错误五：字数不够

字数不够，即在规定时间内（40分钟）没有达到文章字数要求（至少250单词）。字数不足250单词，文章最高将不会超过5.5分，这在《剑8》Test 2和《剑7》Test 4提供的考生答卷中均有体现。
产生该问题的原因主要有：1. 观点数量少；2. 不知道观点如何展开；3. 写作速度太慢。那么，要在规定时间内满足字数要求，考生需要想出足够多的观点，学习如何展开观点，熟练运用复杂句并提高写作速度。接下来我们将分析如何满足以上要求：
首先，考生需要想出足够多的观点。为此，很多考生会搜集各种网站所做的“写作预测”，从而提前准备观点。需要提醒考生的是不要盲目相信各种“预测”，预测题目可以练习使用，但目的是更好地提升写作水平；相反，若把所有精力集中在预测题目上，并背诵相关内容，最终很有可能会被当作模板处理，而对于使用模板或者是含有大量语言记忆片段的文章，最高分数不会超过5分。所以，建议考生积累观点要走“正道”即：1. 扩大阅读面。阅读中文相关内容也可以有效地增加考生的背景知识。2. 积累同类话题的通用观点。
在文章总字数要求不变的情况下，每个段落观点数量越多，意味着支持句的数量就可以相应地减少。如果一个段落中含有两个观点，那么每个观点句展开一个支持句就满足字数要求了，
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类）
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)
如果一个段落只有一个观点，在保持段落字数不变的情况下，支持句的数量就要相应地增加，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类）
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，在观点较少的情况下，能否将观点充分地展开成为满足字数要求的关键所在。