IELTS General Training is often underestimated. While the Task 2 essay is similar to the Academic version, Task 1 (the letter) and the general tone of your writing require a specific approach that many candidates overlook – and that oversight is exactly what keeps them stuck at Band 6.
The gap between 6.0 and 7.5+ is not about learning more English. It is about using what you already know more strategically. The five tricks below are simple, high-impact changes you can start applying immediately.
1. Nail the Tone in Task 1
The biggest mistake in General Training Task 1 is mixing formal and informal language. You must identify the relationship with the recipient immediately and commit to a single register from the first word to the last.
Here is the quick-reference breakdown:
| Letter Type | Recipient | Greeting | Sign-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formal | Manager, Landlord, Official | Dear Sir/Madam, | Yours faithfully, |
| Semi-Formal | Colleague, Neighbour | Dear Mr. Jones, | Yours sincerely, |
| Informal | Friend, Family | Dear Sam, | Best wishes / All the best, |
Trick: If it is a friend, use contractions (I’m, don’t). If it is formal, never use them (I am, do not). This single habit signals register awareness to the examiner more clearly than anything else you can do.
Getting tone wrong does not just hurt Task Achievement – it drags down your Lexical Resource score as well. If you want the full breakdown of which closings pair with which openings, read our guide to formal vs informal letter endings.
2. Use the “PEEL” Method for Task 2
Examiners hate “list-like” essays. To get a high score for Coherence and Cohesion, each paragraph needs a single, well-developed idea – not a shopping list of half-explained points.
PEEL gives you a repeatable structure for every body paragraph:
- P – Point: State your main argument clearly.
- E – Evidence/Example: Provide a real-world example.
- E – Explanation: Explain how the example proves your point.
- L – Link: Connect it back to the main question.
When an examiner reads a PEEL paragraph, they see logical development, clear organisation, and a candidate who is thinking – not just filling space. This structure alone can push your Coherence and Cohesion score up by a full band. If you are still building the fundamentals, our Band 6 action plan walks you through the paragraph structures that matter most at each level.
3. The “Synonym Swap”
Repeating words like “important,” “good,” or “problem” signals a limited vocabulary to the examiner. Your Lexical Resource score depends on demonstrating range – and the simplest way to do that is to prepare synonyms before you start writing.
Instead of “Problem”, use: issue, dilemma, setback, or obstacle.
Instead of “Important”, use: crucial, vital, paramount, or essential.
Instead of “Good”, use: beneficial, advantageous, valuable, or effective.
Trick: Before you start writing, spend 30 seconds listing 3-4 synonyms for the key words in the prompt. Write them in the margin of your question paper. Then use them throughout your response to show range. This is not about sounding fancy – it is about proving to the examiner that you have the vocabulary to avoid repetition.
4. Master the “Signpost” Words
Signposting tells the examiner exactly where your argument is going. It is one of the easiest ways to score high on Organisation because it makes the logical structure of your essay impossible to miss.
To add information: Furthermore, In addition, Moreover.
To show contrast: On the other hand, Conversely, However.
To show cause and effect: Consequently, As a result, Therefore.
Trick: Use a signpost at the start of every body paragraph and when switching viewpoints within a paragraph. But do not force them into every sentence – overuse sounds mechanical and can actually work against you. The goal is to guide the reader, not to decorate your writing.
For a deeper look at the grammar patterns that support strong signposting, see our post on common IELTS mistakes to avoid.
5. The 5-Minute “S” Check
The most common errors that drop scores from 7.0 to 6.5 are not vocabulary problems or structural failures. They are small, repeated grammatical mistakes – the kind you already know the rules for but miss under time pressure.
Three specific things to look for:
- Subject-Verb Agreement: He go vs. He goes.
- Plurals: Many student vs. Many students.
- Possessives: The governments policy vs. The government’s policy.
Trick: Save exactly 5 minutes at the end of the exam. Do not look for “big” mistakes – look specifically for missing “s” endings and apostrophes. These tiny errors are the most common reason candidates who write strong content still end up with a 6.5 instead of a 7.0 or higher.
One More Thing: The Task 1 Bullet Point Rule
This is not a trick – it is a non-negotiable rule that too many candidates learn the hard way.
In Task 1, you must address all three bullet points in the prompt. If you miss one, your Task Achievement score will automatically be capped at a 5.0, regardless of how good your English is. No amount of sophisticated vocabulary or perfect grammar can make up for an incomplete response.
Before you move on from Task 1, count the bullet points in the prompt and check them off against your letter. It takes ten seconds and it protects your score.
Put These Tricks to Work
The distance between Band 6.0 and Band 7.5+ is not about talent or years of study. It is about knowing exactly what the examiner looks for and making targeted adjustments to how you write. Nail your letter tone, structure your paragraphs with PEEL, swap in synonyms, signpost your arguments, and check for missing “s” endings before you hand in your paper.
Start with one trick on your next practice test. Add another the following week. By the time exam day arrives, all five will be automatic – and your score will reflect it.