Task achievement and task response

The first of the four Writing criteria asks one question: did you do what the task asked? It is called task achievement in Task 1 and task response in Task 2.

The descriptions below follow the official "IELTS Writing Key Assessment Criteria" document, read on 12 November 2026, put into our own words with our own examples.

Task 1, Academic

The official document calls this an information-transfer task. You report what the chart, table or diagram shows; you do not explain why it might be so. The criterion looks at whether you:

• select the key features,
• give enough detail to illustrate them,
• report figures and trends accurately,
• compare and contrast, highlighting the main changes and differences, and not describe mechanically,
• use a suitable format.

Weak: "In 2010 the figure was 20. In 2011 it was 22. In 2012 it was 25. In 2013 it was 31." Every number, no picture.

Better: "The figure rose steadily over the period, from 20 in 2010 to 31 in 2013, with the sharpest increase in the final year." The reader sees the trend, with two figures to anchor it.

Task 1, General Training

The letter task states a situation and three things to cover. The criterion looks at whether you explain the purpose clearly, address all three bullet points fully, extend each one relevantly, use a letter format, and keep a tone that suits the reader throughout. Missing one bullet point, or giving it a single short sentence, is the commonest way to lose marks here.

Task 2

You must form and develop a position on the question. The criterion looks at how fully you respond, how well the main ideas are extended and supported, how relevant they are, how clearly you state your position and reach a conclusion, and whether the format fits.

Read the instruction words. "Discuss both views and give your own opinion" has three jobs: view one, view two, and your opinion. An essay that argues only one side has not done the task, however good the English.

Length

Task 1 needs at least 150 words and Task 2 at least 250. Writing far more than needed costs time you need for checking; writing less means the task is not fully done.

Two things the document warns about

Scripts may be penalised if they are partly or wholly plagiarised, which includes memorised essays that do not fit the question, or if they are not written as full, connected text. Bullet points and notes are not appropriate anywhere in the answer.

A checklist before you write

1. Underline every part of the question.
2. For Task 2, write your position in one sentence before you begin.
3. For Academic Task 1, decide the two or three main features first; they go in your overview.
4. For a letter, tick each bullet point as you cover it.
5. At the end, reread the question and ask: have I answered all of it?

Next

Coherence and cohesion All writing pages

Independent practice site. IELTS Practice is not connected with, approved by or endorsed by the British Council, IDP IELTS or Cambridge University Press & Assessment, who jointly own IELTS. The practice tasks and sample answers here are our own; they are not official test questions, and we do not award bands. Facts about the test were read on ielts.org on 12 November 2026. For registration, fees, dates and official sample tests, go to ielts.org.