Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-08-24

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 7.0)

Several countries, fewer students are choosing to study science at university. This trend can be caused by the difficulty of science subjects and students which may have several negative effects on society.

One major reason for this decline is that science subjects can be challenging and require considerable effort. Students often need to study complex theories and develop strong skills in mathematics, laboratory work and problem-solving. As a result, some young people may choose subjects that they consider less demanding or more enjoyable. Another reason is that students may believe that other fields offer better career opportunities or higher salaries. For example, a student who is interested in technology may choose business or computer-related courses instead of a traditional science degree because they expect to find employment more easily after graduation.

This decline can have serious effects on society. One important consequence is a shortage of qualified scientists and researchers. Scientists play an essential role in areas such as medicine, environmental protection, agriculture and technological development. If fewer students enter these fields, countries may have difficulty replacing older professionals and developing new scientific solutions. For example, a shortage of researchers could reduce a country's ability to develop new medical treatments or respond effectively to environmental problems. In the long term, this could also affect economic growth because scientific research contributes to innovation and the development of new industries.

In conclusion, the declining number of students studying science can be caused by the difficulty of these subjects and concerns about career opportunities. This trend may result in shortages of scientists and researchers and could slow scientific and technological progress. Therefore, universities and governments should encourage more young people to consider careers in science.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: causes (difficulty of subjects, career/salary perceptions) and effects (shortage of professionals, economic impact). The ideas are relevant and logically extended with clear examples, such as the mention of medical and environmental fields. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more nuanced analysis, perhaps by discussing how the 'difficulty' of science is perceived differently across cultures or by exploring the long-term societal implications beyond just economic growth. Overall, the task is fully addressed with well-developed supporting points.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and ideas flow smoothly from one to the next. Cohesive devices such as 'One major reason', 'Another reason', and 'In the long term' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the causes from the effects. The progression of ideas is clear throughout, making the text easy to follow. The use of referencing is generally accurate, contributing to a coherent and well-structured response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses topic-specific terminology such as 'technological development', 'qualified scientists', and 'innovation' correctly. There is an attempt to use less common items, and the word choices are generally precise. While the range is adequate, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic expressions to demonstrate a higher level of lexical flexibility. However, the current range is more than sufficient to convey ideas clearly and accurately without any noticeable errors in word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is a high level of accuracy, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Complex structures, such as conditional sentences ('If fewer students enter these fields, countries may have difficulty...') and relative clauses, are used effectively. Punctuation is generally accurate, and there are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. To achieve a higher band, the student could incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical forms, such as passive voice constructions or inversion, to show greater flexibility.

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