Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-08-26

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)

In many countries, fewer students are choosing to study science at university. This trend is caused by several factors, including the difficulty of science subjects, and limited financial rewards in some scientific careers. It can have serious consequences for society, particularly by creating shortages of skilled professionals and slowing scientific and technological progress.

One major reason is that science subjects are often perceived as difficult and demanding. Students studying physics, chemistry, biology or mathematics usually have to spend many hours on practical work, experiments and complex theoretical concepts. As a result, some young people prefer subjects such as business, media or social sciences, which they may consider easier or more flexible. Another important factor is the financial incentive. In some countries, scientists and researchers earn less than professionals in fields such as finance, law or technology. Therefore, students who are concerned about future income may choose degrees that appear to offer better career opportunities.

This decline can have significant effects on society. The most immediate consequence is a shortage of qualified scientists, doctors, engineers and researchers. This can make it harder for countries to address major challenges such as climate change, disease and energy shortages. For example, the rapid development of vaccines and medical treatments depends heavily on a large and highly trained scientific workforce. If fewer young people enter these professions, progress in such areas may slow down.

In conclusion, the decline in the number of university students choosing science is mainly caused by the perceived difficulty of these subjects and the attraction of better-paid or more flexible careers. Its effects are potentially serious because it can lead to shortages of skilled professionals and reduce a country's ability to innovate. Governments should therefore make science education more attractive by providing scholarships, improving career guidance and offering better financial incentives for scientific careers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt: the causes (perceived difficulty and financial incentives) and the effects (shortages of professionals and slowed innovation). The position is clear from the introduction and is maintained throughout the essay. Each paragraph provides relevant, well-developed ideas, such as the specific mention of medical advancements as a consequence of scientific progress. The conclusion effectively synthesizes the main points and offers a logical recommendation. The response is balanced, focused, and directly answers the prompt without any irrelevant information.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the causes and effects is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'As a result', 'Another important factor', and 'The most immediate consequence' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The flow is natural, and the relationship between sentences is clear throughout the text, meeting the criteria for a high band score in this category.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for an academic context. The student uses a range of topic-specific terminology such as 'theoretical concepts', 'financial incentive', 'qualified scientists', and 'innovate'. The word choices are accurate and demonstrate a good level of sophistication. While the vocabulary is consistently strong, it stops just short of the 'wide range of less common items' required for a band 8 or 9, but it is well above the band 6 level. The language is natural and contributes to the clarity of the argument.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses ('If fewer young people enter...') and participial phrases. The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of information. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over complex structures is consistent, and the writing style is formal and appropriate for the task.

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

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