Grammatical range and accuracy

This criterion, used in both Writing and Speaking, has two halves that pull against each other: using a variety of structures, and getting them right.

Range

Range is the variety of sentence structures you can use. A script made only of short simple sentences shows little range, even if every sentence is correct. Range comes from combining ideas: clauses with because, although, while, if, which, who; passive forms where they fit; conditionals; comparisons.

Limited: "Many people use cars. Cars cause pollution. Governments should act."

More range: "Because so many people depend on cars, which are a major source of pollution, governments need to make public transport a real alternative."

Accuracy

For Speaking, the official criteria document describes accuracy in terms of error density, that is, how many errors there are in a given amount of language, and the communicative effect of errors, that is, whether they make the meaning unclear. An occasional slip is very different from errors in every sentence, and an error that hides the meaning is more serious than one that does not.

The balance

Do not write long sentences you cannot control. A complex sentence with three errors does less for you than a correct one. Aim for a natural mixture: some simple sentences for clear points, some complex ones to show relationships between ideas.

Errors common among Indian test takers

Error	Correct	Why
I am living here since 2019.	I have lived here since 2019.	"Since" with a point in time takes the present perfect.
She did not went.	She did not go.	After "did", use the base form.
Many informations are available.	Much information is available.	Information, advice, furniture and equipment have no plural.
He told that he was busy.	He said that he was busy. / He told me that he was busy.	"Tell" needs a person after it.
I am agree with this view.	I agree with this view.	"Agree" is a verb; it does not need "am".
Government should take the action.	The government should take action.	Articles: "the" for a particular government, none for action in general.
People prefers cars.	People prefer cars.	Subject and verb must agree.
If I will get time, I will come.	If I get time, I will come.	No "will" in the if-clause.

Punctuation

Punctuation is part of written grammar. Use a full stop, not a comma, between two complete sentences. Put a comma after an introductory phrase: "In recent years, ...". Begin every sentence and every proper name with a capital letter.

How to improve

Keep a list of your own repeated errors from marked work. Most people make the same five again and again.
Leave three minutes at the end of Task 2 and check for those five only.
Practise joining two short sentences in three different ways.
Read good English every day. Structures you have seen many times start to sound right.

Task 2 practice questions All writing pages

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