Band 9 Writing Task 2 Samples: What Examiners Actually Want
Study real Band 9 IELTS Writing Task 2 examples with detailed analysis of what makes them score top marks across all four assessment criteria.
Band 9 is rare — fewer than 1% of test-takers achieve it. But studying top-band essays reveals repeatable patterns you can adopt right now.
What the Four Criteria Actually Measure
| Criterion | What Examiners Look For | Band 9 Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Task Response | Direct answer + fully developed position | Complete, precise position; all parts addressed |
| Coherence & Cohesion | Flow between ideas; paragraphing | Seamlessly sequenced; varied cohesive devices |
| Lexical Resource | Range and accuracy of vocabulary | Natural idiomatic use; precise collocations |
| Grammatical Range | Variety and accuracy of structures | Error-free; wide range including complex forms |
Band 9 Example: Opinion Essay
Prompt: "Some people believe governments should invest in public transport rather than building new roads. To what extent do you agree?"
Introduction (Band 9)
"Urban mobility is a pressing policy challenge, and there is growing debate over whether public funds should prioritise mass transit or road expansion. I firmly believe that investment in public transport is the more rational and equitable choice for most cities, though road improvements may remain necessary in specific rural contexts."
Why This Introduction Scores Band 9
- Paraphrases the prompt using different vocabulary ("urban mobility", "mass transit", "road expansion")
- States a clear, precise position immediately
- Acknowledges nuance without hedging the main argument
- Uses a complex sentence with a concessive clause
Body Paragraph: Coherence Breakdown
"Public transport serves far more commuters per unit of road space than private vehicles, which directly eases congestion. A single metro line, for instance, can replace tens of thousands of car journeys daily, reducing both travel times and carbon emissions. Crucially, the benefits compound over time as ridership grows, whereas new roads often induce demand and fill rapidly with additional traffic."
Why This Body Paragraph Scores Band 9
- Topic sentence makes a clear, specific claim
- Concrete evidence (metro line example) supports the claim
- "Crucially" flags the pivotal point; "whereas" introduces a counter-effect
- "Compound over time" and "induce demand" show precise lexical control
- No errors in grammar or punctuation
Common Mistakes That Cost Bands
- Generic introductions that just restate the prompt without a position
- Using "firstly, secondly, thirdly" as the only cohesive devices
- Repeating the same words instead of using synonyms and collocations
- Over-using passive voice to avoid taking a clear stance
- Concluding with "in conclusion, as I have discussed above" — say something new
Vocabulary Patterns in Band 9 Essays
- Use noun phrases over simple nouns: "the affordability of public transport" not "cheap buses"
- Choose precise verbs: "mitigates", "exacerbates", "underpins" over "helps", "makes worse", "supports"
- Vary reporting phrases: "research indicates", "evidence suggests", "data demonstrates"
- Avoid clichés: "in this day and age", "since the dawn of time", "it goes without saying"
How to Use This in Practice
Take one Band 9 essay per week. Read the introduction and body paragraphs separately, then write your own version of the same prompt. Submit it for AI marking to see exactly where your version diverges from top-band performance.