Grammar is one of the most important factors in determining your IELTS band score, especially in the Writing and Speaking sections. Examiners evaluate your language skills based on three key aspects:
Range – Can you use different types of sentence structures?
Accuracy – How many grammatical errors do you make?
Complexity – Can you use advanced grammar correctly?
Your performance in these areas determines whether you score a Band 5, 6, 7, or higher.
Detailed Breakdown of IELTS Grammar Bands
🎯 Band 9 (Expert User – Near-Perfect Grammar)
✔ Complete mastery of English grammar ✔ Uses a wide variety of complex structures naturally ✔ Almost no errors – even small mistakes are rare ✔ Sentences are fluent, sophisticated, and precise
Example (Writing Task 2): “While some argue that globalization erodes cultural identity, others maintain that it fosters greater international understanding, a debate that remains unresolved.”
Why this scores Band 9:
Uses advanced linking words (while, others maintain that)
Complex sentence structure with multiple clauses
No grammatical mistakes
🏆 Band 8 (Very Good User – Strong Grammar with Minor Errors)
✔ Uses many different sentence structures correctly ✔ Mostly accurate, with only occasional small mistakes ✔ Can use advanced grammar, but not as naturally as Band 9 ✔ Errors do not affect understanding
Example (Speaking Part 3): “Although social media has improved communication, I believe it has also made people less patient because everything is instant now.”
Why this scores Band 8:
Uses a complex sentence (Although…)
Minor error (less patient could be less patient in real-life conversations)
Still very clear and well-structured
⭐ Band 7 (Good User – Effective but Some Mistakes)
✔ Uses a mix of simple and complex sentences ✔ Makes some errors, but meaning is still clear ✔ Attempts advanced grammar but not always accurate ✔ Good control, but noticeable mistakes
Example (Writing Task 1): “The graph shows that sales increased sharply in 2020, however, they dropped again the following year.”
Why this scores Band 7:
Uses a complex sentence (however)
Small error (comma splice – should be “; however,”)
Overall meaning is clear
📌 Band 6 (Competent User – Frequent Mistakes but Understandable)
✔ Mostly simple sentences, with some attempts at complexity ✔ Several grammar mistakes, but main ideas are clear ✔ Struggles with tenses, articles, and prepositions ✔ Errors sometimes make sentences confusing
Example (Speaking Part 2): “I went to a beach last summer. It was very nice because the weather was good and we swim every day.”
Why this scores Band 6:
Mostly simple sentences
Grammar mistake (we swim → we swam)
Meaning is still understandable
⚠️ Band 5 (Modest User – Limited Grammar Control)
✔ Mostly short, simple sentences ✔ Many errors (verb tenses, word order, articles) ✔ Tries complex grammar but often wrong ✔ Sometimes hard to understand
Example (Writing Task 2): “Many people like travel. They think is good for relax. But is expensive.”
Why this scores Band 5:
Basic sentences with missing words (They think is good)
Grammar mistakes (for relax → to relax)
Meaning is partially unclear
❌ Band 4 & Below (Limited User – Major Grammar Problems)
✔ Only very basic sentences ✔ Constant grammar mistakes ✔ Very hard to understand ✔ Almost no complex grammar
Example (Speaking Part 1): “I student. I like study English. Teacher good.”
Why this scores Band 4:
No sentence structure
Missing verbs (I student → I am a student)
Extremely limited grammar
Comparing Band 5 VS Band 7
Band 5
Band 7
“Technology is important for education. Many school use computer now. It help student learn better because they can find information easy. But some people think is bad because student not talk to teacher. I agree technology is good but must be careful.”
“Technology plays a crucial role in modern education. Most schools now use computers, which help students learn more effectively as they can access information easily. However, some argue that this reduces face-to-face interaction with teachers. While I believe technology benefits education, it should be used carefully to avoid negative effects.”
💡 Pro Tip: Even if you are at Band 6 now, improving your grammar can help you reach Band 7 or 8!
Teacher: Welcome! Let me explain IELTS writing bands using houses…
Band 5
Band 7
Band 9
Band 5 Problems:
Simple sentences (“I think technology good”)
Missing grammar (“Many student use phone”)
No linking words (“First reason. Second reason.”)
Band 7 Improvements:
Complex sentences (“Although technology has benefits…”)
Correct grammar (“students use phones”)
Good connectors (“However, in contrast, furthermore”)
Band 9 Mansion:
Perfect grammar and punctuation
Sophisticated sentence structures
Seamless transitions between ideas
.ielts-house-story {
font-family: ‘Segoe UI’, Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif;
max-width: 700px;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 20px;
background-color: #f5f5f5;
border-radius: 10px;
box-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
}
.story-container {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
gap: 20px;
}
.dialogue-box {
background-color: #e3f2fd;
padding: 15px;
border-radius: 8px;
min-height: 80px;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
}
.whiteboard {
background-color: white;
border: 15px solid #d3d3d3;
border-radius: 5px;
min-height: 300px;
display: flex;
justify-content: center;
align-items: center;
position: relative;
padding: 20px;
}
.house {
position: relative;
width: 180px;
height: 180px;
margin: 0 20px;
transition: all 0.3s ease;
}
.walls {
background-color: #d7ccc8;
width: 100%;
height: 60%;
position: absolute;
bottom: 0;
border: 3px solid #8d6e63;
}
#band5-house .walls {
border-style: dashed;
background-color: #efebe9;
}
.roof {
position: absolute;
width: 120%;
left: -10%;
height: 30%;
top: 10%;
background-color: #8d6e63;
clip-path: polygon(0% 100%, 50% 0%, 100% 100%);
}
#band5-house .roof {
background-color: #a1887f;
border-top: 3px dashed #5d4037;
}
.door {
position: absolute;
bottom: 0;
left: 50%;
transform: translateX(-50%);
width: 30%;
height: 40%;
background-color: #5d4037;
}
#band5-house .door {
background-color: #8d6e63;
border: 2px dashed #5d4037;
}
.window {
position: absolute;
width: 20%;
height: 20%;
background-color: #bbdefb;
border: 2px solid #64b5f6;
}
#band5-house .window {
border: 2px dashed #64b5f6;
}
.walls .window:nth-child(2) {
left: 15%;
top: 20%;
}
.walls .window:nth-child(3) {
right: 15%;
top: 20%;
}
.crack {
position: absolute;
width: 80%;
height: 3px;
background-color: #d32f2f;
left: 10%;
top: 40%;
transform: rotate(-5deg);
}
.label {
position: absolute;
bottom: -25px;
width: 100%;
text-align: center;
font-weight: bold;
color: #5d4037;
}
.pool {
position: absolute;
width: 60%;
height: 15%;
background-color: #4fc3f7;
bottom: -20px;
left: 20%;
border-radius: 0 0 50% 50%;
}
.grammar-points {
background-color: white;
padding: 15px;
border-radius: 8px;
}
.point h3 {
color: #5d4037;
margin-top: 0;
}
.navigation {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
}
.navigation button {
padding: 8px 16px;
background-color: #5d4037;
color: white;
border: none;
border-radius: 4px;
cursor: pointer;
}
.navigation button:hover {
background-color: #3e2723;
}
.navigation button:disabled {
background-color: #bcaaa4;
cursor: not-allowed;
}
.hidden {
display: none;
}
/* Rain effect */
.rain {
position: absolute;
width: 100%;
height: 100%;
pointer-events: none;
}
.drop {
position: absolute;
width: 2px;
height: 15px;
background: linear-gradient(transparent, #4fc3f7);
animation: rain 1s linear infinite;
opacity: 0.6;
}
@keyframes rain {
0% { transform: translateY(-100px); }
100% { transform: translateY(300px); }
}
/* Responsive */
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.house {
width: 120px;
height: 120px;
margin: 0 10px;
}
}
document.addEventListener(‘DOMContentLoaded’, function() {
const storyText = document.getElementById(‘story-text’);
const prevBtn = document.getElementById(‘prev-btn’);
const nextBtn = document.getElementById(‘next-btn’);
const band5House = document.getElementById(‘band5-house’);
const band7House = document.getElementById(‘band7-house’);
const band9House = document.getElementById(‘band9-house’);
const band5Points = document.getElementById(‘band5-points’);
const band7Points = document.getElementById(‘band7-points’);
const band9Points = document.getElementById(‘band9-points’);
const story = [
“Teacher: Let me explain IELTS writing bands using houses…”,
“Ali: Teacher, why did I get Band 5? I wrote many sentences!”,
“Teacher: Look at this Band 5 house structure…”,
“Ali: So my writing is like a broken house?”,
“Teacher: Exactly! Now compare it to a Band 7 structure…”,
“Ali: Wow! Band 7 is like a complete house that won’t collapse!”,
“Teacher: With more practice, you can reach Band 9!”,
“Ali: (Next week) Look teacher! Now my house has a swimming pool!”,
“Teacher: Remember – small grammar fixes lead to big score jumps!”
];
let currentStep = 0;
function updateScene() {
storyText.textContent = story[currentStep];
// Hide all houses and points first
band5House.classList.add(‘hidden’);
band7House.classList.add(‘hidden’);
band9House.classList.add(‘hidden’);
band5Points.classList.add(‘hidden’);
band7Points.classList.add(‘hidden’);
band9Points.classList.add(‘hidden’);
// Show appropriate elements based on step
if (currentStep <= 3) {
band5House.classList.remove('hidden');
band5Points.classList.remove('hidden');
// Add rain effect when Ali realizes it's broken
if (currentStep === 3) {
addRainEffect(band5House);
} else {
removeRainEffect();
}
} else if (currentStep <= 5) {
band7House.classList.remove('hidden');
band7Points.classList.remove('hidden');
removeRainEffect();
} else {
band9House.classList.remove('hidden');
band9Points.classList.remove('hidden');
removeRainEffect();
}
// Update button states
prevBtn.disabled = currentStep === 0;
nextBtn.disabled = currentStep === story.length – 1;
// Scroll to top smoothly
document.getElementById('story-top-anchor').scrollIntoView({
behavior: 'smooth',
block: 'start'
});
}
function addRainEffect(house) {
removeRainEffect();
const rain = document.createElement('div');
rain.className = 'rain';
// Create 30 rain drops
for (let i = 0; i 0) {
currentStep–;
updateScene();
}
});
nextBtn.addEventListener(‘click’, function() {
if (currentStep < story.length – 1) {
currentStep++;
updateScene();
}
});
// Initialize
updateScene();
});
