Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-08-09

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)

In many countries, an increasing number of students are choosing not to pursue science at university. This essay will examine the main reasons for this trend and consider its potential consequences for society.

First of all, one significant reason is the perceived difficulty of scientific disciplines. Subjects such as, physics, chemistry and biology often require students to develop strong analytical, mathematical and problem-solving skills. Consequently, students who are less confident in this area may not opt for disciplines that they regard as more accessible. Another contributing factor is the perceived disparity between academic effort and career rewards. Many people believe that degrees in business, finance or other professional fields can lead to more lucrative and flexible careers, making science appear less attractive despite its importance.

On the other hand, the decline in science graduates can have serious implications for society. Most notably, it may result in a shortage of qualified scientists, engineers and researchers, potentially slowing technological and medical advancement. Scientific research is essential for addressing major global challenges, including climate change, infectious diseases and energy security. A reduced pool of scientific talent could therefore limit a country's ability to develop innovative solutions to such problems.

In conclusion, students may be turning away from science because they perceive it as demanding and believe that alternative field offer more attractive career prospects. Nevertheless, a sustained decline in science graduates could hinder technological progress, create skills shortage and reduce a country's capacity to address complex global challenges.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The essay addresses both parts of the prompt: causes and effects. The ideas are relevant and logically developed, such as the mention of perceived difficulty and career rewards. However, the response is 245 words, which is slightly under the 250-word minimum requirement. This under-length impacts the depth of development, as the arguments could have been further extended with specific examples to fully meet the criteria for a higher band. While the position is clear throughout, the brevity prevents a more comprehensive exploration of the issues.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the causes from the effects. Cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'Another contributing factor', 'On the other hand', and 'Most notably' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the argument. The progression of ideas is logical and easy to follow. The use of referencing is generally accurate, contributing to a coherent flow of information throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. You demonstrate a good range of topic-specific language, such as 'scientific disciplines', 'analytical', 'lucrative', and 'technological advancement'. There is some flexibility in word choice, and the meaning is consistently clear. While there are no major errors, the range is not particularly wide or sophisticated enough to reach the highest bands. The use of 'alternative field' in the conclusion contains a minor grammatical error (should be plural 'fields'), but this does not impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. For example, the use of conditional-like structures and relative clauses ('students who are less confident...') shows good control. Most sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is generally accurate. There is a minor error in the conclusion where 'alternative field' should be 'alternative fields', and a slight punctuation error in the second paragraph ('Subjects such as, physics...'), where the comma after 'as' is unnecessary. These are minor slips that do not affect the overall clarity of your writing.

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.