Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-08-28

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, the declining number of university students choosing science-related subjects is a growing concern. This trend is mainly caused by the perceived difficulty of scientific disciplines and the attraction of alternative careers. It can have serious consequences for society, particularly in terms of innovation and economic development.

One major reason is that science courses are often considered academically demanding. Subjects such as physics, chemistry and biology require strong analytical skills, extensive study and, in many cases, practical training. Consequently, students who want less demanding or more flexible degrees may choose fields such as business, media or humanities instead. Another factor is the perceived financial appeal of other careers. Many young people believe that careers in technology, finance or management offer faster career progression and higher salaries, whereas scientific professions can require several years of further education before providing substantial financial rewards. In addition, inadequate careers guidance may prevent students from understanding the long-term opportunities available in scientific fields.

This decline can have far-reaching effects on society. Most importantly, a shortage of science graduates may reduce a country's capacity for research and technological innovation. Scientists are essential for developing new medicines, improving energy systems and addressing environmental challenges. If fewer young people enter these professions, countries may become increasingly dependent on foreign expertise and struggle to solve domestic problems independently. Furthermore, shortages of qualified science professionals can weaken key sectors such as healthcare, engineering and environmental management, potentially slowing economic growth.

In conclusion, students are increasingly avoiding science because of its demanding nature, limited perceived financial rewards and insufficient career guidance. Unless this trend is reversed, societies may face shortages of skilled professionals and reduced scientific innovation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt: the causes (perceived difficulty, financial appeal, and lack of guidance) and the effects (reduced innovation, dependency on foreign expertise, and economic slowdown). The position is clear from the introduction and is maintained throughout. Ideas are well-developed with logical explanations, such as the link between a lack of science graduates and the inability to solve domestic problems independently. The response is balanced and provides a comprehensive overview of the issue, meeting all requirements of the task effectively.

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. Cohesive devices such as 'consequently', 'another factor', 'in addition', and 'furthermore' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the argument. The flow of information is natural, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The vocabulary is precise and well-suited to the academic context. The student uses a range of topic-specific terminology such as 'scientific disciplines', 'analytical skills', 'technological innovation', and 'domestic problems'. The word choices are accurate and demonstrate a good level of sophistication, such as 'far-reaching effects' and 'substantial financial rewards'. There are no spelling errors, and the collocations are natural throughout the text, indicating a strong command of academic English.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'If fewer young people enter these professions, countries may become...'). The control over punctuation and sentence structure is excellent, with the majority of sentences being error-free. There is a good mix of simple and complex forms, and the grammar is consistently accurate, which allows the reader to follow the argument without any difficulty. The writing is polished and shows a high level of grammatical control.

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