This week's sessions
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- What band 7 writing looks likeRead this week's lesson and the band descriptors on the writing guide. Rewrite one of your old body paragraphs using claim, explanation, example and consequence.
- Cohesion beyond linking wordsDo the cohesion practice set below, then rewrite two sentences of your own using reference words such as this, such and the latter.
- Plan and write one essayPlan for 5 minutes with a one-sentence position, then write for 30 minutes. Compare your essay with the model answer.
- Band estimate and rewritePaste yesterday's essay into the writing checker. Rewrite the weakest body paragraph so the idea is fully extended, then check it again.
- A second essayWrite a full essay in 40 minutes on this topic. Check that every paragraph has one central idea that supports your position.
This week's lesson: from a clear essay to a band 7 essay
A band 6 essay answers the question and is organised. A band 7 essay does the same things more precisely: the position is clear all the way through, each main idea is extended and supported, and the ideas progress logically with cohesion that isn't mechanical. Here's what that means in practice.
Task Response: a precise position
Band 6 often states a position that's vague or changes:
There are many advantages and disadvantages of working from home, and it depends on the person.
Band 7 commits, and can still be nuanced:
While remote work suits many office roles, I believe it should remain an option rather than the default, because some types of collaboration and training are far more effective in person.
Notice that the opinion answers exactly the question asked, and it already tells the reader what the body paragraphs will argue.
Extending ideas: go one step further
The most common reason for a band 6 in Task Response is ideas that are relevant but not developed. Use this test for every main idea: Have I explained why it matters, and shown it with something specific?
Band 6: Working from home saves time. Many people spend a long time travelling. Band 7: The most obvious benefit is the time saved on commuting. In large cities, a return journey of ninety minutes is common, so working from home can give employees an extra seven hours a week, time that many use for exercise, family or further study, which arguably makes them more productive when they are working.
The band 7 version moves from claim → explanation → specific example → consequence.
Coherence and Cohesion: beyond linking words
Band 6 cohesion is usually mechanical: Firstly, Secondly, Moreover, In conclusion, at the start of sentences. Band 7 uses a wider range of cohesive devices, often in the middle of sentences:
- Reference: this, these changes, such policies, the former / the latter
- Substitution and ellipsis: Some employers welcome this; others do not.
- Lexical chains: remote work → working from home → this arrangement → flexible employment
- Subordination: Although..., ... / ..., which means that...
Remote work cuts commuting time. This is significant because...
This links back to the whole previous idea; that's more precise than Moreover.
One idea per paragraph
Each body paragraph should have one central idea, stated in its first sentence, and every other sentence should support it. If a paragraph has two ideas, split it or cut one. Two well-developed body paragraphs score higher than three thin ones.
Lexical Resource: precise, not fancy
Band 7 uses less common vocabulary with awareness of style and collocation. Exacerbate, alleviate and detrimental help only if you use them accurately. Collocation matters more than rarity:
- make a contribution, not ~~do a contribution~~
- a heavy reliance on, not ~~a big reliance on~~
- pose a risk, raise concerns, meet demand
A band 7 plan (5 minutes)
- Write your position in one sentence.
- For each body paragraph: the idea, why it's true, and one specific example.
- Check: does every paragraph support the position?
Practice for this week
Cohesion beyond linking words
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Weekly check: Writing practice 4
Task 1 and Task 2 in 60 minutes, then press Mark my writing for each.
When you finish, come back to your plan home: your dashboard updates with the new score.
Answers, explanations and transcripts
Finish the test first, then open each section to check your answers. Every answer has an explanation.
Cohesion beyond linking words
Answer key (8 answers)
| # | Question | Answer | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 'Many companies now allow staff to work from home two days a week. ______ has reduced demand for office space.' Which word links most precisely? | This arrangement | 'This arrangement' refers back to the whole idea in the first sentence. Moreover would add a new point instead of linking. |
| 2 | 'Some governments tax sugary drinks; ______ prefer to educate consumers.' Which option is best? | others | 'Others' substitutes for 'other governments', avoiding repetition. 'However' can't join two clauses after a semicolon in this way without a comma. |
| 3 | 'Both trains and buses are being upgraded. ______ will be faster, while ______ will be more frequent.' Which pair is correct? | The former / the latter | 'The former' = trains (first mentioned) and 'the latter' = buses (second mentioned). |
| 4 | Which sentence is the most cohesive? | As cities grow, housing becomes more expensive, which pushes many families to the outer suburbs. | B uses subordination ('As...') and a relative clause ('which...') to show how the ideas cause each other. |
| 5 | Which paragraph would score higher for Coherence and Cohesion? | Online learning is flexible, allowing students to study around work or family commitments. This flexibility also makes it cheaper, since learners don't need to relocate or commute. | The second uses reference ('This flexibility') and links ideas through cause and effect. The first repeats linking words mechanically, one of the clearest band 6 features. |
| 6 | What's wrong with this body paragraph? 'Public transport reduces pollution. Also, I enjoy travelling by train. Many cities have bike lanes.' | It has more than one central idea and the ideas don't connect. | A band 7 paragraph has one central idea that every sentence supports. These three sentences are about different things. |
| 7 | Which collocation is correct? | pose a serious risk | 'Pose a risk' is a natural collocation. The others should be 'a heavy reliance on', 'make a contribution' and 'make a decision'. |
| 8 | Question: 'To what extent do you agree that university education should be free?' Which thesis statement is the most precise? | I partly agree, because while free tuition widens access, it should be linked to subjects the economy needs most. | B states a clear, nuanced position that answers 'to what extent', and previews the argument. A sits on the fence and C and D don't answer the question. |
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