Writing Task 2 · Academic language · Lesson 16 of 18
Accuracy: punctuation, spelling and common errors
Punctuation, spelling, word formation and common grammar mistakes, with a simple routine for proofreading your work in both tasks.
In this lesson you will
- see how accuracy affects your band score
- use full stops, commas and apostrophes correctly
- avoid common spelling and word formation errors
- correct common grammar mistakes and proofread your own work
Why it matters
How accurate do you need to be?
Grammatical Range and Accuracy and Lexical Resource together make up half of your Writing score, in both Task 1 and Task 2. Accuracy is described at every band:
| Band | Grammar and punctuation | Spelling and word formation |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | “The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is well managed.” | “Occasional errors … may occur, but have minimal impact on communication.” |
| 7 | “Grammar and punctuation are generally well controlled, and error-free sentences are frequent.” | “There are only a few errors … and they do not detract from overall clarity.” |
| 6 | “Errors in grammar and punctuation occur, but rarely impede communication.” | “There are some errors … but these do not impede communication.” |
| 5 | “Grammatical errors may be frequent and cause some difficulty for the reader. Punctuation may be faulty.” | “Errors … may be noticeable and may cause some difficulty for the reader.” |
Do not play it safe. Accuracy alone is not enough, because you also need a range of structures. Band 6 needs “a mix of simple and complex sentence forms”. Keep using complex sentences, and use this lesson to make them correct.
Part A
Punctuation
| Rule | Correct | Incorrect |
|---|---|---|
| Do not join two sentences with a comma. | Many people work from home. This saves time. | Many people work from home, this saves time. |
| However begins a new sentence or follows a semicolon. | The cost is high. However, the benefits are greater. | The cost is high, however, the benefits are greater. |
| Put a comma after a clause or linking phrase at the start. | Although it is expensive, it is popular. | Although it is expensive it is popular. |
| No comma before that or between a subject and its verb. | Many people believe that it is unfair. | Many people believe, that it is unfair. |
| Use an apostrophe for possession. Its shows possession. | The company's profits rose, and its costs fell. | The companys profits rose, and it's costs fell. |
Choose the correct punctuation
Part B
Spelling and word formation
Either British or American spelling is accepted, but use one style consistently. Word formation means using the correct form of a word: noun, verb, adjective or adverb.
Choose the correct spelling
These words are often misspelled in IELTS essays.
- Word 1
- Word 2
- Word 3
- Word 4
- Word 5
- Word 6
Use the correct form
Type the correct form of the word in brackets.
- There has been significant in technology. (develop)
- Air pollution is to health. (harm)
- Many families still live in . (poor)
- Regular exercise is part of a lifestyle. (health)
- Students need the to think critically. (able)
- The government should the law. (strong)
Part C
Common grammar errors
| Check | Correct | Incorrect |
|---|---|---|
| Subject-verb agreement | The number of cars has increased. | The number of cars have increased. |
| Uncountable nouns | more information, advice, research | more informations, advices |
| Articles | The environment is under threat. Children need support. | Environment is under threat. The children need support. (meaning children in general) |
| One of the + plural | One of the main reasons is cost. | One of the main reason is cost. |
| Tenses in Task 1 | In 2010, sales rose sharply. | In 2010, sales rise sharply. |
Correct or incorrect?
- The number of people is growing.
- The number of people are growing.
- Everyone have a mobile phone.
- Students need more information.
- Students need more informations.
- One of the main reasons is cost.
- Environment is getting worse.
- In 2015, the figure fell to 20%.
Corrections: The number of people is growing. Everyone has a mobile phone. Students need more information. The environment is getting worse.
Part D
Proofread your work
Keep the last three to five minutes of each task for checking. Check for one kind of mistake at a time, and start with the mistakes that you make most often.
Find the eight errors
Click each word that has a mistake or is followed by the wrong punctuation.
Many goverment have introduced new law to reduce pollution. This policies has been effective in some country, however, people still depends on there cars.
Many governments have introduced new laws to reduce pollution. These policies have been effective in some countries. However, people still depend on their cars.
Correct this paragraph
Rewrite the paragraph without mistakes.
In recent year, the number of student who study abroad have increased, this is because many university offers scholarship. Studying overseas give young people the oportunity to learn about a different cultures.
In recent years, the number of students who study abroad has increased. This is because many universities offer scholarships. Studying overseas gives young people the opportunity to learn about different cultures.
- Punctuation: does every sentence have one main idea and a full stop?
- Verbs: check subject-verb agreement and tenses.
- Nouns: check plurals and articles.
- Spelling and word forms: pay special attention to words from the question.
- Your own list: check the mistakes that your teacher marks most often.
Model answers and lesson materials by Tips4IELTS.