IELTS Writing Task 2: How to Write a Band 7+ Conclusion

 

Your IELTS conclusion is on a mission should you choose to accept it.

There are 3 simple objectives on this mission:

1. State your opinion/position

2. Give your main reason for this opinion

3. Add an extra detail

Let’s look at these objectives more closely below.

If you want to read more about conclusions, I recommend checking out some of my sample answers here.

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Dave

 

1. State your opinion/position

This is the main mission for your conclusion. If you only accomplish one objective, it should be this one.

The reason for it is in the band descriptors:

The key here is ‘presents a relevant position’. A position is the same thing as an opinion.

If you don’t say your opinion it is impossible to get a band 6 or above. Mission not accomplished.

Put in your conclusion and you can get at least a 6. So – just do it!

For example, ‘In my opinion, smoking should be banned in public places’ or ‘I believe that all children should be required to take computer lessons in school.’

Here is some vocabulary that will make your position crystal clear:

Be careful – only use the ones in blue and red for writing. The pink ones are only for the speaking test.

(By the way, if you want more tips like this you can check out our Facebook group)

 

2. Give your Main Reason for this Opinion

This one is pretty simple – just say why you have that opinion!

Don’t make up a new reason – use one that you already talked about in your writing.

For example: ‘In my opinion, smoking should be banned in public places because it has harmful side effects for people who are not smoking‘ or ‘I believe that all children should be required to take computer lessons in school because it will have a positive impact on their ability to get a good job later in life.’

 

3. An Extra Detail

This one is a little controversial.

Normally, examiners mark everyone’s writing exactly the same.

It doesn’t matter if you are in Bangladesh or France or Japan or Antarctica – you get the same marks because every examiner follows the band descriptors, like a perfectly objective robot.

But there are a few small areas where examiners do mark things a little differently. This is related to how long they have been marking, some unclear areas in the band descriptors, the person who trained them and even just human nature.

In these areas of difference you should always choose the safe option.

The safe option here is to include an extra detail to finish off your essay because some examiners will require you to have this for Band 7+.

What is an extra detail?

It could be a solution, more support for your opinion, a prediction – anything really!

Here are a few examples of extra details:

Prediction: If we ban smoking, people will lead longer, more productive lives and less money will be wasted on healthcare.

Further support: Health is more important than anything else and any effort to improve people’s health, including banning smoking, is a positive step forward.

Solution: The best way for nations to begin to institute these bans is to first raise taxes which will result in fewer smokers overall before completely banning smoking sometime in the next 20 years.

You do not need all 3 of those. 1 or 2 sentences with extra detail is enough to make sure you don’t get bumped down to band 6 because of a malfunctioning robot!

Here is a checklist from our Instagram page:

A Complete Conclusion

‘In my opinion, smoking should be banned in public places because it has harmful side effects for people who are not smoking. Health is more important than anything else and any effort to improve people’s health, including banning smoking, is a positive step forward.’

Opinion + Main Reason Why + Extra Detail = Mission Accomplished!

Now it’s Your Turn! Comment below!

Write only the conclusion for the following topic in the comments below:

Some people believe that we should have complete free speech and be allowed to say anything we want. Others think that there should be some limits on free speech. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

If you need some more information about conclusions check out this post.

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