IELTS Writing for Candidates stuck at Band 5.5: How to Fix Unclear pronouns and reference words

Make sure each 'this', 'it' or 'they' points to one clear noun. If the reader has to guess, repeat the noun or use 'this' plus a noun such as 'this approach'.

At a glance

For: Candidates stuck at Band 5.5
Problem: Unclear pronouns and reference words
Scoring criterion: Coherence and Cohesion
Task affected: Task 1 and Task 2
IELTS test: Academic or General Training (check your requirement)
Typical effort: a few days
First step: Underline every 'this', 'that', 'it' and 'they' in your essay.

Why this happens to candidates stuck at Band 5.5

Unclear reference breaks the chain between sentences. Writers know what 'it' means, but the reader may see two possible nouns, and cohesion suffers when referencing is faulty or ambiguous.

Why this affects candidates stuck at Band 5.5: short, simple sentences keep the score safe but limit range.

Paragraphing and referencing are basic and sometimes confusing.

A strength to build on: Basic structure is usually in place, so gains come quickly from a few focused fixes.

Fix it in four steps

Underline every 'this', 'that', 'it' and 'they' in your essay.
Draw an arrow to the noun each one refers to. If you cannot find one, rewrite the sentence.
Replace a bare 'this' with 'this' plus a noun when two things were mentioned before.
Vary reference with synonyms only when the meaning is exact.

Before and after

Before

Governments and companies invest in research and this can improve it.

After

Governments and companies invest in research, and this investment can improve public health.

Ten-minute drill: Mark all reference words in two past essays and fix any that point to more than one noun.

Questions and answers

What is the fastest way for candidates stuck at Band 5.5 to fix unclear pronouns and reference words?

Make sure each 'this', 'it' or 'they' points to one clear noun. If the reader has to guess, repeat the noun or use 'this' plus a noun such as 'this approach'. Paragraphing and referencing are basic and sometimes confusing.

How long does it take candidates stuck at Band 5.5 to fix unclear pronouns and reference words?

Most learners need a few days. Four to six weeks of steady practice on one criterion at a time gives visible movement.

Is it safe to repeat the same noun?

A little repetition is better than ambiguity. Use pronouns for clear references and repeat or substitute a noun when a pronoun could mean two things.

What is the most common referencing error?

A bare 'this' that follows a sentence with several ideas. Adding a noun after it usually fixes the problem.

What does a good practice drill look like for candidates stuck at Band 5.5?

Mark all reference words in two past essays and fix any that point to more than one noun. Four to six weeks of steady practice on one criterion at a time gives visible movement.

How can candidates stuck at Band 5.5 tell they have fixed unclear pronouns and reference words?

A reader can follow every reference word to a single noun without re-reading.

What should candidates stuck at Band 5.5 know about their IELTS Writing target?

Moving from Band 5.5 to 6.5 usually depends on answering the whole task, organising ideas into clear paragraphs and reducing errors that hinder meaning.

Should candidates stuck at Band 5.5 practise this on Task 1, Task 2 or both?

It shows up in both tasks. Fix it in Task 2 first, because Task 2 carries about twice the weight of Task 1, then check Task 1 with the same checklist. Basic structure is usually in place, so gains come quickly from a few focused fixes.

Can an AI checker help candidates stuck at Band 5.5 with unclear pronouns and reference words?

An AI checker can show where this pattern appears in your own essay and which criterion it affects, which makes the fix concrete. It gives a practice estimate, not an official IELTS score, so use it to choose the next revision, rewrite, and check again. The first check on this site is free.

Check your own essay

See where unclear pronouns and reference words appears in your own writing and which criterion it affects, then rewrite the weakest paragraph.

Run a free first check

Feedback is a practice estimate, not an official IELTS score. Last reviewed 2026-11-11. Score requirements change, so confirm them with the organisation that will read your result.