BAND 7 MASTERY // PREMIUM CONTENT

Band 7 Writing Task 2: The “Chain” Masterclass

Table of Contents

1. The Band 7 Mindset: Beyond the Basics
2. The “Chain” Method: Developing Deep Arguments
3. Cohesion 2.0: Referencing & Substitution
4. The Art of Concession (Admittedly… Nevertheless)
5. Academic Hedging: Avoiding Generalizations
6. Advanced Collocations for Topic Mastery
7. Structure for Complex Questions (Discussion + Opinion)
8. Refining the Thesis Statement
9. Sample Band 7 Essay Walkthrough
10. The “High-Level” Self-Review Checklist

1. The Band 7 Mindset

A Band 6 essay is clear and correct. A Band 7 essay is persuasive and sophisticated. To get a 7, you must stop listing ideas. You must develop them. One idea explained deeply is worth more than three ideas explained briefly.

2. The “Chain” Method

Band 7 students use the “Chain” to prove their points. Each sentence must be a logical step from the last.

The Formula:

1. Main Idea (The Point): “Working from home increases productivity.”
2. The “How” (Explanation): “This is because employees avoid the stress and time consumption of a daily commute.”
3. The “Result” (Development): “As a result, they can start their tasks with more energy and focus.”
4. The “Impact” (So What?): “Ultimately, this leads to a higher output for the company and a better work-life balance for the individual.”

The Result: You have turned a simple idea into a 4-link logic chain.

3. Cohesion 2.0: Referencing

Stop using “Firstly, Secondly” in every paragraph. Band 7 cohesion is internal. It happens inside the sentences using Referencing.

• Substitution: “Some people enjoy spicy food, while others (other people) prefer mild flavors.”
• The “This” Rule: “The government has increased taxes on sugar. This policy (referring to the whole previous sentence) aims to reduce obesity.”
• Synonym Links: “The problem of urban sprawl is growing. This city expansion is difficult to control.”

4. The Art of Concession

A Band 7 writer recognizes that the world is not black and white. Use Concession to show you understand both sides before you prove your point.

The “Admittedly” Structure:

“Admittedly, traditional education is expensive and time-consuming. Nevertheless, it provides a level of face-to-face interaction that online platforms cannot yet replicate.”

Useful Phrases:

• “While it can be argued that…”
• “Despite the obvious benefits of [X], I still believe that [Y]…”
• “Granted, [Topic A] has its merits; however…“

5. Academic Hedging

Never say “Always” or “Everyone.” Academic writing requires caution.

• Band 6 (Too strong): “Violent video games make children aggressive.”
• Band 7 (Hedged): “Violent video games tend to make children more prone to aggressive behavior.”

Words to use: Likely, Tends to, Arguably, Perhaps, In many cases, Potentially.

6. Advanced Collocations

Collocations are words that naturally live together. Using them is the fastest way to get a 7 in Lexical Resource.

• Social Issues: Deeply-rooted prejudice, Social inequality, Vulnerable members of society.
• Environment: Irreversible damage, Mitigate the effects, Depletion of natural resources.
• Technology: Rapid technological advancement, Seamless integration, Bridging the digital divide.
• Work: Job satisfaction, Work-life balance, Career prospects.

7. Structure for Complex Questions

Many Band 7 questions have two parts. Example: “Some people think that the government should pay for university education. Others disagree. Discuss both views and give your opinion.”

• Intro: Paraphrase + Clear Opinion.
• Body 1: Discuss the “Pro-payment” side. (Why people think it should be free).
• Body 2: Discuss the “Anti-payment” side. (Why people think students should pay).
• Conclusion: Summarize + Restate your opinion (clearly!).

8. Refining the Thesis Statement

Your Thesis Statement (the end of your Intro) must be precise.

• Weak (Band 6): “I agree with this and will explain why.”
• Strong (Band 7): “This essay will argue that while government funding for university education ensures equality, it may also lead to a decrease in the quality of teaching due to budget constraints.”

9. Sample Band 7 Essay Walkthrough

Topic: “Is it better for children to grow up in the city or the countryside?”

Body Paragraph (The “City” side):

“On the one hand, growing up in an urban environment offers unparalleled access to educational and cultural resources. Cities are typically home to the best schools, museums, and libraries, which provides children with a diverse range of learning opportunities. For instance, a child living in Oran has access to language centers and specialized sports clubs that are simply unavailable in rural villages. Consequently, these children often develop a broader skill set and a more global perspective from a young age.”

10. The “High-Level” Self-Review

Before you finish, check for these 3 things:

1. Clarity of Position: If I read your essay, is your opinion the SAME from start to finish?
2. Paragraph Balance: Are your two body paragraphs roughly the same length?
3. Vocabulary Accuracy: Did you use “Advanced” words correctly? (A wrong “big word” is worse than a correct “small word”).

Ted’s Final Tip: To get a 7, you need to read! Read the BBC, The Guardian, or Al Jazeera English. See how professional writers build their arguments. Copy their style!

Keep Going, Champion!

Remember why you started this journey. Your dreams are waiting for you.

You’ve got this!

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