Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-08-27

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, an increasing number of university students are choosing subjects other than science. This trend can be attributed to several factors, particularly students’ career preferences and the perceived difficulty of scientific disciplines. It may also have serious consequences for society, including shortages of skilled professionals and slower technological development.

One major reason for the decline in the popularity of science is that many students are attracted to fields that appear to offer clearer or more immediate career opportunities. Subjects such as business, finance, law and information technology are often perceived as providing better salaries and greater job flexibility. In addition, science courses can be demanding because they require students to develop strong mathematical and analytical skills. The amount of study involved may therefore discourage some young people, especially when they believe that they can achieve similar financial success through less demanding subjects. Another contributing factor is the way science is taught at school. If students are exposed mainly to theoretical concepts rather than practical experiments, they may fail to develop an interest in the subject.

This trend can have significant effects on society. The most immediate consequence is a shortage of qualified scientists, engineers and researchers. These professionals are essential for addressing major challenges such as climate change, energy production and public health. If too few young people enter scientific careers, countries may become increasingly dependent on foreign expertise and technology. Furthermore, a shortage of researchers can slow innovation. For example, advances in areas such as renewable energy, medical treatments and artificial intelligence depend heavily on a sufficient supply of scientifically trained professionals. In the long term, this could weaken a country's economic competitiveness.

In conclusion, the declining interest in university science courses is largely caused by students’ preference for apparently more attractive careers, the demanding nature of scientific study and inadequate exposure to practical science. If this trend continues, societies may face a shortage of skilled professionals and reduced capacity for technological and economic progress.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly identified multiple causes, such as career preferences, the perceived difficulty of science, and the nature of school instruction. Furthermore, you have articulated the effects on society, including the shortage of skilled professionals and the potential for economic stagnation. The position is clear throughout, and the ideas are well-developed with relevant examples, such as mentioning specific fields like renewable energy and artificial intelligence. The structure is balanced, ensuring that both the causes and effects are given sufficient attention, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

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 the effects is smooth. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In addition', 'Furthermore', and 'In the long term', which help to guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is logical, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a concise conclusion. The referencing is precise, and the flow of information is natural throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'scientific disciplines', 'technological development', 'analytical skills', and 'economic competitiveness' show a high level of precision. The word choice is consistently accurate, and there are no noticeable errors in collocation. You successfully use less common lexical items to express complex ideas clearly, which contributes to the overall sophistication of the essay. The language is natural and fits the formal tone required for this task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You effectively use complex sentences, such as conditional structures ('If students are exposed...', 'If too few young people enter...') and relative clauses ('These professionals are essential for addressing major challenges...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to enhance clarity. There is a good mix of simple and complex forms, and the control over tense and agreement is consistent throughout the response. The writing is fluent and error-free.

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