What common mistakes lower scores in IELTS Writing Task 2?
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4 Answers
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When I reviewed past essays, I found repeating the same sentence structures cost me coherence points, so I mix simple and complex sentences. I also used to ignore question words like discuss or agree, which led to off-topic paragraphs. Now I underline the prompt, write a thesis, and map ideas before writing. Time pressure made me skip checking vocabulary, so I save three minutes at the end to polish word choice and fix obvious grammar slips.
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My biggest mistake was treating Task 2 like a freewriting session. I once wrote a 300-word essay with no clear position, thinking more words meant better scores. The feedback said my arguments were vague and some paragraphs had multiple ideas. After that I started planning explicitly, placing a thesis after the introduction, and limiting myself to two or three supporting points with examples. Another issue was not linking ideas, so I practiced using phrases like in contrast or this shows that. That practice helped me stay on topic, keep cohesion smooth, and show examiners I understood the question.
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Failing to answer the question directly and skipping planning usually cuts scores, so always map your thesis and examples first.
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I lost marks when I rushed into writing without planning, so now I spend five minutes outlining. Also weaving in examples too quickly made my arguments messy, so I slowed down to explain each point fully.
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