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Band 9 model answers, plain-English guides, and free practice that grades itself against the official IELTS band descriptors.
Band 9 model answers
IELTS Writing Task 2 — Environment: a Band 9 sample answer
A Band 9 IELTS Writing Task 2 model answer on whether individuals can solve environmental problems, with a full examiner breakdown and vocabulary.
IELTS Writing Task 2 — Social Media: a Band 9 sample answer
A Band 9 IELTS Writing Task 2 advantages-and-disadvantages model answer on social media, with an examiner breakdown and reusable vocabulary.
IELTS Writing Task 2 — Compulsory Community Service in Schools: a Band 9 sample answer
A Band 9 IELTS Writing Task 2 sample on making community service compulsory in schools, with examiner analysis, vocabulary and FAQs.
IELTS Writing Task 2 — AI and Human Teachers: a Band 9 sample answer
A Band 9 IELTS Writing Task 2 sample discussing whether AI will replace teachers, with full examiner analysis, vocabulary and FAQs.
IELTS Writing Task 2 — Rising Obesity Rates: a Band 9 sample answer
A Band 9 IELTS Writing Task 2 sample on the causes of and solutions to rising obesity, with examiner analysis, vocabulary and FAQs.
IELTS Writing Task 2 — Crime and Justice: a Band 9 sample answer
A Band 9 sample answer on crime and justice, with examiner analysis, vocabulary and FAQs for IELTS Writing Task 2.
IELTS Writing Task 2 — Work and Careers: a Band 9 sample answer
A Band 9 sample answer on work and careers (remote working), with examiner analysis, vocabulary and FAQs for IELTS Writing Task 2.
IELTS Writing Task 2 — Globalisation and Culture: a Band 9 sample answer
A Band 9 sample answer on globalisation and culture, with examiner analysis, vocabulary and FAQs for IELTS Writing Task 2.
IELTS Writing Task 2 — Tourism and Travel: a Band 9 sample answer
A Band 9 IELTS Writing Task 2 sample on tourism and travel, with examiner analysis, vocabulary and study tips.
IELTS Writing Task 2 — Government and Public Spending: a Band 9 sample answer
A Band 9 IELTS Writing Task 2 sample on government and public spending, with examiner notes, vocabulary and tips.
IELTS Writing Task 2 — Advertising and Consumerism: a Band 9 sample answer
A Band 9 IELTS Writing Task 2 sample on advertising and consumerism, with examiner analysis, vocabulary and tips.
IELTS Writing Task 2 — Family and Society: a Band 9 sample answer
A Band 9 sample answer on family and society, with examiner analysis, vocabulary and FAQs to help you raise your IELTS Writing Task 2 score.
IELTS Writing Task 2 — Cities and Urbanisation: a Band 9 sample answer
A Band 9 sample answer on cities and urbanisation, with examiner notes, key vocabulary and FAQs to boost your IELTS Writing Task 2 score.
IELTS Writing Task 2 — Sport and Health: a Band 9 sample answer
A Band 9 sample answer on sport and health, with examiner analysis, useful vocabulary and FAQs to improve your IELTS Writing Task 2 writing.
IELTS Academic Task 1 — Line Graph: a Band 9 sample answer
A Band 9 IELTS Academic Task 1 model answer describing a line graph of international visitor numbers, with an examiner breakdown and the trend language you can reuse.
IELTS General Training Task 1 — Formal Letter: a Band 9 sample
A Band 9 IELTS General Training Task 1 formal complaint letter, with an examiner breakdown of tone, structure and the phrases you can reuse.
Guides
How IELTS Writing is scored: the band descriptors explained
Understand exactly how IELTS Writing is marked — the four band descriptors, how your overall Writing band is calculated, and how to gain half a band fast.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: How to Handle the Cue Card
Use your 1-minute prep wisely, structure the 2-minute talk, and keep going. A teacher's clear method for the IELTS long turn.
True / False / Not Given: Telling False from Not Given
The question type students fear most, made simple. A clear decision method for separating False from Not Given in IELTS Reading.
Academic vs General Training: Which IELTS Do You Need?
Which IELTS test do you need? A clear, section-by-section comparison of Academic and General Training so you book the right one.
How to Improve Your IELTS Listening Score
Beat the common traps: distractors, spelling and plurals. A practical, repeatable practice routine to push your IELTS Listening band higher.
How to Describe a Graph or Chart in Writing Task 1
Learn a simple 4-step way to describe an IELTS graph or chart: overview first, group the data, pick key features, write ~150 words.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: Common Topics and How to Answer
Learn the common Speaking Part 1 topics — home, work, study, hobbies — and how to extend your answers and sound natural.
IELTS Reading: How to Match Headings to Paragraphs
A simple, step-by-step method for IELTS Matching Headings: read for the main idea, match carefully and avoid common traps.
How to Manage Your Time in the IELTS Exam
Know how long to spend on each IELTS section and task, plus what to do if you are running out of time.
IELTS Linking Words and Cohesive Devices
Learn how to use linking words in IELTS Writing and Speaking the natural way. A clear guide to cohesive devices for Band 7 and above, with examples and common mistakes.
How to Paraphrase for IELTS
Paraphrasing is a core IELTS skill. Learn simple, reliable ways to reword ideas for Writing and Speaking, with examples and the traps to avoid.
Grammar for IELTS: Building Range and Accuracy
Grammatical Range and Accuracy is a quarter of your Writing and Speaking score. Learn which structures examiners reward and how to use them without mistakes.
IELTS Writing Task 2: Opinion Essays
A clear structure for IELTS opinion essays. Learn how to spot an agree or disagree question, plan your view and write a strong Band 7+ answer.
IELTS Writing Task 2: Discuss Both Views
How to write a discuss both views and give your opinion essay. A clear structure so you cover both sides fairly and still make your view clear.
IELTS Writing Task 2: Problem and Solution
How to write a problem and solution essay for IELTS, including cause and effect questions. A clear structure that links each problem to a real solution.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: Discussion Questions
Part 3 asks deeper, more abstract questions. Learn how to extend your answers, give reasons and examples, and handle questions you have not thought about.
IELTS Speaking: Fluency and Coherence
Fluency and Coherence is a quarter of your Speaking score. Learn what it really means, how to speak smoothly, and how to handle pauses and hesitation.
IELTS Academic Task 1: Describing a Process Diagram
A clear method for process diagram questions in IELTS Academic Task 1. Learn how to structure your answer, use the passive and sequencing language, and avoid common mistakes.
IELTS Academic Task 1: Describing Maps
How to describe maps in IELTS Academic Task 1, including maps that show change over time. Learn the structure, location language and the right tenses.
Yes, No, Not Given in IELTS Reading
A clear method for Yes No Not Given questions in IELTS Reading, and how they differ from True False Not Given. Learn to test the writer's claims and avoid traps.
IELTS Reading: Sentence and Summary Completion
How to answer sentence completion and summary completion questions in IELTS Reading. Learn to predict the word type, respect the word limit and copy exactly.
IELTS General Training Task 1: How to Write a Letter
A complete guide to IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 letters. Learn the three letter types, the right tone, structure and openings and closings.
IELTS Band Scores Explained
How IELTS band scores work, from 0 to 9. Learn how the four sections combine into your overall band, how rounding works, and what each band means.
Computer vs Paper IELTS in 2026
IELTS is now computer-delivered worldwide after paper tests were phased out in 2026. Learn what changed, what the computer test is like, and the Writing on Paper option.
How to Prepare for IELTS in 4 Weeks
A practical four-week IELTS study plan. Learn how to assess your level, balance the four skills, and practise under timed conditions before test day.
Describe a Person Who Has Influenced You — Cue Card
A Band 9 sample answer for the IELTS cue card "Describe a person who has influenced you", with the long-turn structure, Part 3 follow-up questions and useful language.
Describe a Place You Have Visited — Cue Card
A Band 9 sample answer for the IELTS cue card "Describe a place you have visited", with structure, Part 3 questions and vocabulary for describing places.
Describe a Piece of Technology — Cue Card
A Band 9 sample answer for the IELTS cue card about technology, with structure, Part 3 discussion questions and useful vocabulary for talking about gadgets.
Describe a Book You Have Read — Cue Card
A Band 9 sample answer for the IELTS cue card "Describe a book you have read", with structure, Part 3 questions about reading and useful vocabulary.
How Many Times Can You Take IELTS?
How many times you can take IELTS, the rules on retakes and fees, and how the One Skill Retake lets you resit just one section instead of the whole test.
How Long Is IELTS Valid?
IELTS results are valid for two years in most cases, with some exceptions. Learn how the validity period works, why it exists, and when it can be longer.
Is Band 7 a Good IELTS Score?
Is Band 7 a good IELTS score? Learn what Band 7 means, the scores universities and visas typically ask for, and why the right score depends on your goal.
IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE
A clear comparison of IELTS, TOEFL and PTE in 2026: format, scoring, acceptance and who each test suits, so you can choose the right English test for your goal.
IELTS Collocations That Lift Your Band
A practical list of IELTS collocations for writing and speaking, grouped by topic, with tips on using natural word pairings to raise your lexical resource score.
IELTS Idioms for Speaking
A short list of natural idioms for IELTS Speaking, with meanings and examples, plus advice on using them the right way to boost your band without sounding forced.
7 Writing Task 2 Mistakes Stopping You From Band 7
The most common IELTS Writing Task 2 mistakes that keep learners stuck below Band 7, and simple, practical fixes for each one.
IELTS Reading: Matching Information
How to answer IELTS Reading matching information questions, where you find which paragraph contains a specific detail. Learn the scanning method and avoid the traps.
IELTS Listening: Map and Plan Labelling
How to answer map, plan and diagram labelling questions in IELTS Listening. Learn to orient yourself, follow directions and use the pause before the audio.
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