8 things that could lower your IELTS writing score

September 4, 2025June 13, 2019 by Ray IELTS Focus

Things to avoid in IELTS essays.

Updated: September 2025

The essay writing section of IELTS is formal. This is the same for the academic writing task 1 reports, so you must use the right register. You could lose marks in vocabulary or grammar if you are writing informally, using idioms, or using memorised stock phrases.

In IELTS general writing task 1 you will sometimes get an ‘informal’ letter to write, so obviously in that specific case, you will write the letter in an informal register.

You may not lose a band score if you are doing just one of these things below but if you are making a combination of errors then it could be the cause of being stuck at band 6 or 6.5.

IELTS academic writing task 1 maps lesson

June 14, 2024October 12, 2017 by Ray IELTS Focus

How to write about maps in IELTS.

Updated: June 2024

Maps often show up in IELTS academic writing task 1. There are different types of maps and the most common is the past and present (this task below) or sometimes both maps may be in the past. There are also maps which show proposals for the future such as a redevelopment scheme.

You will need to use specific vocabulary in this task and the grammar needed would be the past tense (was /were), the present perfect passive to describe change and prepositions. You also have to use specific language that shows location and change.

IELTS writing task 1: Line graph with a future trend

October 9, 2023May 15, 2017 by Ray IELTS Focus

How to write about IELTS graphs with future trends.

Updated: October 2023

Sometimes in IELTS academic writing task 1, you may be presented with a graph showing a future prediction.

In this case, you need to use the future tense with some specific academic phrases. Let’s have a look at the grammar needed in case you get one of these in the exam. Note that the data in this task is dynamic, which means it changes over time.

IELTS writing task 1: The process of making milk and cheese

April 16, 2024April 17, 2017 by Ray IELTS Focus

Writing task 1 IELTS academic process diagram.

Updated: April 2024

Describing a process in IELTS academic writing task 1 needs specific grammar, such as the passive and sequencers for showing how something is made or processed. In this lesson, I will look at how to use accurate vocabulary and grammar, the correct structure, and a model answer for a diagram showing how milk, cheese, and butter are made for commercial sale.

IELTS writing task 2: How to write a causes solution essay

January 24, 2024March 13, 2017 by Ray IELTS Focus

IELTS problem solution essay

Step by step guide to writing an IELTS causes solution essay.

Updated: January 2024

A common type of IELTS task 2 essay is a problem solution or causes solution essay. Here you will need to write about the causes of the problem in main body one and recommendations or possible solutions that could solve the issue in main body two. I could have a 3rd body paragraph but I prefer the 2 main body approach.