BandCheck blog
Examiner-grade IELTS Writing analysis.
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An IELTS Task 1 template that scores Band 7 on Coherence
A repeatable four-paragraph template for Academic Task 1, with the language you need for trends, comparisons, and overviews. Works for charts, graphs, tables, and maps.
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A library of Band 7+ linking phrases (no 'firstly, secondly')
Ready-to-use linking phrases organised by the relationship they express — addition, contrast, cause, consequence, emphasis, qualification. Memorise five and your essays sound a band higher.
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Why your transitions are killing your IELTS Coherence band
Most Band 6 essays over-use 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'In conclusion'. Here's what Band 7+ writers do differently — with concrete swaps you can apply today.
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Band 7 vs Band 8 IELTS essay: a line-by-line comparison
Two student essays on the same Task 2 prompt — one Band 7, one Band 8 — broken down sentence by sentence to show exactly where the band difference lives.
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How to write an IELTS introduction that gets Band 7
A two-sentence formula for IELTS Task 2 introductions that always scores in the Band 7 range, with three worked examples.
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5 Task 2 mistakes that cost you a band (and how to fix each one)
Five recurring Task 2 problems we see in thousands of IELTS essays — with the smallest possible fix for each.
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What is IELTS Writing Band 7, really?
A practical breakdown of what an examiner looks for at Band 7 — written from inside the rubric, with concrete examples from real essays.
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Introducing BandCheck: an IELTS Writing grader that thinks like an examiner
We built BandCheck because grading IELTS Writing essays by hand is slow, inconsistent, and expensive. Here's how the bot works and why it exists.