Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

In many countries, fewer students are choosing science-related subjects at university. This is becoming a serious concern because science plays an important role in the development of society. There are several reasons for this trend, and it can have some negative effects on society.

One major reason is that many students consider science subjects difficult and stressful. Subjects such as physics, chemistry and biology require a strong understanding of complex concepts and regular study. As a result, students may prefer subjects such as business, arts or social sciences, which they believe are easier to study. Another reason is that some science careers do not appear attractive to young people because they may require many years of education and training. In addition, students may be more interested in careers that provide higher salaries and faster employment opportunities.

This trend can have several negative effects on society. Firstly, a shortage of science graduates can lead to a lack of doctors, scientists, engineers and researchers. These professionals are essential for improving healthcare, technology and environmental protection. Secondly, fewer students studying science may slow down scientific research and innovation. For example, countries need qualified scientists to develop new medicines, improve technology and find solutions to environmental problems. If there are not enough skilled people in these fields, a country may become dependent on other nations for scientific knowledge and technological development.

In conclusion, the main causes of fewer students choosing science are the difficulty of these subjects, long educational requirements and the attraction of other careers. However, this situation can negatively affect society by creating a shortage of skilled professionals and slowing scientific and technological progress. Therefore, governments and universities should encourage more young people to study science by providing better career guidance, scholarships and practical learning opportunities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, identifying both causes (perceived difficulty, long training, salary expectations) and effects (shortage of professionals, slowed innovation, dependency). The position is clear throughout, and the ideas are well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of healthcare and environmental protection. The structure is logical, and the argument is sustained from the introduction to the conclusion. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more nuanced analysis or specific real-world examples to further extend the arguments, but the current response fully satisfies the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the causes and effects is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'One major reason', 'In addition', 'Firstly', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different sections of the response. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between ideas is consistently clear throughout the text, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses subject-specific terminology such as 'scientific research', 'innovation', 'technological development', and 'qualified scientists' correctly. While the range is adequate, it lacks some of the more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations that would characterize a band 8 or 9 response. However, there are no significant errors in word choice or spelling, and the language used is precise enough to convey the intended meaning clearly and effectively throughout the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'If there are not enough skilled people in these fields, a country may become dependent on other nations for scientific knowledge and technological development.' The punctuation is accurate, and the sentence construction is generally error-free. While the range of complex structures is solid, it could be further expanded with more varied subordinate clauses or advanced passive constructions to reach the highest band. Overall, the writing is clear, accurate, and easy to follow.

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

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