Task 2 band 8 — TR/CC/LR/GRA detailed breakdown

4 criteria (each 25% of Task 2 score)

1. Task Response (TR) — answering the question
2. Coherence & Cohesion (CC) — logical flow
3. Lexical Resource (LR) — vocabulary
4. Grammatical Range & Accuracy (GRA) — grammar

Task 2 score = average of 4. Band 8 = 8.0+ each.

TR — Task Response

Band 8 standard

• Fully addresses ALL parts of question
• Clear position throughout
• Well-developed main ideas with relevant support
• Conclusion that effectively summarizes

Band 7 falls short on

• One part of question under-addressed (e.g., "discuss both views" but only develops one)
• Position present but wavers in body
• Ideas relevant but not fully developed (1-2 sentences instead of 4-5)

Common TR errors

1. Missing the second part of 2-part question: "What are the causes? What can be done?" — many candidates only address causes.
2. Off-topic examples: example is interesting but doesn't directly support the point.
3. Underdeveloped body paragraph: only 50 words, just 1 supporting sentence.

CC — Coherence & Cohesion

Band 8 standard

• Logical paragraph structure (intro/body/body/conclusion)
• Sentences connected through varied cohesive devices (not just "firstly/secondly")
• Clear topic sentences
• Effective referencing (this, these, such)

Band 7 falls short on

• Overuses basic linkers ("firstly", "secondly", "in addition")
• Some paragraphs lack clear focus
• Referencing occasionally unclear ("this" without clear referent)

Common CC errors

1. Linker-heavy writing: "Firstly, ... Secondly, ... Thirdly, ... In addition, ... Furthermore, ..."
2. Unclear pronoun reference: "They said it would help them" — who is they? what is it?
3. Missing topic sentence: paragraph starts with detail, not main idea.

LR — Lexical Resource

Band 8 standard

• Wide range of vocabulary used naturally
• Skilful use of less common words
• Awareness of collocation
• Rare lexical errors (only with very low-frequency words)

Band 7 falls short on

• Some collocation errors ("do a mistake" instead of "make a mistake")
• Limited variety (repeats same words)
• Occasional word form errors

Common LR errors

1. Word repetition: "problem" 8 times in essay (use "issue", "challenge", "concern")
2. Collocation slip: "strong rain" (should be "heavy rain")
3. Awkward less-common word: "plethora of plethora" — trying too hard
4. Wrong word form: "important importance" instead of "importance"