IELTS Band 6.5 writing examples
Band 6.5 writing is competent and always understandable, but it works in lists rather than arguments. Ideas are named instead of developed, linking words are mechanical, vocabulary repeats, and sentences stay safe. It is the most common plateau band, because everything is adequate and nothing is quite at 7.
What Band 6.5 means in each criterion
These are plain-language summaries of the public IELTS band descriptors. Your band in each criterion is judged against these, and your overall writing band is capped by your weakest one.
- Task Response
- The question is addressed and a position is given, but main ideas are stated briefly rather than extended with reasons, consequences, or examples.
- Coherence and Cohesion
- Paragraphs exist and the order is logical, but the glue is mechanical: Firstly, Secondly, Also, Another point. Ideas sit next to each other instead of building on each other.
- Lexical Resource
- Vocabulary is adequate and clear but repetitive, with the same key words recycled and little precise, topic-specific language.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
- Meaning is always clear and simple sentences are mostly accurate, but there is limited variety, and small slips appear when more complex structures are attempted.
Worked examples at Band 6.5
Each example below is an original worked answer written to illustrate this band, with a per-criterion breakdown of why it sits there and the one fix that would lift it to Band 7.
Compare with other bands
The fastest way to calibrate your eye is to read the same kind of essay one band apart and notice what changes.
Which band is your writing at?
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