IELTS Writing Clinic — Practise & Self-Assess
Reading about writing only gets you so far. Write a real answer under a real prompt, get an instant estimate of your band across all four criteria, then use the checklist to push it higher. Do this a dozen times and your score moves.
What you'll be able to do
- Write full answers under exam-style prompts
- Get an instant estimate of your band across the four criteria
- Diagnose which criterion is holding your band down
- Apply a concrete checklist to raise each criterion
The estimator below is a self-assessment aid, not an examiner. It measures the things a computer reliably can — length, paragraphing, the range of linking words, vocabulary variety and sentence structure — and turns them into an approximate band for each criterion. It cannot judge whether your ideas are relevant or your facts are right, so read its note honestly. Used as a training habit, it's one of the fastest ways to see your own patterns.
How to use it
Pick a prompt below. Set a timer — 20 minutes for Task 1, 40 for Task 2. Write without a dictionary, then paste your answer in and estimate your band. Look at the lowest criterion first: that's where your next mark is hiding.
Practice prompts
Task 2 — essay (250+ words)
- Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programmes. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- In many countries, the amount of crime committed by teenagers is increasing. Discuss the causes of this problem and suggest some solutions.
- Some think governments should spend money on public services rather than the arts. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Task 1 (Academic) — report (150+ words)
- The chart below shows the percentage of households with internet access in three countries between 2000 and 2020. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Task 1 (General Training) — letter (150+ words)
- You recently stayed at a hotel and were unhappy with the service. Write a letter to the hotel manager. In your letter: explain why you were staying at the hotel, describe the problems, and say what you would like the manager to do.
Write and estimate your band
What's working
How to push the band up
The band-up checklist
Once you have your estimate, use the matching section below to raise the criterion that scored lowest.
Task Response — did you answer the whole question?
- Underline every part of the prompt and check each one appears in your answer.
- State a clear position in the introduction and keep it consistent to the conclusion.
- Develop each idea: claim → explanation → example. Two developed ideas beat five thin ones.
- Never go under the word count.
Coherence & Cohesion — can the reader follow you?
- One central idea per paragraph, signalled in the first sentence.
- Use a range of linkers (however, as a result, in contrast, moreover) — but don't start every sentence with one.
- Use reference words (this, such, these) to connect ideas without repeating nouns.
Lexical Resource — is your vocabulary varied and precise?
- Paraphrase the prompt in your introduction instead of copying it.
- Replace vague words (good, bad, big, a lot) with precise ones (beneficial, detrimental, substantial, considerable).
- Use topic vocabulary, but only words you can spell and use correctly — accuracy beats showing off.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy — variety with control
- Mix simple, compound and complex sentences. Add relative clauses (which, who, that) and conditionals (if…).
- Then simplify anything you can't keep accurate — a correct simple sentence scores better than a broken complex one.
- Proofread for your personal repeat offenders: articles (a/the), subject–verb agreement, plurals, and tense.
A word of honesty
No automated tool can give you an official IELTS band — only a trained examiner can. Use this to build habits and spot patterns, and where you can, get a teacher or a strong writer to mark a few of your essays against the real descriptors. Combine both and your writing improves fast.
Frequently asked questions
Can this tool give me my real IELTS Writing band?
No. It estimates a band from measurable features like length, paragraphing, linking words and vocabulary variety. Only a trained examiner can judge your ideas and relevance and give an official band. Use it to build habits, not as a guaranteed score.
How many practice essays should I write?
Consistency matters more than volume. Two or three timed essays a week, each reviewed carefully against the four criteria, will move your band faster than writing many essays you never analyse.
Should I practise on paper or on screen?
Practise in the same format as your test. If you're taking the paper-based test, handwrite so you know your word-count-per-line; if computer-based, type. Either way, the four criteria are identical.