Many IELTS candidates believe they lose marks because:
- Their ideas are not “intelligent” enough
- Their examples are not impressive
- They don’t have academic knowledge
That is almost never the real issue.
IELTS is NOT a knowledge test.
In Task 2, you are not graded on how “smart” your opinion is.
You are graded on how well you develop and support it.
According to the official criteria, Task Response assesses:
- How fully you respond to the task
- How adequately your main ideas are extended and supported
- How relevant your ideas are
- How clearly you establish and maintain a position
Nothing about brilliance.
Nothing about originality.
Nothing about “deep philosophy.”
The Real Problem: Weak Development
Band 6 essays often look like this:
Introduction
States an opinion.
Body Paragraph 1
Main idea stated.
One short explanation.
Vague example.
Body Paragraph 2
Another idea stated.
Minimal support.
Conclusion
Restates opinion.
On the surface, everything is there.
But the ideas are thin.
Band 7 requires that main ideas are adequately extended and supported .
That word “adequately” is where most candidates fail.
What “Adequately Developed” Actually Means
A developed paragraph usually includes:
- A clear topic sentence
- Explanation of the claim
- Logical reasoning
- A specific example
- A link back to the main argument
Most Band 6 essays stop at step 2.
They state and lightly explain.
They do not deepen.
Example: Band 6 vs Band 7 Development
Question:
Some people think universities should focus on practical skills rather than academic subjects. To what extent do you agree?
Band 6 Body Paragraph (Typical)
Universities should focus on practical skills because students need jobs after graduation. Many graduates cannot find employment, so practical skills are important. For example, students who study engineering can get good jobs.
Clear idea.
But how many sentences?
Very few.
Which means the idea is underdeveloped.
Band 7 Body Paragraph (Stronger Development)
Universities should prioritise practical skills because employability is the primary concern for most graduates. In competitive labour markets, employers increasingly favour candidates who can demonstrate applied competence rather than purely theoretical knowledge. For instance, engineering students who complete industry placements often transition directly into full-time roles, whereas those without hands-on experience may struggle despite strong academic records. Therefore, integrating practical training into university programmes directly improves career outcomes.
Notice what changed.
Not the idea.
Not just the number of sentences.
The depth.
More sentences = more chances to flex your grammar, vocabulary AND develop your argument.
Another Common Issue: Not Fully Addressing the Question
Task Response also measures how fully you respond to the task.
Band 6 problems often include:
- Ignoring part of a two-part question
- Discussing advantages but not disadvantages
- Giving opinion without clear extent (“to what extent”)
- Writing generally about the topic instead of the exact prompt
This is not an “idea problem.”
It is a task interpretation problem.
The Position Problem
Band 7 requires a clear, consistent position.
Many candidates:
- Change position halfway through
- Use weak language (“I somewhat agree in some cases”)
- Avoid commitment
Be clear.
You do not need a complex opinion.
You need a stable one.
The Myth of “High-Level Ideas”
You can score Band 7 with:
- Simple logic
- Everyday examples
- Personal experience
As long as you:
- Stay relevant
- Extend your reasoning
- Support claims clearly
The scoring criteria reward structure and development — not intellectual sophistication .
How to Diagnose Yourself
After writing a paragraph, ask:
- Did I explain why this is true?
- Did I explain how it works?
- Did I show consequences?
- Did I provide a specific example?
If your paragraph is under 90–100 words, it is usually underdeveloped.
If your example is only one sentence, it is usually too thin.
***It’s best to train yourself to write DOUBLE the word count, as that will give you more chances to demonstrate your lexical resource (ie, vocabulary) and your grammatical range (ie, your sentences structures).
The Real Upgrade from 6 to 7
Band 6:
- Clear position
- Relevant ideas
- Limited extension
Band 7:
- Clear position
- Fully developed ideas
- Logical, specific support
The difference is not intelligence.
It is depth and control.
Final Truth
Your ideas are probably fine.
Your development is probably weak.
Fix the structure.
Fix the extension.
Fix the clarity of position.
That is how you move from Band 6 to Band 7.