No — Band 7 allows some errors. What matters is using a range of structures with errors that rarely cause misunderstanding.
IELTS Grammar: Verb Tenses
A range of accurate tenses is essential for Band 7+. Mix tenses to show time relationships clearly.
The rules with examples
- Present simple for facts and general truths: “Water boils at 100°C.”
- Past simple for finished actions (vital in Task 1): “Sales rose in 2020.”
- Present perfect for changes up to now: “Prices have increased recently.”
- Future forms for predictions: “Cities will become more crowded.”
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mixing past and present in the same description of a finished trend.
- Using present simple where past simple is needed for completed events.
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