Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-11-13

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In many countries not enough students are choosing to study science at university. What are the causes of this? What effects does it have on society?

Give reasons for your answer and include relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

In many parts of the world, not many students prefer studying science in their bachelor's degree. I believe the reasons are the difficluty level of science and lack of resources at schools to make science interesting.

The first reason is that students find science a difficult subject which they studied in their high school. For example, there are many fancy terms and laws that students has to remember without even knowing their actual meaning. Theory makes science boring and hard to understand for some students. Furthermore, there are not enough resources available in many schools which make science interesting. On the name of practical, students come to know of a few acids and chemicals and mix them in the lab to observe some reactions. It makes chemistry a little interesting but what about physics and biology.

There could be many negative effects on society if students stop studying science. First of all, there will not be any new invention occuring which can make life more easier. This planet is having many problems global warming, for an instance, we need solution for this problem, but if there is not any scientist working on this problem how can it be solved.

Overall, to solve this problem, schools need to focus on making science easier for students to understand.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address both causes and effects, identifying difficult theory and limited school resources as reasons, and a shortage of scientific innovation as a social consequence. The example of global warming helps make the effect relevant. However, the response is only 216 words, below the required 250, and this limits how fully you can explain your ideas. The causes are stated but not explored in depth—for instance, you could explain why scientific study seems difficult or how better practical facilities might change students’ choices. The effects section is especially brief and focuses mainly on inventions and climate solutions. Your final sentence offers a recommendation rather than developing the effects further. Extend each main point with explanation and a specific example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a coherent overall arrangement: an introduction, a paragraph on causes, a paragraph on effects, and a concluding sentence. Signposts such as “The first reason,” “Furthermore,” and “First of all” make the main stages easy to follow. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes abrupt. The shift from chemistry to “what about physics and biology” raises a point without explaining it, and the effects paragraph moves quickly from inventions to global warming. The conclusion also introduces a solution rather than clearly summarising the discussion. Develop links between each claim and its explanation, and use referencing or transitions to show how examples support the central point. This would make cohesion less dependent on formulaic signposting.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “resources,” “practical,” “reactions,” “invention,” and “global warming,” so the main ideas are generally understandable. There are also attempts at more specific phrasing, such as “fancy terms and laws,” although “fancy” is too informal and imprecise in this context. Some word choices and collocations are awkward, including “on the name of practical,” “more easier,” and “This planet is having many problems.” Spelling errors such as “difficluty” and “occuring” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise academic expressions and check spelling carefully; for example, describe limited laboratory facilities rather than saying there are not enough resources to “make science interesting.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple sentences and some longer structures, including a relative clause in “a subject which they studied in their high school” and a conditional idea about what might happen if students stop studying science. Meaning is usually clear, but some errors occur in agreement, articles, and sentence construction. For example, “students has to remember” should use a plural verb, while “there will not be any new invention occuring” needs a more accurate plural construction. The sentence beginning “This planet is having many problems global warming” also needs clearer punctuation and grammatical linking. “More easier” uses an incorrect comparative form. Practise checking subject–verb agreement and building complex sentences with clear clause boundaries, while retaining the range of structures you already attempt.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.