Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-07-30

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 6.5)

The number of students choosing to study science at the university level is lower than it should be which is an issue in many countries. In this essay, I will first discuss what has led to this issue then I will talk about some of its effects on society.

To begin, some students prefer choosing to study courses that will earn them easy entry into the job market. A student is more likely to choose a job with high employability rates such as nursing or teaching than taking a risk on science-related jobs which are not as marketable. Students also factor-in course difficulty when selecting what to study. Science-related courses are arguably more difficult and demanding as compared to skill-related jobs which might discourage the student as they prefer sailing smoothly through university. Science-related courses are also more expensive and parents might encourage their children to choose a course that will be less of a financial burden on them. For example, my friend could have easily taken medicine in university as he had performed really well in high school but chose to pursue teaching as his parents could not afford the school fees. This are just a few of many reasons why students are staying away from science-related courses at university.

This issue has led to dire effects on society as a science-less society is doomed to fail. A society without enough doctors and nurses will surely fall behind in the healthcare sector which might lower its life expectancy. Engineers are also needed in society as they are responsible for improving infrastructure and

In conclusion, students are avoiding science-related courses in university as they are expensive, demanding and are less likely to be employed due to science

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses both parts of the prompt (causes and effects). However, the essay is incomplete; the second body paragraph is cut off mid-sentence, and the conclusion is also unfinished. This prevents the full development of ideas, particularly regarding the effects on society. While the causes are discussed with relevant examples, the failure to complete the response significantly impacts the overall task achievement. To reach a higher band, you must ensure that all parts of the prompt are fully developed and that the essay reaches a logical conclusion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay uses basic cohesive devices such as 'To begin' and 'In conclusion' to signal structure. Paragraphing is attempted, but the abrupt ending of the second body paragraph and the incomplete conclusion disrupt the flow of the argument. The progression of ideas is logical in the first paragraph, but the lack of completion in the latter half of the essay makes the overall coherence feel fragmented. To improve, focus on completing your thoughts within each paragraph and ensuring that the conclusion provides a clear summary of the main points discussed.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with phrases like 'employability rates', 'financial burden', and 'science-related courses'. However, the range is somewhat limited and repetitive. There are instances where word choice could be more precise, such as 'sailing smoothly' which is slightly informal for an academic essay. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey meaning, but there is a lack of less common or more sophisticated lexical items that would demonstrate a higher level of control. Expanding your range of academic collocations would be beneficial.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'This are just a few' (subject-verb agreement) and the run-on structure in the first sentence. While these errors do not generally impede communication, they are noticeable. The range of structures is limited, and the incomplete sentences at the end of the text make it difficult to assess your ability to handle more complex grammatical forms consistently. Focus on proofreading for basic agreement errors and ensuring your sentences are complete.

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