IELTS Coherence and Cohesion

Understanding the Interplay of the Four Criteria

To achieve a high band score in IELTS Writing Task 1, it is crucial to integrate the four scoring criteria seamlessly. Each criterion—Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy—supports and reinforces the others. A truly high-scoring response shows these elements working together to create a cohesive, logical, and well-rounded piece of writing.

Strategies for Integrating the Criteria

Task Achievement as the Foundation:

• Purpose: Ensure your response fully addresses the task requirements by summarising key trends, features, or stages.

• Strategy: Identify the key points before you begin writing. Focus on what is important, not every detail.

• Integration Tip: Use precise vocabulary (Lexical Resource) and varied grammatical structures (Grammatical Range and Accuracy) to describe trends accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion for Organisation:

• Purpose: Present ideas logically and ensure smooth, natural transitions between sentences and paragraphs.

• Strategy: Use a range of cohesive devices appropriately, such as “however,” “by contrast,” and “as a result.”

• Integration Tip: Combine clear topic-specific vocabulary with linking phrases to ensure ideas flow smoothly.

Lexical Resource for Precision:

• Purpose: Demonstrate the ability to use a wide variety of appropriate vocabulary naturally.

• Strategy: Use synonyms and varied expressions to avoid repetition.

• Integration Tip: Choose precise language to reflect subtle differences in the data, such as “marginal increase” instead of simply “increase.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy for Clarity:

• Purpose: Use a range of sentence types accurately to present information clearly and professionally.

• Strategy: Use a combination of simple, compound, and complex sentences, and ensure grammatical accuracy throughout.

• Integration Tip: Apply the correct tense and passive voice where necessary, especially for describing processes.

Good vs Bad Examples of Integrated Writing

Bad Example:

“The graph shows sales going up in 2010. It is clear that there is an increase. In 2020, sales increase again.”

Why It’s Bad:

• Limited and repetitive vocabulary.

• Little or no sentence variety.

• Poor logical flow between ideas.

Good Example:

“Overall, the graph illustrates a steady increase in sales, with significant growth observed in 2010 and 2020. While sales rose sharply in 2010, the trend stabilised briefly before climbing again in 2020.”

Why It’s Good:

• A strong overview starting with “Overall”.

• Good range of vocabulary and accurate description of trends.

• Logical flow between sentences using cohesive devices.

Exercises for Integration Practice

Exercise 1: True or False

Decide if each statement is true or false:

• Each paragraph should address only one of the four criteria.

• Linking words are essential for achieving Coherence and Cohesion.

• A wide range of vocabulary can help achieve high scores in Task Achievement.

Exercise 2: Fill-in-the-Blanks

Complete each sentence with the correct option:

1. ________, sales increased steadily over the first five years. (Overall, However, Therefore)

2. The bar chart ________ (illustrates, shows, describes) the percentage of energy consumption by sector.

3. The trend ________ (stabilised, increased, remained) briefly before climbing again.

Exercise 3: Error Identification

Identify and correct the errors in the following response:

“The table show data for 2000. Overall, there is big changes in sales. Sales gone up in all categories.”

Exercise 4: Full Integration

Using the table provided (or based on a sample table), write a full Task 1 response integrating all four criteria:

• Begin your overview with “Overall, …”.

• Use appropriate vocabulary.

• Apply a range of sentence structures.

• Maintain logical organisation and natural cohesion.

Final Advice on Integrating the Four Criteria

By focusing on the integration of Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy, you can produce responses that are clear, precise, logical, and highly effective.
Examiners are looking for essays where all these elements work together naturally. With consistent practice and careful attention to these skills, you will be well on your way to achieving a Band 9 in IELTS Writing Task 1.