What coherence and cohesion actually mean
The criterion has two halves. Coherence is the big picture: can the reader follow your line of thought from start to finish? It comes from the order of your ideas, your paragraphs and a clear main point in each one. Cohesion is the small picture: the ties that join one sentence to the next.
Linking words such as however and therefore are only one kind of tie. The others are reference (this, it, such, the latter pointing back to something you already said), substitution (ones, do so, the same replacing a word you would otherwise repeat) and a sensible key noun carried through the paragraph. Most of the cohesion in a strong essay is invisible: the reader simply never gets lost.
What the band descriptors say at bands 5 to 8
Coherence and Cohesion, Writing Task 2 (short quotes and paraphrase)
| Band | Organisation and paragraphs | Linking devices | Reference and substitution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | "Information and ideas are logically sequenced"; "Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately." | "cohesion is well managed"; only occasional lapses | Not described separately: part of cohesion being well managed |
| 7 | "a clear progression throughout the response"; paragraphs "generally used effectively to support overall coherence" | a range of devices used flexibly, "but with some inaccuracies or some over/under use" | First band to expect a range used flexibly: "A range of cohesive devices including reference and substitution" |
| 6 | "a clear overall progression", but "the central topic may not always be clear" | "faulty or mechanical due to misuse, overuse or omission" | "may lack flexibility or clarity", causing some repetition or error |
| 5 | "not wholly logical"; "Paragraphing may be inadequate or missing." | "There may be limited/overuse of cohesive devices with some inaccuracy." | Writing "may be repetitive" because reference and substitution are weak |
IELTS Writing Band Descriptors, Task 2 (ielts.org, updated May 2023), PDF pages 7–8. Task 1 uses near-identical linking and reference wording (pages 3–4).
Read the table from the bottom up and a pattern appears. At band 5 the sentences are not fluently linked. At band 6 the links exist but feel mechanical. At band 7 a range of devices, including reference and substitution, is used flexibly. At band 8 the whole thing is simply well managed. No band sets a number of linkers, and too few is marked down as well as too many ("omission" at band 6, "some over/under use" at band 7). The target is the right link, not more links.
Mechanical linking vs natural flow
Here is a Task 2 body paragraph of the kind examiners see every day. It answers a question about whether cities should spend more on cycle lanes. Count the linkers, then ask whether each one tells the truth about how the two sentences relate.
Firstly,no second many cities are building cycle lanes. Moreover, cyclinglist is good for health. Furthermore,list it reduces traffic. In addition,list cycling is cheap. However, some people do not like cycling. On the other hand,wrong logic the government should build more cycle lanes. Moreover, cycle lanesrepeat are good for the environment. Therefore,does not follow cycle lanes are important.
- → Eight sentences, eight linkers: every one attracts attention, the opposite of the band 9 wording.
- → Moreover, Furthermore and In addition all just mean 'and', so the paragraph is a list with no progression.
- → On the other hand should introduce the opposing side, but the sentence after it returns to the writer's view.
- → However raises an objection that is never answered; Therefore only restates the position.
Cycle lanes are one of the cheapest ways a city can reduce congestion.topic A single lane takes up less room than a car lane yetreal contrast can carry far more people at rush hour, which matters mostclause link on narrow central streets. This is not only a transport gainreference: commuters who cycle build exercise into their day without setting aside extra time. Some drivers object that the laneskey noun slow traffic, butreal contrast that objectionreference tends to weaken once enough people switch to bikes and the roads themselves become quieter.
- → One central topic (cost and congestion), then a reason, a second benefit and a counter-point answered.
- → Only two classic linkers (yet and but), both inside a sentence and both marking a real contrast. The rest of the cohesion comes from reference, a relative clause and the key noun.
Notice what changed. The writer did not swap Moreover for a fancier word such as Additionally. They chose one main idea, put the points in an order where each grows out of the last, and let pointing words do the joining. That is what "a clear progression" looks like on the page.
Linkers that say the wrong thing
✗ Public transport is cheap. On the other hand, it is also better for the environment.
✓ Public transport is cheap, and it is also better for the environment.
On the other hand signals the opposite side. Both sentences point the same way, so a simple and (or no linker) is accurate.
✗ Online courses are flexible. Moreover, many students find them isolating.
✓ Online courses are flexible, but many students find them isolating.
Moreover adds a point in the same direction. Isolation is a drawback, so the honest link is a contrast.
Referencing and substitution: this, such, the latter
Reference words point back to something you have already said. They are powerful because they join sentences without announcing it, but each one must have exactly one thing it can point to. If the reader has to guess, cohesion breaks. Substitution does a similar job by replacing a word or phrase so you do not repeat it.
Many firms now let staff work from home two days a week. This arrangementthis + noun saves commuting time, but it alsoone candidate makes informal learning harder, because junior employees no longer overhear how senior colleagues solve problems. Such learningsuch is hard to replace with video calls. Firms that want to keep their flexibility without losing that daily mentoringsummary noun could ask each team to share the same office days.
- → This arrangement, not bare This: a summary noun tells the reader exactly what is being picked up.
- → it can only sensibly mean the arrangement, the subject of the same sentence: nothing else in play could make learning harder.
- → Such learning points back to informal learning and reuses the key word, which keeps the topic steady.
- → Firms is repeated on purpose. Repeating a key noun is fine; repeating because you cannot refer back is what the band 5 and 6 descriptors describe.
Reference and substitution done wrong
✗ Councils fund museums and libraries, but young people rarely use this.
✓ Councils fund museums and libraries, but young people rarely use them.
this is singular and cannot point back to two plural nouns. them can.
✗ Students can live in halls, rent privately or stay with family. The latter is the cheapest.
✓ Students can live in halls, rent privately or stay with family. Staying with family is the cheapest.
The latter means the second of exactly two. With three options, name the one you mean.
✗ Some towns have banned cars from their centres. Such policy is popular with shop owners.
✓ Some towns have banned cars from their centres. Such a policy is popular with shop owners.
Such before a singular countable noun needs a: such a policy, or use the plural such policies.
✗ Many people want to retire early, but few can afford to retire early.
✓ Many people want to retire early, but few can afford to do so.
do so substitutes the whole verb phrase, so the sentence links back without repeating itself.
Paragraphing and progression: the coherence half
Cohesion joins sentences; coherence decides whether the joined sentences add up to an argument. The Task 2 descriptors move from paragraphing that "may be inadequate or missing" at band 5, to a central topic that "may not always be clear" at band 6, to ideas within a paragraph whose sequencing is "generally logical" at band 7 (PDF pages 7–8).
BandLadder advice: a four-step paragraph test
- 1
One job. Write the paragraph's point in five words. If you need two separate points, you need two paragraphs.
- 2
First sentence. Make the first sentence state that point, so the reader knows where the paragraph is going.
- 3
Each step grows. Order the rest so each sentence explains, supports or limits the one before: claim, reason, example, consequence.
- 4
Delete test. Remove every linking word at the start of a sentence. Put back only the ones whose absence makes the logic unclear.
The delete test is the fastest fix for an over-linked essay. Most removed linkers are not missed, because the order of your ideas already shows the connection. The few you put back now do real work, which is what "used flexibly" means in practice. For whole essays to study, see the Task 2 samples.
When you practise Task 2 on BandLadder, BandLadder AI scores Coherence and Cohesion as its own criterion, so you can check whether the delete test moves that score on your next essay.
Your turn: quick check
Answer each question, then reveal the answer.
- Which second sentence uses the latter correctly?
- A. We compared trains, buses and trams. The latter were cheaper.
- B. We compared trains and buses. The latter were cheaper.
- C. We only looked at trains. The latter were cheaper.
Show answer
We compared trains and buses. The latter were cheaper.
The latter needs exactly two things just named. The first option names three; the third names one.
- A body paragraph opens six of its seven sentences with Moreover, Furthermore or In addition. Which descriptor wording does that describe?
- A. "cohesion is well managed" (band 8)
- B. "faulty or mechanical due to misuse, overuse or omission" (band 6)
- C. "Paragraphing is skilfully managed" (band 9)
Show answer
"faulty or mechanical due to misuse, overuse or omission" (band 6)
A linker on almost every sentence is overuse, and repeating additive linkers is what mechanical cohesion looks like.
- "Public transport is cheap. On the other hand, it is better for the environment." What is wrong?
- A. It signals a contrast, but both sentences give advantages.
- B. It cannot start a sentence.
- C. it should be they.
Show answer
It signals a contrast, but both sentences give advantages.
On the other hand marks the opposite side, so it misleads here. It can start a sentence, and it correctly refers to public transport.
- "Rents in the centre have doubled and many families have moved out." Choose the clearest next sentence.
- A. This has emptied local schools.
- B. It has emptied local schools.
- C. This exodus has emptied local schools.
Show answer
This exodus has emptied local schools.
This and It could each point to the rent rise or the move. The summary noun exodus leaves only one target.
BandLadder questions
Practise it now
Use the method on original BandLadder questions. Attempt them free and see your score.
Questions
FAQ
How many linking words should I use in IELTS Writing?+
There is no target number. The band descriptors reward cohesive devices used flexibly and accurately, and they name overuse as a weakness at bands 5, 6 and 7, alongside under-use and omission. Use a linker only where it states the real relationship between two ideas.
What is the difference between coherence and cohesion in IELTS?+
Coherence is whether the whole response is logically organised and easy to follow: the order of ideas, paragraphing and a clear central topic. Cohesion is how sentences are tied together: linking words, reference such as this and the latter, and substitution such as one and do so.
How can I improve coherence and cohesion towards band 7?+
The band 7 descriptor asks for a clear progression, paragraphs that support overall coherence, and a range of cohesive devices including reference and substitution, used flexibly. In practice: one main point per paragraph, fewer sentence-opening linkers, and pointing words with one clear target.
Is using Moreover and Furthermore bad in IELTS?+
No. They are fine where they add a point in the same direction. The problem is using them by formula at the start of most sentences, which the band 6 descriptor describes as mechanical cohesion.
Sources
- IELTS Writing Band Descriptors, Task 2, Coherence and Cohesion (ielts.org, updated May 2023): ~/bandladder-sources/ielts-writing-band-descriptors.txt, PDF pages 7–9 (bands 3–9; quotes from bands 5–9 on pages 7–8)
- IELTS Writing Band Descriptors, Task 1, Coherence and Cohesion (ielts.org, updated May 2023): ~/bandladder-sources/ielts-writing-band-descriptors.txt, PDF pages 3–5 (linking and reference wording; paragraphing at bands 8–9 only, page 3)
- IELTS scoring in detail: Writing (ielts.org): https://ielts.org/take-a-test/your-results/ielts-scoring-in-detail
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