Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-08-16

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 the past few years, there has been a noticeable surge in the number of students heading towards fields that are not linked to medical and scientific studies. Rather, people have been gravitating towards various other careers. There are many reasons for why this many happen, such as the introduction of newer fields in universities, which I will elaborate on with more detail in this essay. This essay will also discuss the effects this shift may have on society, both positive and negative.

There are many reasons for the rise of this peculiar trend but I believe the leading reason would be that students are more compelled to follow their passions as opposed to listening to society's expectations. Many people, especially those from older generations, will insist that there is no better field than medicine for its great rewards and salaries. However, for some, it may not be a primary passion. They may hold deeper love in the hearts for art or engineering. This is especially prominent now with the rise of newer fields that open up even greater opportunities for students. This may include studies in Artificial intelligence, which has become a popular topic of research in the past decade. For those reasons, rising seniors shift their focus and go down a path that may not be linked to science at all.

The subsequent effects of this trend are inevitable. As more people turn a blind eye to medical careers, fewer students will be seen studying sciences and medicine. In the future, this may lead to a shortage in the number of workers in medical institutions, which will definitely cause great issues for everyone. This change is quite likely, especially with how difficult these careers tend to be. However, there are also positive outcomes that can be highlighted, too. With more students following their passions rather than set expectations, they are more likely to be happier doing what they've always wanted to do. They will not feel forced into a career that doesn't suit them. Instead, they will feel more compelled to do well in that class as it will not feel like a burden but rather an exploration of a hobby or an interest. In that sense, this shift may bring about greater satisfaction within society.

In conclusion, several students have begun exploring careers outside of science and medicine, the result of multiple factors such as the increased number of pathways and opportunities. Subsequently, several changes have been recorded, including the shortage of workers in medical fields, but greater contentment overall.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the causes for the decline in science students and the effects on society. The position is clear throughout. The ideas are relevant, such as the influence of personal passion versus societal expectations and the potential for a shortage of medical professionals. However, the development of ideas could be more nuanced; for instance, the link between 'newer fields' and the decline in science is mentioned but could be explored with more specific examples beyond just AI. Overall, the response is well-structured and fulfills the requirements of the task effectively, providing a balanced view of both the negative and positive consequences.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'However,' 'In that sense,' and 'Subsequently' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the causes from the effects. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions could be slightly more sophisticated to reach a higher band, but the current usage is sufficient to ensure a clear and logical progression throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally appropriate and allows for clear communication. There is a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic, including terms like 'peculiar trend,' 'inevitable,' and 'contentment.' The student attempts to use less common items, though some phrasing is slightly repetitive or could be more precise (e.g., 'heading towards fields' or 'turn a blind eye'). There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede meaning. To improve, the student should focus on using more academic collocations and varied synonyms to demonstrate a wider range of lexical flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are grammatically accurate, and the punctuation is generally correct. There are occasional minor errors, such as 'There are many reasons for why this many happen' (should be 'might happen'), but these do not impede communication. The control of complex structures is evident, and the majority of the writing is error-free. The student shows a solid grasp of grammar, which is consistent with a band 7 level, as the errors are infrequent and do not detract from the overall clarity of the argument.

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

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