New IELTS Writing Practice Set for Band 7 Target

By "Global Learning Academy" - May 31, 2025

Student Focus: Improving linking words, grammar accuracy, coherence, cohesion, transitions, sentence variety, and overall task fulfillment for a Band 7.

General Instructions for the Student:

• For each task, complete all the preliminary exercises before writing the full response. This will help you focus on specific skills.
• Pay close attention to word counts (Task 1: at least 150 words; Task 2: at least 250 words).
• Time yourself when writing the full responses (Task 1: 20 minutes; Task 2: 40 minutes).
• After writing, review your work using the "Band 7 Checklist" provided at the end of each task's exercises.
• To write your answers, please click here to open and write on the "Answer Sheet": Answer Sheet (This would be a link in a real digital document)

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Practice Task 1: Table

The table below shows the percentage of people in different age groups in a particular country who consumed news via four different mediums in 2015 and 2025.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

News Consumption by Medium and Age Group (%)

News Source	Year	16-30 yrs (%)	31-50 yrs (%)	51+ yrs (%)
Television	2015	35	55	70
	2025	15	30	50
Newspapers (Print)	2015	10	25	45
	2025	2	8	20
Online News Sites	2015	40	30	10
	2025	60	50	25
Social Media Feeds	2015	55	20	5
	2025	78	45	15

(Preliminary Exercises – Complete BEFORE writing the full Task 1 response):

1. Understanding the Data & Overview (Focus: Task Achievement, Coherence)
• What are the main variables shown in the table (units, time periods, categories of people, categories of news sources)?
• What is the most striking overall trend for each news medium across the years? What about for each age group?
• Write a two-sentence overview that summarises the main trends or most significant features without quoting specific data from the table. (e.g., "Overall, there was a clear shift in news consumption habits across all age groups, with traditional media declining in popularity while digital sources saw significant growth...")
2. Identifying Key Features & Paragraph Planning (Focus: Task Achievement, Coherence)
• Identify 2-3 key features or significant figures for each news medium (e.g., highest percentage, lowest percentage, biggest change).
• Identify 2-3 key features or comparisons for each age group (e.g., most popular medium in 2015 vs. 2025, largest shift in preference).
• How will you group this information into 2-3 body paragraphs? Briefly outline what each paragraph will describe. (e.g., Paragraph 1: Trends for Television and Newspapers; Paragraph 2: Trends for Online News Sites and Social Media Feeds, highlighting age group differences).
3. Vocabulary for Describing Data in Tables (Focus: Lexical Resource)
• List 3 phrases to introduce the highest figure (e.g., accounted for the largest proportion, was the most popular, peaked at).
• List 3 phrases to introduce the lowest figure (e.g., represented the smallest percentage, was the least common, reached a low of).
• List 3 ways to express a proportion/percentage (e.g., X percent of..., a fifth of respondents, approximately a quarter).
• Write three sentences describing different data points from the table using some of this vocabulary.
4. Linking for Comparison & Contrast (Focus: Cohesion, Lexical Resource)
• List 3 linking words/phrases for comparison (e.g., similarly, correspondingly, in a similar vein).
• List 3 linking words/phrases for contrast (e.g., conversely, whereas, in stark contrast to).
• Write two sentences that compare or contrast data points from different news sources or age groups using these linkers.
5. Grammar – Describing Data & Making Comparisons (Focus: Grammatical Range and Accuracy)
• Write one sentence describing a specific data point in 2015 (e.g., "In 2015, television was the primary news source for X% of those aged 51+.")
• Write one sentence describing a change between 2015 and 2025 for one category (e.g., "The preference for print newspapers among 16-30 year olds saw a decline from X% to Y% over the decade.")
• Write one sentence using a comparative structure (e.g., "Online news sites were significantly more popular among younger people than older individuals in both years shown.")

(Write your full Task 1 Response now – at least 150 words)

(Band 7 Checklist for Task 1 – Review your response):

• [ ] Task Achievement: Have I addressed all parts of the task? Is there a clear overview? Are key features and trends clearly reported and supported by data from the table? Is it at least 150 words?
• [ ] Coherence & Cohesion: Is the information logically organised into paragraphs? Are linking words used effectively and accurately to connect ideas and make comparisons? Is there clear referencing?
• [ ] Lexical Resource: Have I used a sufficient range of vocabulary accurately for describing data and trends? Is there varied vocabulary for making comparisons? Are there any spelling/word choice errors?
• [ ] Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Have I used a variety of sentence structures? Are verb tenses, prepositions, and articles used correctly? Are figures reported accurately? Are there minimal grammatical errors?

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Practice Task 2: Discuss Both Views & Give Your Opinion Essay

Essay Question:

Some educators believe that the increasing integration of technology in classrooms, such as tablets and online resources, is highly beneficial for student learning. Others argue that it can be distracting and detrimental to traditional learning skills.

Discuss both these views and give your own clearly stated opinion.

(Preliminary Exercises – Complete BEFORE writing the full Task 2 response):

1. Deconstructing the Prompt & Brainstorming (Focus: Task Response, Coherence)
• What is the central topic? (Technology in education)
• What are the two distinct views presented that you must discuss?
• What does "discuss both these views and give your own clearly stated opinion" require you to do in terms of essay structure and content?
• Brainstorm 2-3 arguments/reasons supporting the view that technology integration is beneficial. For each, think of an explanation or example.
• Brainstorm 2-3 arguments/reasons supporting the view that technology integration can be distracting or detrimental. For each, think of an explanation or example.
2. Thesis Statement & Essay Plan (Focus: Task Response, Coherence)
• Formulate your own opinion on the issue. Do you lean more towards the benefits, the drawbacks, or a balanced perspective acknowledging both?
• Write a clear thesis statement that acknowledges both views will be discussed and states your overall opinion. (e.g., "While the integration of technology in classrooms offers undeniable advantages in terms of access to information and engagement, concerns about its potential for distraction and erosion of traditional skills are also valid; however, I believe that with strategic implementation, the benefits ultimately outweigh the drawbacks.")
• Create a brief outline for your essay (Introduction with thesis; Body Paragraph 1: Discussing benefits; Body Paragraph 2: Discussing drawbacks; Body Paragraph 3: Elaborating on your own opinion and perhaps suggesting solutions/conditions; Conclusion).
3. Topic Sentences (Focus: Coherence, Cohesion)
• For each of your planned body paragraphs (discussing view 1, discussing view 2, and your opinion if separate), write a clear topic sentence that introduces the main idea of that paragraph.
4. Linking Words & Transitions for Discussion Essays (Focus: Cohesion, Lexical Resource)
• List 2 linking words/phrases to introduce the first view (e.g., On the one hand, Proponents argue that...).
• List 2 linking words/phrases to introduce the second view (e.g., On the other hand, Conversely, Opponents contend that...).
• List 2 linking words/phrases to introduce your own opinion or to add nuance (e.g., In my view, From my perspective, It seems to me that...).
• List 1-2 linking words/phrases for concluding (e.g., In conclusion, To summarize...).
5. Sentence Variety & Nuance (Focus: Grammatical Range & Accuracy, Lexical Resource)
• Write one complex sentence that presents one of the arguments for technology in education. (e.g., "Advocates of integrating technology often point to its capacity to provide students with access to a vast repository of up-to-date information, thereby fostering independent research skills.")
• Write one complex sentence that presents one of the arguments against technology in education. (e.g., "Conversely, critics express concern that an over-reliance on digital tools might lead to a decline in essential cognitive abilities, such as deep reading comprehension and critical analysis, which are often better cultivated through traditional methods.")
• Write one sentence that clearly states your opinion using cautious or emphatic language as appropriate. (e.g., "It is my firm belief, however, that the potential downsides can be mitigated through thoughtful pedagogical approaches.")

(Write your full Task 2 Response now – at least 250 words)

(Band 7 Checklist for Task 2 – Review your response):

• [ ] Task Response: Have I discussed both views adequately? Is my own opinion clear and presented appropriately (not just in the conclusion)? Are my arguments relevant and well-supported with explanations/examples? Is it at least 250 words?
• [ ] Coherence & Cohesion: Is the essay logically organised with clear paragraphs discussing each view and my opinion? Does each paragraph have a clear central topic? Are linking words and phrases used effectively to transition between views and arguments?
• [ ] Lexical Resource: Have I used a wide range of vocabulary appropriately and accurately? Is there evidence of less common lexical items? Are there any significant spelling/word choice errors? Is the tone appropriate for an academic essay?
• [ ] Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Have I used a variety of sentence structures (simple, compound, complex) effectively? Is there good control of grammar (tenses, subject-verb agreement, articles, prepositions)? Are there minimal errors that impede communication?

Guidance for the Tutor/Feedback Provider:

• Review the preliminary exercises first to pinpoint specific areas of weakness before assessing the full response.
• When providing feedback on the full responses, refer back to the Band 7 descriptors and the checklist.
• Provide concrete examples of how the student could improve specific sentences or express ideas more effectively for a Band 7 (e.g., "Instead of 'Technology is good because...', try 'One significant advantage of incorporating technology is its potential to...'").
• For Task 2, check if the student has given adequate attention to both views before presenting their own balanced opinion.
• Encourage the student to revise their essays based on your feedback.