Task Achievement is one of the four official marking criteria used by IELTS examiners to assess your Writing Task 1 response. In the General Training version, Task 1 requires test takers to write a letter\u2014either informal, semi-formal, or formal\u2014based on a given situation.<\/span><\/p>\n In this context, Task Achievement measures how well you:<\/span><\/p>\n Failing to meet the expectations in any of these areas can result in a lower band score, even if your grammar or vocabulary is strong.<\/span><\/p>\n To achieve a high band score for Task Achievement, you must meet all of the following requirements:<\/span><\/p>\n Each Task 1 prompt includes three bullet points that form the foundation of your letter. These must be clearly and fully addressed in your writing.<\/span><\/p>\n Let\u2019s take the example task:<\/span><\/p>\n You are planning to visit a friend who lives in another country during your holiday.<\/span><\/p>\n Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:<\/b><\/p>\n A complete response would include:<\/span><\/p>\n If even one bullet point is missed or not developed with enough detail, your score for Task Achievement will be limited. It\u2019s not enough to merely mention a topic\u2014you need to expand on each point with relevant detail and personalization.<\/span><\/p>\n Many candidates lose marks because their letters are too vague. For example, simply saying, \u201cI want to visit you\u201d and \u201cWe can hang out\u201d is far too general. To score well, you need to be specific and personal.<\/span><\/p>\n Here\u2019s a weak example:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI have a holiday coming soon and I will visit you. I want to do some things with you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Here\u2019s a stronger, fully developed alternative:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI finally have some time off in June and thought it would be the perfect opportunity to visit you in Sydney. I was thinking of flying out around the 12th and staying for a week if that works for you. We could spend a day in the Blue Mountains like we talked about last year, and I\u2019d also love to relax at Bondi Beach.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n This example not only addresses the bullet points but also gives context, personal memories, and detailed plans, showing the examiner that the writer fully understands and engages with the task.<\/span><\/p>\n In informal letters (such as to a friend), the tone should be warm, personal, and natural. It\u2019s important to avoid both overly formal language (which can sound stiff or distant) and overly casual or slang-heavy expressions (which can appear inappropriate or careless).<\/span><\/p>\n Appropriate informal features include:<\/span><\/p>\n Inappropriate tone example:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI am writing to inform you of my upcoming travel schedule. Please confirm your availability at your earliest convenience.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n This is too formal for a friend and would likely be penalized in Task Achievement due to incorrect tone.<\/span><\/p>\n Appropriate tone example:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been meaning to plan a visit for ages, and now that I finally have time off, I thought it\u2019d be great to come and see you. What do you think?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The second example feels natural, relaxed, and friendly\u2014just like a real letter to a friend would be.<\/span><\/p>\n Even though organization is also assessed under Coherence and Cohesion (discussed in Part 2), Task Achievement considers logical structure within the format of a letter.<\/span><\/p>\n The standard structure of an informal letter should follow this rough outline:<\/span><\/p>\n Avoid mixing multiple bullet points into a single paragraph, especially if it makes the content confusing or rushed. A clear structure makes your ideas easier to follow and helps the examiner see that you\u2019ve fulfilled the task.<\/span><\/p>\n The minimum word count for Task 1 is 150 words. If you write fewer than this, you will automatically lose marks in Task Achievement, regardless of how well-written your letter is.<\/span><\/p>\n There is no maximum word limit, but writing too much can make your letter feel unfocused or repetitive. Most strong responses fall between 160 and 200 words.<\/span><\/p>\n Candidates who score Band 5 or below often make one or more of the following mistakes:<\/span><\/p>\n For instance, a Band 5 response to the holiday letter might look like this:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI have some time off and I want to visit you. Let\u2019s do something fun. Do you need anything?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n This version:<\/span><\/p>\n A Band 8 or 9 response would be:<\/span><\/p>\n Here\u2019s a strong closing paragraph example:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBy the way, is there anything from home you’d like me to bring with me? I remember you mentioned missing British chocolate last time we spoke. Let me know if there\u2019s anything else\u2014I\u2019d be happy to pack it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n This not only addresses the bullet point but adds a thoughtful, personal touch that makes the letter feel real.<\/span><\/p>\n In IELTS Writing, Coherence and Cohesion assess how logically and clearly you organise your ideas and how smoothly your writing flows from one point to the next. This criterion is not about what you say, but how you structure and connect your ideas to help the reader follow your letter easily and naturally.<\/span><\/p>\n Coherence refers to how well your ideas make sense together and follow a logical progression. It is the clarity of meaning and the overall flow of the writing.<\/span><\/p>\n Cohesion refers to how well your sentences and paragraphs are linked using appropriate vocabulary and grammatical devices. This includes cohesive devices (linking words), pronouns, conjunctions, and transitional phrases.<\/span><\/p>\n When both coherence and cohesion are strong, your writing is easy to understand, logically organised, and pleasing to read.<\/span><\/p>\n Proper paragraphing is essential to coherence. Each paragraph should contain one main idea or group of closely related ideas. In IELTS General Task 1, a typical informal letter will include around four to five paragraphs, each serving a specific purpose.<\/span><\/p>\n A commonly used paragraph structure for an informal letter:<\/span><\/p>\n You are not required to follow this exact structure, but your letter should have a logical flow from one idea to the next. Each paragraph should begin with a clear topic or transition sentence and should not feel out of place.<\/span><\/p>\n Avoid long, unbroken blocks of text or paragraphs that jump between unrelated ideas.<\/span><\/p>\n Sequencing involves presenting ideas in a clear order that makes sense to the reader. This helps the letter feel well-organised and intentional.<\/span><\/p>\n Let\u2019s consider the example letter again:<\/span><\/p>\n This sequencing mirrors how a real conversation or personal letter would flow: start with a warm opening, explain your news, ask for suggestions or input, and end with kind wishes. Skipping around\u2014such as asking about what to bring before even saying you\u2019re coming\u2014can make the letter feel disorganised.<\/span><\/p>\n Cohesive devices are words or phrases that connect sentences and ideas together. These include conjunctions, linking phrases, and reference words like pronouns.<\/span><\/p>\n Some common types of cohesive devices:<\/span><\/p>\n Here\u2019s a short paragraph using effective cohesion:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI was thinking of flying out around the 12th of June and staying for about a week. Flights seem cheaper midweek, and I have complete flexibility during that period. Let me know if those dates work for you, or if another time would be better.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n In just a few sentences, we see cohesive phrases like \u201cand,\u201d \u201cduring that period,\u201d and \u201cif another time would be better\u201d used to connect and transition smoothly between ideas.<\/span><\/p>\n Avoid using too many of these linking phrases, however, especially at the beginning of every sentence. Overuse can sound mechanical or forced. Good cohesion feels natural, not formulaic.<\/span><\/p>\n Another aspect of cohesion is using reference words and substitution to avoid repetition.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Key Features of Task Achievement<\/b><\/h3>\n
1. Addressing All Bullet Points Fully<\/b><\/h4>\n
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2. Providing Sufficient Detail<\/b><\/h4>\n
3. Using an Appropriate Tone and Register<\/b><\/h4>\n
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4. Organising the Letter Appropriately<\/b><\/h4>\n
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5. Length: Meeting the Minimum Word Count<\/b><\/h4>\n
What Low Scores in Task Achievement Look Like<\/b><\/h3>\n
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What a High Score in Task Achievement Looks Like<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Summary of Task Achievement Band Descriptors<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Coherence and Cohesion in IELTS General Writing Task 1<\/b><\/h2>\n
What Is Coherence and Cohesion?<\/b><\/h3>\n
Key Elements of Coherence and Cohesion<\/b><\/h3>\n
1. Logical Paragraphing<\/b><\/h4>\n
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2. Sequencing of Information<\/b><\/h4>\n
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3. Use of Cohesive Devices<\/b><\/h4>\n
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4. Reference and Substitution<\/b><\/h4>\n