What Band 7 means in Task 2
Band 7 expects a clear position throughout, logical paragraphing, precise vocabulary, and varied but accurate grammar. In the rubric:

• Task Response means you answer all parts and stay on topic.
• Coherence and Cohesion means ideas flow and are linked naturally.
• Lexical Resource means word choice is accurate and flexible.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy means you use different structures with few errors.

A fast planning method
Use 4–30–4. Spend 4 minutes to decode the question, choose a position, and sketch a skeleton outline. Write for about 30 minutes. Use the last 4 minutes to check topic coverage, paragraph logic, and obvious errors. Target 260 to 290 words across four paragraphs.

The 7 moves that keep you on track

1. Decode the question and underline the verbs.
2. Choose a position you can support.
3. Write a one sentence thesis. A thesis is your main claim.
4. Add a one sentence map that previews the body.
5. Build each body paragraph with a topic sentence, a reason, and a concrete example.
6. Add a concession or balance line to show nuance. A concession admits a valid limit.
7. Conclude by restating the main claim and the “so what”.

Example 1 — Opinion prompt with annotations
Prompt: Universities should prioritise job skills over pure research. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Intro
Universities should teach skills that lead to employment, yet research must remain a core mission. [Thesis: clear position with balance]
In my view, practical training deserves more weight in most courses, while research funding should target areas with public benefit. [Map: previews two angles]

Body 1
Practical modules help graduates transition into work without long apprenticeships. [Topic sentence: reason]
For instance, final year projects run with local firms let students apply theory to live problems, which improves confidence and employability. [Example: concrete, process oriented]
Although pure theory sharpens thinking, it rarely equips students to meet tight deadlines or collaborate across teams. [Balance line: concessive contrast]

Body 2
At the same time, research should focus on problems that markets ignore but society needs solved. [Topic sentence: principle]
Public funds could prioritise clean water, public health, and affordable energy, where results lift many communities rather than a few investors. [Development: scope and beneficiaries]
This approach protects basic science while ensuring taxpayers see value. [Link back: cohesion]

Conclusion
Overall, universities should tilt toward practical skills in most degrees, while research streams remain strong in fields with broad social impact. [Synthesis: repeats stance without new ideas]

Why this is Band 7 friendly
The position is explicit. Topic sentences control each paragraph. Examples are specific. Concessions avoid black and white claims. Linking is natural with “at the same time” and “overall”.

Example 2 — Problem and solution prompt with annotations
Prompt: Many cities face rising household waste. Why is this happening and what can be done?
Intro
Household waste grows because convenience has become the default in urban life, but policy nudges can reverse the trend. [Thesis: cause plus solution map]

Body 1
Consumers buy single use goods because they are cheap and omnipresent. [Topic sentence: cause]
Food delivery and discount packaging reward volume rather than durability, so bins fill faster than recycling systems can adapt. [Explanation: mechanism]
Still, people do change habits when small frictions make throwaway choices less attractive. [Balance: sets up solution]

Body 2
Cities can cut waste by adjusting prices and access. [Topic sentence: solution]
A modest fee on single use bags and a network of refill stations for staples like oil and shampoo have reduced plastic in several districts of Dhaka. [Example: local, specific]
If governments pair fees with convenient refills near bus stops, residents will adopt the new routine without feeling punished. [Evaluation: feasibility]

Conclusion
Since cheap convenience drives waste, city planners should price it correctly and offer easy alternatives that keep families on budget. [Synthesis: logic returns to thesis]

Why this is Band 7 friendly
Clear cause, realistic fix, local detail, and a practical pathway show depth. The conclusion synthesises rather than repeats.

Mini case — Ayesha from Khulna
Ayesha sat at Band 6.0 because her intros were vague and bodies lacked examples. She adopted the 7 moves and a two minute skeleton outline: thesis, two topic sentences, and one local example. Over 12 practice essays her average length rose from 220 to 275 words, and error density fell from 12 to 6 per 100 words. In her mock, she earned 7.0 by adding one concession sentence per body paragraph.

Measurable tips

• Sentence budget per paragraph: Intro 2, Body 1 4, Body 2 4, Conclusion 2.
• Word target: 260 to 290.
• One concession per body.
• One concrete example per body that names a place, group, time, or small number.
• Error check pass: subject verb agreement, article use, singular plural, and comma splices.

Common mistakes

• Overgeneralising with no example. Fix by adding a named context such as “public universities in Bangladesh”.
• New idea in the conclusion. Fix by rephrasing the thesis and stating the main outcome.
• Mechanical linkers in every sentence. Use natural signposts like “at the same time” or “as a result”, not one per line.
• Writing 350 words with many slips. Brevity with accuracy scores better.

Edge cases and how to handle them

• Mixed prompts that ask for both views and your opinion. Write both views in Body 1 and Body 2, then state your view clearly in the intro and conclusion.
• Partial agreement. Use “mostly agree” and show the limit in one concession line.
• Rare topics. Zoom out to principles such as fairness, cost, access, safety, and long term effects.

Glossary
Thesis: the one sentence claim that anchors your essay.
Topic sentence: the first line that controls a paragraph.
Cohesion: the flow created by pronouns, repetition, and signposts.
Concession: a sentence that admits a valid limit to your point.
Register: the level of formality suitable for an academic audience.
Hedging: language like “often” or “in many cases” that keeps claims accurate.

Tips and tricks

• Draft your thesis first. If it is vague, the whole essay wobbles.
• Keep a tiny bank of local examples you can adapt, for instance, public transport in Dhaka or refill markets in Chattogram.
• Vary grammar with one relative clause and one conditional per body paragraph if natural.
• Read your topic sentences in isolation. If they tell a logical story, the essay is coherent.

To avoid

• Starting without a plan.
• Emotional language or slang.
• Lists of ideas with no development.
• Rewriting the question as your thesis.

Next steps
Pick three recent Task 2 prompts. For each, write a 4 line outline, then produce a 270 word essay. Annotate your own lines using the labels above and count errors per 100 words. Reduce that number by 20 percent over two weeks.

1. Actionable closing — Q&A

Q1. How long should my introduction be?
Two sentences are enough. One thesis and one map of your main points.

Q2. Do examiners expect statistics?
No. Prefer small, believable details such as place, group, or routine. If you use a number, keep it modest and round.

Q3. Can I use personal examples?
Yes, if they illustrate a general point and you keep an academic tone.

Q4. Is it safe to sit at 250 words exactly?
Aim slightly higher, around 260 to 290, so trimming or counting differences do not drop you below the minimum.

Q5. How many linkers should I use?
Use a few natural signposts. Overuse feels mechanical. Quality beats quantity.

Q6. What if I change my mind mid essay?
Do not switch sides. Add a concession line to show balance and keep your original thesis.

CTA: Choose one prompt today. Spend 4 minutes planning, 30 writing, and 4 checking. Annotate your topic sentences, concessions, and examples. Log words and error density, then repeat twice this week and beat one number by 10 percent.