Welcome to the IELTS Accelerator Q&A Series!

Every week, I tackle your real IELTS struggles—the confusing, the controversial, and the "why didn’t anyone explain this?!" questions holding you back from Band 7+. From my IELTS journey to yours - honest advice that made the difference for me and hundreds of students.

"If there's one frustration I hear from IELTS beginners every day, it's this: 'I keep making the same writing mistakes—but no one tells me WHAT I'm doing wrong!' Students share their essays with me, confused about why they're stuck at Band 5.5. They’ve studied hard, but tiny errors—like using casual language, drifting off-topic, or running out of time—keep dragging their scores down before they even finish their first paragraph.

Today, I’m tackling your top 3 panicked questions about these 'silent killers' in IELTS Writing:

• 'Why is my language too informal—and how do I fix it?'
• 'How do I stay on topic when my mind goes blank?'
• 'I always run out of time! How can I write faster without losing marks?'

If you’ve ever lost points for mistakes you didn’t even notice, this Q&A is your wake-up call. Let’s break down each problem—and more importantly, how to solve them!"

Question 1: About Informal Language

"I keep using words like 'don't' and 'I think' in my essays. My friend said this is too casual for IELTS. Is this really a big problem? How can I fix it?"

Answer:

Yes, this is a big problem—but an easy one to fix! IELTS Writing Task 2 requires formal/academic tone, and casual language like contractions ("don’t") or personal phrases ("I think") can lower your score in Lexical Resource and Tone. Here’s how to correct it:

1. Replace Informal Words

❌ Avoid:

"don’t" → Use "do not"

"can’t" → Use "cannot"

"I think/believe" → Use "It is argued/This essay argues"

"kids" → Use "children"

"a lot of" → Use "numerous/significant"

✅ Example:

"I think fast food is bad" → "It is widely argued that fast food has detrimental effects."

2. Use Academic Phrases

Instead of personal opinions, frame arguments objectively:

"Many experts contend that..."

"Research suggests..."

"This essay supports the view that..."

3. Exception: Only use "I" in Opinion Essays

(if the question asks "Do you agree?") Even then, keep it minimal:

"I strongly agree that..." → More formal: "This essay strongly agrees that..."

Pro Tip: Practice rewriting casual sentences formally. For example:

"People don’t care about the environment." → "Many individuals fail to prioritize environmental concerns."

Try it now! Rewrite this sentence formally: "I don’t think governments should ban cars."

(Answer: "It is argued that governments should not prohibit the use of private vehicles.")

Question 2: About Off-Topic Essays:

"Sometimes I write a whole essay but then realize I didn't answer the question properly. How can I stay on topic? I'm scared of losing marks for this!"

Answer:

Don’t panic—this is a super common issue, but easy to fix! Going off-topic hurts your Task Response score (25% of your mark). Here’s how to stay laser-focused:

1. Dissect the Question Before Writing

Underline keywords (e.g., "To what extent do you agree?" vs. "Discuss both views."). Identify the topic + task type (opinion/discussion/solution).

✅ Example Question:

"Some believe technology makes people lonely. Do you agree?"

Topic: Technology’s impact on loneliness

Task: Opinion (agree/disagree)

2. Plan Your Thesis & Topic Sentences

Spend 2 minutes outlining:

• Introduction: Paraphrase question + direct answer (e.g., "This essay agrees that technology exacerbates loneliness because...")
• Body Paragraphs: Each should start with a topic sentence tied to the thesis.

❌ Off-topic trap: Writing about "technology’s benefits for education" in an essay about loneliness.

3. Use the "5-Minute Check"

After writing each paragraph, ask:

Does this directly address the question’s keywords?

Does it support my thesis?

If not—delete or rewrite!

4. Practice with Sample Questions

Try this "Focus Drill":

• Pick 5 essay questions.
• For each, write only the thesis + topic sentences (no full essay).
• Check: Do they exactly match the prompt?

Pro Tip: If you’re stuck, reread the question mid-essay. It’s okay to pause and refocus!

Example Fix:

Question: "Should governments fund arts programs?"

❌ Off-topic: "Arts are important for creativity." (Doesn’t address government funding!)

✅ On-topic: "Governments should fund arts because they boost local economies through tourism."

Question 3: About Time Management:

"I always run out of time in Writing Task 2! By the time I finish Task 1, I only have 30 minutes left. Any tips to write faster without making mistakes?"

Answer:

Don’t worry—time management is the #1 struggle for IELTS candidates, but with the right strategy, you can finish Task 2 confidently in 30-35 minutes. Here’s how:

1. Change Your Time Split

• Task 1 (Letter/Report): Max 15-18 minutes

Why? Task 2 is worth 2x more marks—sacrifice a little perfection in Task 1 to buy time.

• Task 2 (Essay): 40 minutes (5 min plan, 30 min write, 5 min check).

Pro Tip: Practice with a visible timer to train your brain to work faster.

2. Memorize a Simple Essay Structure

Wasting time deciding "what to write next"? Use this fail-proof template:

• Introduction: 2 sentences (background + thesis) – 3 min
• Body 1: Main idea + example – 8 min
• Body 2: Second idea/counterargument – 8 min
• Conclusion: 1 sentence – 2 min

Example Outline for "Are electric cars better?"

• Intro: "Electric vehicles are rising in popularity. This essay argues they are superior due to environmental and cost benefits."
• Body 1: "EVs reduce pollution because..."
• Body 2: "Despite higher upfront costs, long-term savings..."

3. Write Now, Perfect Later

First Draft: Focus on getting ideas down fast (ignore small grammar mistakes).

Last 5 Minutes: Fix errors (subject-verb agreement, articles, spelling).

4. Boost Speed with "Go-To" Phrases

Prepare 5-10 academic phrases you can adapt to any topic:

• "A compelling argument is..."
• "Critics argue that... however..."
• "For instance, a recent study showed..."

Emergency Hack: If you’re at 35 minutes with no conclusion, skip Body 2’s example and write the conclusion. A short essay with all parts > an unfinished one!

Try This Today:

• Set a timer for 18 minutes for Task 1.
• Use the 5-minute planning trick for Task 2.
• Practice typing/writing without stopping for 2 minutes (builds fluency).

Your Turn! What’s your biggest time-waster in Task 2? Planning? Over-editing? Let me know—I’ll help! 🚀

Fixing these common IELTS Writing mistakes doesn’t require magic—just awareness and targeted practice. By eliminating informal language, staying laser-focused on the question, and mastering time management, you’ll see your scores climb faster than you think. Remember: even small adjustments can mean the difference between Band 5.5 and Band 7.

Still battling other IELTS Writing demons? Drop your question below—I’ll tackle it in the next IELTS Accelerator Q&A! 🚀

Keep refining. Your Band 7+ transformation begins the moment you stop repeating these errors.