Keep it natural but slightly formal.
Target Band: 6.5 – 8.5
Purpose: Improve coherence, lexical resource, and task achievement.
When compiling or downloading a PDF of phrases, you must be careful. Not all phrases are created equal. To move from a Band 5/6 to a Band 7/8, your expressions must meet three criteria:
The writing module demands precision. You cannot use casual spoken English here. Below are categorized phrases for Task 1 (Graphs/Charts/Diagrams) and Task 2 (Essays).
Thesis & position
Introducing paragraphs / topic sentences
Giving examples
Adding contrast
Cause & effect
Making recommendations / solutions
Concluding
Model essay openings by question type
Useful advanced phrases for higher band scores Keep it natural but slightly formal
Whether you’re aiming for Band 7 or higher, a small arsenal of accurate, natural set phrases can lift clarity, cohesion, and lexical range in both IELTS Writing and Speaking. Below are high-utility expressions organized by task, with brief notes on where and how to use them. Use them naturally — memorise patterns and adapt them to your ideas rather than repeating them verbatim.
Overview
Practical tips for mastery
Mini sample paragraph (model for essays) When compiling or downloading a PDF of phrases,
Use this sheet as a compact reference while you revise. If you’d like, I can turn these into a downloadable PDF formatted for quick study.
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