Task Achievement in Writing Task 2 (Simplified)

Are you confused about how to get a high score for Task Achievement in Writing Task 2?

There is a lot of conflicting advice online, and even the official IELTS websites don’t explain this very clearly.

If you don’t already know how to achieve an IELTS band 7, 8 or 9, you’re about to find out.

Gaining high scores for Task Achievement in Writing Task 2.

Contents;

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Overview of Task Achievement in Writing Task 2

In IELTS Writing, the examiner uses four writing criteria, known as bands, to determine what score your answer should get. Task Achievement is one of these four bands.

The other three are Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.

Each of the four bands is worth 25% of your Writing Task 2 score, so knowing how to achieve a high band for each one is essential.

Concerning Task Achievement, to get a high score, you need to answer the Task 2 question directly and then develop that answer.

Task Achievement in Writing Task 2 is worth 25% of your score.

Is Task Achievement in Writing Task 2 really that easy?

Unfortunately, it’s not quite as simple as it sounds.

To get a high score in Task Achievement, you need to answer the question directly, include relevant, specific reasons for your answer and then develop those reasons within the context of the question.

Does that sound complicated?

Don’t worry; it will all be perfectly clear by the end of this lesson.

What Is The Difference Between ‘Task Achievement’ & ‘Task Response’?

There is actually no difference.

‘Task Achievement’ and ‘Task Response’ are simply two different names for this IELTS band.

In this image, you can see that the British Council’s version of the Public Band Descriptors says ‘Task Achievement’, but IELTS.org’s version uses the term ‘Task Response’.

However, you’ll also notice that the descriptions used for each band score are the exact same.

What's the difference between Task Achievement and Task Response?

Description of Bands 1 to 9 for Task Achievement in Writing Task 2

To help you better understand Task Achievement, we will now look at basic descriptions of what each band score represents.

Band 1 Requirements

The IELTS candidate will have written practically nothing on the answer sheet for this score.

Discover the Meaning of IELTS Writing Band Descriptors.

Band 2 Requirements

For band 2, there will be something written on the answer sheet, but the examiner will find it nearly impossible to understand what’s been written.

Band 3 Requirements

Most of the candidate’s writing cannot be understood.

Band 4 Requirements

It seems like the candidate didn’t understand the question.

Band 5 Requirements

The candidate includes a direct answer to the question but doesn’t include any relevant development.

Band 6 Requirements

The candidate includes a direct answer to the question and gives specific, relevant reasons to support this answer.

Band 7 Requirements

The candidate includes a direct answer to the question, gives specific, relevant reasons for the answer and includes some development of those reasons.

However, the development of these reasons must be within the context of the question.

Achieving Band 7 in Task Response.

Band 8 Requirements

The candidate includes a direct answer to the question, gives specific, relevant reasons for the answer and includes more development of those reasons within the context of the question.

Band 9 Requirements

The candidate includes a direct answer to the question, gives specific, relevant reasons for the answer and includes complete development of those reasons within the context of the question.

Why is Task Achievement usually so difficult to understand?

The above descriptions are helpful to understand the basic concept, but, in reality, Task Achievement in Writing Task 2 is slightly more complex.

That is why we will go into more detail throughout the rest of this lesson.

Also, you should be aware that all of this information is public knowledge.

IELTS have published the band descriptors for everyone to look at.

What makes the band descriptors challenging to understand is that IELTS did not write them for IELTS candidates.

The document was written for the IELTS examiners to use, and it’s the high-level academic language that makes it confusing.

Cambridge IELTS have published the IELTS Writing Task 2 Band Descriptors.

To better understand the requirements for each band score, let’s look at some basic examples.

Basic Examples of Task Achievement

To more easily understand the difference between bands 1 to 9, we will step outside the context of the IELTS test for this part of the lesson.

Let’s take the question; ‘What’s your favourite fruit?

This question is obviously nothing like the ones you will find in the IELTS Writing test.

However, looking at something basic like this first will ensure you understand the concept of what is required for each band score.

Basic Understanding of IELTS Writing Task Achievement.

As band scores 1 to 3 are too short or difficult to understand, let’s start with band 4.

Band 4 Answer:

I like apples and bananas.

Why is this Task Response band 4?

A band 4 answer will usually look like the candidate didn’t understand the question. Here the answer doesn’t directly respond to the question by mentioning the favourite fruit and is therefore irrelevant.

Band 5 Answer:

Bananas are my favourite fruit.

Why is this Task Response band 5?

This answer directly responds to the question. Without any reasons for this answer, however, a higher score than band 5 isn’t possible.

Band 6 Answer:

Bananas are my favourite fruit because they’re affordable and easy to peel.

Why is this Task Response band 6?

Now we have a direct answer to the question and reasons that are specific and relevant.

If the reasons weren’t specific, a band score of 6 would not be given. An example of a reason that would be considered too vague would be ‘…because I like them’.

If the reasons weren’t relevant, a band score of 6 would not be given either. An example of an irrelevant reason would be ‘…because they grow on trees.’

Band 7 Answer:

Bananas are my favourite fruit because they’re more affordable than most of the other fruits available. They’re also easy to peel, so I don’t get my hands messy when eating one.

Why is this Task Response band 7?

This answer has all the same elements as the band 6 answer but has also included some development of the reasons.

Band 8 Answer:

Bananas are my favourite fruit because they’re more affordable than most of the other fruits available, especially the imported ones. They’re also easy to peel, so I don’t get my hands messy when eating them. This means that I can eat at my desk without needing to wash my hands afterwards.

Why is this Task Response band 8?

As you can see, to go from a band 7 to a band 8 for Task Achievement, all we needed to do was add some more development for each of the reasons.

Band 9 Answer:

Bananas are my favourite fruit because they’re more affordable than most of the other fruits available, especially the imported ones, which means that I can afford to eat them regularly. They’re also easy to peel, so I don’t get my hands messy when eating them. This means that I can eat at my desk without needing to wash my hands afterwards, and I get more work done as a result.

Why is this Task Response band 9?

Here, we have enough development for IELTS to consider this to be a fully developed answer. 

Important Advice

I’ve seen many IELTS candidates with the false belief that they should write a long answer or just include everything they can think of saying.

I understand why they feel this way. They incorrectly believe that if they just write as much as possible, some of the ideas will be appropriate, and that will mean that they get a high score.

Writing long answers in IELTS Writing Task 2.

This, however, is definitely not the case and this type of unfocused writing results in a low Task Achievement score.

If you want to achieve a high score, you need to be concise and precise by only including information that’s within the context of the Task 2 question and related to the reasons you’ve given for your answer.

To make sure you can do this, let’s look at some examples of Task 2 answers that include common mistakes made by IELTS candidates.

Common Mistakes for Task Achievement in Writing Task 2

Next, we will analyse common mistakes in IELTS Writing Task 2 answers.

By understanding why each paragraph didn’t get a higher score, you will be able to avoid these mistakes and improve your IELTS results.

Analysing Key Mistakes in Task Achievement.

Below is the IELTS Writing Task 2 question that we will be using for this part of the lesson.

IELTS Writing Task 2 question for focus on Task Achievement

Before you continue, it would be a valuable exercise for you to write your own answer to this question first.

By doing this, you will discover your own mistakes more easily and improve your Task Achievement score even further.

Now, look at the body paragraph below, determine why a band 4 is the appropriate Task Achievement score and then read the explanation.

Band 4 – IELTS Writing Task 2 Paragraph:

The internet can be used to do more and more things these days. Internet banking means that money can be transferred from home instead of going to a bank and online shopping means that people can order items to be delivered to their homes instead of driving to a shop. Family and friends can also stay in contact with each other using the internet instead of using phones or letters.

Why Band 4 is an appropriate score for Task Achievement:

It seems like this candidate didn’t understand the question as this paragraph doesn’t include a direct response to what was asked.

The question doesn’t require the candidate to make a list of tasks that we can do on the internet.

The question requires the candidate to say if the increasing number of tasks that can be done on the internet is a positive or negative development. By not doing this, the score won’t be higher than a band 4.

How to improve the Task Achievement score

To improve this paragraph to a band 5 for Task Achievement, let’s just change the first sentence so that it actually includes a direct response to the question.

Band 5 – IELTS Writing Task 2 Paragraph:

It’s positive that more tasks can be completed online. Internet banking means that money can be transferred from home instead of going to a bank and online shopping means that people can order items to be delivered to their homes instead of driving to a shop. Family and friends can also stay in contact with each other using the internet instead of using phones or letters.

Why Band 5 is an appropriate score for Task Achievement:

Now that the body paragraph includes a direct answer to the question, this paragraph can get a band 5 for Task Achievement.

However, the rest of the sentences in this paragraph are still irrelevant.

How to improve the Task Achievement score

To further improve the band score, this answer will need to include a reason for why it’s positive that more tasks can be completed online. Adding a reason in the first sentence will bring this essay up to a band 6. 

Band 6 – IELTS Writing Task 2 Paragraph:

It’s positive that more tasks can be completed online because people don’t need to leave their houses as often as they used to. Internet banking means that money can be transferred from home instead of going to a bank and online shopping means that people can order items to be delivered to their homes instead of driving to a shop. Family and friends can also stay in contact with each other using the internet instead of using phones or letters.

Why Band 6 is an appropriate score for Task Achievement:

Here we see that there is a direct answer and a specific, relevant idea included, so there is enough focus in this paragraph to achieve a band 6.

If the reason given wasn’t relevant and specific, this score would remain at band 5.

The reason why this paragraph wouldn’t get a band 7 is probably the most common of all the mistakes that strong IELTS candidates make in Task Achievement. If you can understand why the rest of this paragraph is irrelevant, you are ready to start getting high scores in your writing.

The candidate who wrote this paragraph is probably very confident that they have done a good job explaining their reason. They have explained why the increasing number of tasks that can be done on the internet means that people don’t have to leave their homes as often.

However, the question has asked if this is a positive or negative development, and the answer must stay within the context of the question.

The candidate has already said that this situation is positive, so the rest of the paragraph must focus on why staying at home is a positive development.

This type of critical thinking doesn’t come naturally to everyone.

If you’re confused about why the second and third sentences in the band 6 paragraph are irrelevant, please spend as much time as you need to establish why it’s not responding directly to the question.

Critical Thinking is necessary for achieving a high Task Achievement score.

Once this concept is clear in your mind, a high Task Achievement score will become very attainable.

Furthermore, this is why it’s so important that you always write an essay plan for Writing Task 2. A plan will help you make sure that all your ideas are relevant, specific and within the context of the question.

Trying to think of ideas while you write is simply too difficult because there are so many things to think about simultaneously.

I also have an idea generation strategy if you need help with this.

How to improve the Task Achievement score

To bring this band 6 paragraph up to a band 7, let’s change the sentence about internet banking and online shopping so that it focuses on why people staying at home more often is a positive development.

Band 7 – IELTS Writing Task 2 Paragraph:

It’s positive that more tasks can be completed online because people don’t need to leave their houses as often as they used to. With internet banking and online shopping, people can stay at home instead of driving their cars to these locations, resulting in less air pollution from all the unnecessary traffic. Family and friends can also stay in contact with each other using the internet instead of using phones or letters.

Why Band 7 is an appropriate score for Task Achievement:

Here we see a direct answer to the question, a reason for that answer and an explanation of that reason. This is what’s required for a band 7.

How to improve the Task Achievement score

To achieve a band 8, we need to adjust the sentence about staying in contact. 

One way is to write that internet calls are cheaper than phone calls. The positive development, in this case, is that people are saving money.

However, I prefer to discuss one topic throughout my body paragraphs. Therefore, I’m going to replace the last sentence with an example.

Band 8 – IELTS Writing Task 2 Paragraph:

It’s positive that more tasks can be completed online because people don’t need to leave their houses as often as they used to. With internet banking and online shopping, people can stay at home instead of driving their cars to these locations, resulting in less air pollution from all the unnecessary traffic. Banks in Ireland, for example, have been reducing the number of staff they employ in each branch because customers prefer to complete transactions online instead of driving to the premises.

Why Band 8 is an appropriate score for Task Achievement:

This paragraph has a direct answer and a specific, relevant reason. All the subsequent sentences are related to that reason and within the context of the question.

This is an excellent paragraph and precisely what the examiner needs to provide a high score for Task Achievement.

Achieve a Band 8 for Task Response.

If you need a band 7 or band 8 for writing, aim for this much development in your body paragraphs.

Why?

Achieving a band 9 takes more time, and remember you only have 40 minutes for Task 2.

Attempting to write band-9 body paragraphs takes up too much of your limited time while you think of additional ideas. That could result in an incomplete answer which, of course, means a lower score.

For those of you who really do need a band 9, you need to develop this paragraph even further.

How to improve the Task Achievement score

To create a band 9 paragraph, adding another sentence about air pollution is the easiest thing to do.

Band 9 – IELTS Writing Task 2 Paragraph:

It’s positive that more tasks can be completed online because people don’t need to leave their houses as often as they used to. With internet banking and online shopping, people can stay at home instead of driving their cars to these locations, resulting in less air pollution from all the unnecessary traffic. Banks in Ireland, for example, have been reducing the number of staff they employ in each branch because customers prefer to complete transactions online instead of driving to the premises. This reduction in carbon emissions is incredibly important, considering the fact that global warming is one of the most serious issues nowadays.

Why Band 9 is an appropriate score for Task Achievement:

This paragraph has included all the necessary components for a high Task Achievement score and developed the ideas completely.

Important Note

Just to clarify, we’ve been looking at just one body paragraph.

For this Writing Task 2 question type, your answer must include an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion.

How many body paragraphs are required in a Task 2 essay?

That means, for a high Task Achievement score, you need to write a complete essay like the one below.

IELTS Writing Task 2 question for focus on Task Achievement

These days, the internet can be used for more and more tasks. I believe that this is a positive situation because people can spend more time at home, and it allows more small businesses to exist.

It’s positive that more tasks can be completed online because people don’t need to leave their houses as often as they used to. With internet banking and online shopping, people can stay at home instead of driving their cars to these locations, resulting in less air pollution from unnecessary traffic. Banks in Ireland, for example, have been reducing the number of staff they employ in each branch because customers prefer to complete transactions online instead of driving to the premises. This reduction in carbon emissions is incredibly important, considering the fact that global warming is one of the most serious issues nowadays.

Furthermore, many new small businesses are now operating because of the flexibility of the internet. As online shopping and online consultations become increasingly popular, it’s unnecessary for small businesses to purchase or rent a premises or pay expensive insurance fees. This means that more people can afford to set up businesses from their family homes. For instance, in America, many small shops use websites like eBay to sell their products online, and as a result, there are far more small businesses now than there was before e-commerce.

In conclusion, I feel that the additional activities that can be done on the internet are an advantage because it means that people can spend more time at home, and it allows for the existence of more small businesses.

What now?

What I’d like you to do next is review your own Task Achievement in Writing Task 2 answers you’ve already written.

Look for the common mistakes you learned about in this lesson.

Fix any mistakes you find to become more familiar with how to get a high Task Achievement score.

Learning from your mistakes is an essential part of improving your IELTS scores. Make sure to embrace the process!

Also, be aware that you might be making mistakes with Task Achievement because you need to learn how to analyse the question properly.

Finally, congratulations on reaching the end of this lesson. Apply what you’ve learned, and you will score higher for Task Achievement in Writing Task 2.

After that, you’re ready to learn about Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.