字數不夠
字數不夠，即在規定時間內(40分鐘)沒有達到文章字數要求(至少250單詞)。字數不足250單詞，文章最高將不會超過5.5分，這在《劍8》Test 2和《劍7》Test 4提供的考生答卷中均有體現。
產生該問題的原因主要有：1. 觀點數量少;2. 不知道觀點如何展開;3. 寫作速度太慢。那麼，要在規定時間內滿足字數要求，考生需要想出足夠多的觀點，學習如何展開觀點，熟練運用複雜句並提高寫作速度。接下來我們將分析如何滿足以上要求：
首先，考生需要想出足夠多的觀點。爲此，很多考生會蒐集各種網站所做的“寫作預測”，從而提前準備觀點。需要提醒考生的是不要盲目相信各種“預測”，預測題目可以練習使用，但目的是更好地提升寫作水平;相反，若把所有精力集中在預測題目上，並背誦相關內容，最終很有可能會被當作模板處理，而對於使用模板或者是含有大量語言記憶片段的文章，最高分數不會超過5分。所以，建議考生積累觀點要走“正道”即：1. 擴大閱讀面。閱讀中文相關內容也可以有效地增加考生的背景知識。2. 積累同類話題的通用觀點。
在文章總字數要求不變的情況下，每個段落觀點數量越多，意味着支援句的數量就可以相應地減少。如果一個段落中含有兩個觀點，那麼每個觀點句展開一個支援句就滿足字數要求了，如：Charity organizations should give aid to people in the greatest need, wherever they are from, or help people in their own countries. Discuss both views and give your opinion. (2010年1月9日A類)
Opponents of charity organizations only giving aid domestically, however, contend the assistance should be open to people in need no matter where they are from. To start with, it is the functionality of charity organizations to render help to those who are in great need, regardless of their nationalities. Otherwise, it may be considered as going breach of the purposes they are established for. What is more, not only can international charity assistance enhance the friendship of two nations, but also help eliminate the conflicts and misunderstandings, thereby stimulating the cultural exchanges between countries. (94words)
如果一個段落只有一個觀點，在保持段落字數不變的情況下，支援句的數量就要相應地增加，如：Some people think that foreign tourists abroad should be charged more than local people to visit a country’s cultural and historical attractions. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (2011年4月30日A類)
The reason that I oppose to the above view is the unfairness and inequality this proposal may conduce to. As is known to all, historic attractions are owned by all human beings and should be shared by people from all over the world equally and without discrimination. Once this proposal being implemented, an unfavorable impression of this country would be formed in no time. There is a fear that foreign travelers may never come again. Neither do their friends nor those who gain this negative information. And this will inevitably lead to a vicious circle. (95words)
因此，在觀點較少的情況下，能否將觀點充分地展開成爲滿足字數要求的關鍵所在。
其次，如何展開一個觀點，關鍵在於是否能夠靈活運用論證方式。常用的論證方式包括：解釋(explanation)，延伸(extension)，舉例(exemplification)和對比(contrast)等，如：
A lot of innovations are made with the aim of making money for a few. This is because it is the rich and powerful people in our society who are able to impose changes (such as in working conditions or property developments) that are in their own interests. (第二句爲解釋論證)(《劍6》Test 4)
My view is that young people should be encouraged to broaden their horizons. That is the best way for them to get a clear perspective of what they are hoping to do with their lives and why. (第二句爲延伸論證) (《劍5》Test 2)
To do this, we need to improve the choice of public transport services available to travelers. For example, if sufficient sky train and underground train systems were built and effectively maintained in our major cities, then traffic on the roads would be dramatically reduced.(第二句爲舉例論證)(《劍8》Test 3)
The reasons for this trend may involve the recognition that a young adult who passes directly from school to university is rather restricted in terms of general knowledge and experience of the world. By contrast, those who have spent some time earning a living or traveling to other places, have a broader view of life and better personal resources to draw on. (第二句爲對比論證)(《劍5》Test 2)
最後，提高寫作速度，其關鍵在於“固定”。要想在那麼短的時間內，在考場上高度緊張的狀態下寫出滿足字數要求同時又非常優秀的文章來，的確是非常困難的，但是雅思考官曾講過，考場上任何一篇優秀文章中的每一個單詞都是經過精心準備的。因此，要想保證字數同時又保證質量，考前精心的準備和設計是非常必要的。如：
固定開頭段
The late 20st century witnessed the every surging boom of advanced technology, which has brought attention to a heated debate concerning whether housework should be accomplished manually.
The late 20st century witnessed the ever surging boom of the world population, which has brought attention to a heated debate concerning whether people should be encouraged to move into skyscrapers.
固定常用句型
引導觀點或者解釋論證
It is a widely held perception that…
It is a commonly shared convention that…
舉例子
A great case in point is that…
延伸論證
So…that…
對比論證
主語+should/would/could/might + do +其他+ if +主語+did/be(were) +其他
連接兩個觀點
Not only…but also…
注意：文章中固定下來的內容，尤其是開頭段、結尾段和文中的一些固定句型，最好不要摘自比較流行的輔導參考書，避免被考官認爲是抄襲或者模板。因此，考生需要自己總結或者在閱讀國外期刊雜誌以及相關網站原版內容的過程中不斷積累，同時還要保證固定內容不能超出自身英語水平太高，否則，被考官認定是語言記憶片段的可能性較大。把固定下來的內容運用熟練，就可以有效地提高寫作速度，從而滿足字數要求。