Band 7 Vocabulary, Band 6 Coherence Trap
Task 2 · Lexis vs flow · May 2026
The Band 7 vocabulary / Band 6 coherence trap is stuffing impressive words into paragraphs that do not connect. You deploy mitigate, ramifications, and holistic while ideas jump topic to topic with no clear line. Examiners reward precise lexis only when reference chains and paragraph logic work. Fancy tokens in disjointed flow often cap both Lexical Resource and Coherence. Fix flow first—topic sentence, one idea, explicit link—then upgrade word choice inside stable sentences.
Signals you have Band 7 words, Band 6 flow
Vocabulary vs coherence mismatch
| Trap | Why it fails |
|---|---|
| Word-list essays | Tokens correct; argument unclear |
| Synonym hunting | Five words for one idea; no progression |
| Memorised chunks | Band 9 phrase in Band 6 syntax |
| Long noun piles | Hard to read; weak subject–verb links |
Flow-first upgrade pattern
Draft with plain verbs. One paragraph = one claim + because + example. Add one precise collocation per theme—not per sentence. Read aloud: if you cannot paraphrase the link between sentences, cohesion is still Band 6. Pair with coherence markers overuse and connected ideas without linking.
Key takeaways
- Lexis points need clear paragraph logic behind them.
- One linker per move beats linker lists.
- Upgrade words inside stable sentences—not before flow works.
- Read aloud: if ideas jump, fix cohesion before synonyms.
FAQ
Check whether your essay has Band 7 words but Band 6 paragraph flow.
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