Five mistakes that cap Writing at band 6
Admin1 November 2026 2 min read
Small habits quietly hold a good essay back. Each one below is cheap to fix once you can see it.
The five habits
- Not answering the exact question. Writing about the topic is not the same as answering what was asked. Underline the instruction words: discuss, to what extent, causes and solutions.
- Unsupported ideas. Every main point needs a reason and an example.
- Repeating the same linking words. Moreover in every paragraph reads mechanically. Vary them and use reference words (this trend, such measures).
- Repeated grammar errors. One error repeated ten times costs more than ten different slips. Keep a list of your own.
- Running out of time. Under 250 words is penalised. Plan for five minutes, and practise writing at exam speed.
Where each habit costs you
| Habit | Criterion it hurts |
|---|---|
| Not answering the question | Task response |
| Unsupported ideas | Task response, coherence |
| Same linking words | Coherence and cohesion |
| Repeated errors | Grammatical accuracy |
| Too short | Task response |
Fix one at a time
- Week 1: underline the instruction words before planning
- Week 2: add a reason and an example to every main point
- Week 3: replace repeated linking words
- Week 4: check your own error list before submitting
#writing#task 2
Try these tips on a real task
Put one habit from this article into your next practice session.