Have you ever finished an essay and then realised you had written about something slightly different from the question? That is called going off topic, and in IELTS Writing Task 2 it is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make.
The tricky part is that off-topic essays are often well written. The grammar and vocabulary can be excellent, but if the essay does not answer the exact question, your score drops. Here is what off topic means, how much it can cost you and five simple steps to make sure it never happens to you.
What does “off topic” mean in IELTS Writing?
Writing off topic means your essay is about the general subject of the question, but does not answer the specific question that was asked. It can be completely off topic or, much more often, partly off topic.
Answers the exact question
Question: “Technology has made communication between people less personal. Do you agree or disagree?”
The essay gives a clear opinion on whether technology makes communication less personal, with reasons and examples.
Writes about the general subject
Same question.
The essay describes how communication technology has developed, from letters to smartphones, or lists the advantages of the internet, but never says whether communication has become less personal.
How does going off topic affect your band score?
Your essay is marked on four criteria, each worth 25%: Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Going off topic mainly hits Task Response, which measures how fully and directly you answer the question. See how IELTS Writing Task 2 essays are checked for the full picture.
| How far off topic | Likely effect on Task Response |
|---|---|
| One part of the question ignored (e.g. you discuss only one view in a “discuss both views” essay) | Usually limited to around band 5, because the task is only partly addressed |
| Tangential: about the general topic, but not the question | Around band 4 or lower |
| Barely related to the question | Band 2–3 |
| Completely unrelated, or a memorised essay | As low as band 1 for Task Response, and memorised text is not counted |
A beautifully written essay that misses the question can score lower than a simpler essay that answers it fully. Answering the exact question comes first.
Why candidates go off topic
- Reading the question too fast and reacting to the topic word (“technology”) instead of the actual question (“less personal?”).
- Using a memorised essay on a similar topic and hoping it fits.
- Skipping the plan, so ideas drift further from the question with each paragraph.
- Answering only part of the question, for example giving causes but no solutions.
How to avoid going off topic: 5 steps
- Underline the key words Mark the topic (what it is about), the focus (the exact angle) and the instruction (what you must do). In our example: topic = technology and communication; focus = less personal; instruction = agree or disagree.
- Identify every part of the question Some questions have two parts, such as “What are the causes, and what can be done?” or “Discuss both views and give your opinion.” Write each part in the margin of your plan so none is forgotten.
- Rephrase the question in your own words If you can explain the question in one simple sentence, you have understood it. “Do I think phones and the internet make our conversations less personal?”
- Plan for 5 minutes before you write Write your opinion and one main idea per body paragraph. Check each idea against the question: does it answer the focus, or only the topic?
- Check the first sentence of every paragraph After writing, read the topic sentences only. Each one should clearly relate back to the question. If one does not, fix it before you run out of time.
Practise this with real questions from our IELTS Writing Task 2 guide. Underlining and planning take only a few minutes, and they protect a quarter of your Writing score.
Writing off topic: FAQ
Quick answers to the questions people ask most.
What does off topic mean in IELTS?
It means your essay does not answer the specific question you were given, even if it is about the same general subject.
What band score do you get for an off-topic essay?
It depends on how far off topic it is. Partly answering the question usually limits Task Response to around band 5, a tangential answer to around band 4 or lower, and a completely unrelated essay can be as low as band 1 for Task Response.
Can I use a memorised essay in IELTS Writing?
No. Examiners recognise memorised essays, and memorised text is not counted. It usually leads to a very low score.
How do I stay on topic in IELTS Writing Task 2?
Underline the key words, identify every part of the question, plan for about five minutes and check that each paragraph answers the question.