowing the appropriate tone and structure is critical.
Examples:
- Academic: Summarise a line graph showing energy usage over a decade.
- General: Write a letter to a neighbour apologising for noise from your flat.
Task 2: Essay Writing for Both Modules
Task 2 is the same for both Academic and General modules. You’ll write an essay responding to a prompt — usually asking for your opinion, discussion of an issue, or analysis of a problem.
Types of questions include:
- Opinion (agree/disagree)
- Discussion (both views + your opinion)
- Advantages/disadvantages
- Problem-solution
- Double question (two-part essay)
Key Requirements:
- Clear structure (Introduction, Body, Conclusion)
- Logical progression of ideas
- Task fulfilment
- Range of vocabulary and grammar
Practising with high-quality IELTS material and enrolling in a comprehensive IELTS writing course can help you develop both styles effectively.
The Most Common Mistakes In IELTS Task 1 & 2
Here are some of the mistakes that students make and which cost students their dream band scores:
Task 1 Mistakes:
- Misinterpreting Data: Students often describe the graph inaccurately.
- No Overview: Missing a clear summary can drop your band score drastically.
- Overuse of Numbers: Listing every percentage without analysis isn’t helpful.
- Incorrect Tone in Letters (General Training): Writing formally in an informal context or vice versa.
Task 2 Mistakes:
- Misunderstanding the Question: Not addressing all parts of the task.
- Poor Structure: No clear introduction, body or conclusion.
- Repetition & Wordiness: Using the same ideas or phrases repeatedly.
- Weak Arguments: Ideas not developed logically or backed by examples.
How To Avoid These Mistakes
Read the Prompt Carefully
This sounds obvious, but it’s the most overlooked step in the entire exam.
Here’s what you need to do about do :
- Underline key task words: Are you being asked to discuss both views? Give your opinion? Explain causes and solutions?
- Look for hidden sub-questions. For example:
“Some people think advertising encourages us to buy things we do not need. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”
→ This is asking for more than just your opinion. It expects an analysis of how advertising influences behaviour.
Paraphrase the question in your own words before writing. It will help your brain process what the question is asking.
Plan Before You Write
Many students skip this step thinking they’ll save time. Ironically, it ends up costing them both clarity and marks.
🧭 Task 1 (Academic):
- Identify key trends: Is there a sharp rise? A sudden drop? A comparison worth highlighting?
- Don’t describe everything. Focus on what stands out.
✉️ Task 1 (General):
- Think about the tone (formal/informal).
- Plan 3–4 bullet points to structure your letter (e.g. Why you’re writing, background info, your request, polite ending).
🧱 Task 2:
- Choose a clear position (agree/disagree or balanced).
- Write down:
- Two strong main points
- One example for each
- Any counterarguments or clarifications
- Two strong main points
Use the PEEL method:
- Point – Start the paragraph with your main idea
- Explain – Why is it relevant?
- Example – Realistic or hypothetical, but specific
- Link – Tie it back to the task
Give yourself 4–5 minutes to plan. It may feel like lost time, but it saves you from halfway panic when you don’t know what to write next.
Master Cohesion and Coherence
Linking words are like road signs. But if every sentence starts with However, Moreover, or On the other hand, it feels robotic.
Examiner’s look for the following things when they asses your writing task :
- Logical progression of ideas
- Paragraphs that build on each other, not just stand-alone statements
- Varied linking devices, not overused ones
Here’s an example :
❌ I agree with the statement. Moreover, I think it is true. Furthermore, this shows…
✅ I agree with the statement because it reflects modern realities. For instance, advertisements often target emotional responses, which leads consumers to buy impulsively.
Useful linking phrases by purpose:
| Function | Examples |
| Adding ideas | Furthermore, In addition, Also |
| Giving examples | For example, For instance |
| Contrasting ideas | However, On the other hand |
| Explaining results | Therefore, As a result |
Expand Vocabulary, Not Just Word Count
Use a wide range of academic vocabulary, but avoid over-complication. Tools like the IELTS writing course can help here.
Develop Ideas With Clear, Relevant Examples
Get your writing checked. There are various platforms which offer real-time feedback that coaching centres often miss.
Examiners want to see depth of thought, not surface-level opinions.
What students often do is they write general sentences like :
“Education is important and helps people succeed.”
This says nothing new.
A better approach would be :
“Education plays a crucial role in upward mobility. For instance, a student from a low-income background who receives a government-funded scholarship is more likely to secure a high-paying job, breaking the poverty cycle.”
Expand Vocabulary the Smart Way
A wide range of vocabulary is great — but only if used correctly. Trying to sound “fancy” with words you don’t fully understand often leads to awkward phrasing.
For example: “The government should amputate strict laws to reduce crime.”
(They meant “implement” — ouch.)
Here’s what works!
Learn topic-based word groups:
- Education: curriculum, critical thinking, enrolment
- Environment: emissions, conservation, sustainable practices
- Technology: automation, digital divide, innovation
Practise collocations — natural pairings like:
- “Take responsibility”
- “Reach a consensus”
- “Raise awareness”
Avoid overusing words like very, really, thing, good, bad. These weaken your expression.
How to Practice to Improve Your IELTS Writing?
An effective IELTS writing course should go beyond just showing you sample essays or filling your time with lectures. A truly impactful preparation system includes focused practice, targeted feedback and a clear understanding of what the exam requires.
Practice Tasks with Model Answers
Engaging with authentic practice prompts that mirror real exam questions is essential. The tasks provided by platforms include detailed model answers that show how to approach different question types in both IELTS writing task 1 and IELTS writing task 2. These samples demonstrate effective structure, coherence and vocabulary offering a clear benchmark of what high-band responses look like. Analysing such examples helps learners understand the difference between average and excellent writing.
Grammar and Structure Tips
One of the most common reasons candidates score lower in writing is due to avoidable grammar and sentence structure mistakes. With the help of focused grammar resources, students can target specific problem areas such as tense consistency, sentence variety, punctuation and connector usage. These grammar and structure tips are designed to improve both clarity and fluency, ensuring your writing aligns with examiner expectations.
Writing Band Descriptor Charts
To improve your writing strategically, you must first understand what examiners are looking for. The band descriptor charts, break down the IELTS scoring into four key categories:
Task Achievement/Response
Coherence and Cohesion
Lexical Resource
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
By referring to these descriptors, you can self-assess your work more effectively and focus your improvements on the criteria that matter most. This is a level of clarity often missing in traditional coaching environments.
Timed Practice Tests
Simulating real exam conditions is crucial. The timed practice tests offered by Oops Study help students get comfortable with the pressure of finishing both tasks within strict time limits 20 minutes for task 1 and 40 minutes for task 2. These exercises train your brain to plan, write and revise efficiently, which is key to performing well on the actual exam.
Bonus Tip: For learners deciding between conventional coaching and a more modern, self-paced approach, we highly recommend reading the insightful blog- Learning IELTS on Oops Study vs Coaching Institutes.
Final Thought
The IELTS writing task can seem overwhelming at first, especially with time pressure, unfamiliar question types and strict evaluation criteria. But with the right structure, clear understanding of task requirements and consistent practice, it becomes not only manageable but even enjoyable. Many candidates struggle because they repeat common mistakes, such as misinterpreting the question, overusing complex vocabulary or failing to organise their ideas logically. The key to improvement lies in focused practice, learning from high-quality model answers and simulating real exam conditions. If you’ve been stuck with disappointing results and unhelpful coaching classes, it might be time to explore a smarter, more effective approach to preparation.
FAQs
1.How can I improve my IELTS writing score quickly?
Focus on planning, grammar accuracy and getting regular feedback. Use resources that are reliable and effective for better improvement.
2.What are the best ways to expand vocabulary for IELTS writing?
Read model essays, note useful phrases and use synonyms effectively. Our IELTS material includes vocabulary lists sorted by task type and topic.
3.Is handwriting important in the paper-based IELTS exam?
Yes, legibility matters. If examiners can’t read your handwriting, they can’t mark your work. Practise writing clearly under timed conditions.
4.What’s the best way to practise IELTS Writing at home?
Set a timer, pick real IELTS prompts and write under exam conditions. Then, get your answers reviewed. You can also refer to some of the best IELTS online courses , with expert feedback and band score estimations.
