Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-08-05

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 7.5)

Science has always played a crucial role in improving people's quality of life and driving economic growth. Nevertheless, in many countries, fewer students are choosing science-related degrees at university. This trend can largely be attributed to the demanding nature of these subjects and changing career preferences, and it may have serious consequences for both technological progress and society as a whole.

One of the main reasons behind this decline is that science courses are widely regarded as academically challenging. Unlike many other disciplines, they require students to develop strong analytical skills, master complex theories, and spend long hours conducting experiments or carrying out research. Consequently, many young people are discouraged from pursuing these subjects and instead opt for degrees that they perceive to be less stressful. Another significant factor is the growing popularity of careers in fields such as finance, business, and digital marketing, where graduates often enjoy attractive salaries and quicker career progression. As a result, many students believe that these alternatives offer a better return on the time and effort invested in higher education.

The consequences of this trend are far-reaching. Perhaps the most serious impact is the shortage of qualified scientists, researchers, and engineers, all of whom are essential for innovation. Scientific breakthroughs in areas such as medicine, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence depend on highly skilled professionals. If fewer students choose science, progress in these fields is likely to slow, reducing a country's ability to solve complex global challenges and remain internationally competitive. Furthermore, industries that rely heavily on scientific expertise may struggle to recruit capable employees, leading to labour shortages and lower productivity. In the long run, this could weaken economic growth and reduce the quality of healthcare, infrastructure, and technological development.

In conclusion, the declining number of science students is primarily the result of the demanding nature of scientific study and the appeal of alternative career paths that are perceived to offer greater financial rewards. Unless governments and educational institutions take effective measures to encourage young people to pursue science, society risks facing a shortage of skilled professionals and a significant slowdown in innovation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly identified two primary causes—the academic difficulty of science subjects and the allure of more lucrative career paths—and provided a well-developed analysis of the societal effects, such as the shortage of innovation and potential economic stagnation. The position is clear from the introduction and maintained consistently throughout the essay. Ideas are well-supported with logical explanations, and the response demonstrates a strong understanding of the task requirements. To reach the highest band, you could further enhance the depth by providing a specific, concrete example of a country or industry currently experiencing these exact challenges to ground your arguments in real-world evidence.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, and the transition between the causes and the effects is seamless. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Nevertheless', 'Consequently', 'Furthermore', and 'In the long run', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The flow is natural, and the relationship between sentences is always clear. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive linking, making the text easy to follow and professional in its structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the academic context. Phrases like 'demanding nature', 'quicker career progression', 'far-reaching', and 'internationally competitive' show a sophisticated command of language. The word choices are precise and contribute to the clarity of your arguments. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is used naturally throughout the text. You successfully avoid repetition by using synonyms and varied terminology, which indicates a strong lexical foundation suitable for high-level academic writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and conditional structures (e.g., 'If fewer students choose science, progress... is likely to slow'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. The grammar is consistently accurate, and there are no slips that impede communication. You have successfully integrated various sentence types to maintain a formal and academic tone. The writing is polished, and the grammatical control is consistent throughout the entire response, reflecting a high level of proficiency.

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