Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-08-29

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 5.0)

In many countries most of the students are unable to get admission in science subjects. This is a big problem of many countries.

The main cause is that merit are high so students are not eligible to get admission in science subjects due to low percentage in intermediate. However, most of the students are often considered science as difficult subject so they would not get admission in it. Subjects such as physics, chemistry and biology require strong analytical skills, regular study and practical work however students must choose those subjects that will be easier to complete. Another important factor is the growing popularity of careers in business, digital marketing, media and information technology. These fields may appear to offer better salaries and more flexible career oppournity.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response4.0
Coherence and Cohesion5.0
Lexical Resource5.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.0

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, reaching only 126 words. Consequently, the task is only partially addressed. While the essay identifies some causes for the lack of interest in science, it completely fails to address the second part of the prompt: the effects on society. The ideas presented are underdeveloped and lack the necessary depth or examples required for an academic essay. To improve, you must ensure you address every part of the prompt and expand your arguments with supporting evidence and logical consequences to meet the length requirement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is organized into two short paragraphs, but the progression of ideas is limited due to the brevity of the text. There is an attempt to use cohesive devices such as 'However' and 'Another important factor', but the overall structure is underdeveloped. The lack of a clear introduction and conclusion makes the essay feel like a collection of points rather than a cohesive argument. To improve, focus on using a wider range of linking words and ensure each paragraph has a clear topic sentence followed by supporting details.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for basic communication but lacks the range and precision expected at higher levels. You rely on simple phrasing, such as 'big problem' and 'difficult subject'. There are also minor errors in word choice and form, such as 'merit are high' (should be 'merit requirements are high') and 'career oppournity' (spelling error). To achieve a higher band, you should incorporate more academic collocations and precise terminology related to education and societal trends, while ensuring accurate spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The sentence structures are predominantly simple, with limited attempts at complex sentences. There are several grammatical errors that affect clarity, such as 'most of the students are often considered science as difficult subject' (passive/active confusion) and 'merit are high' (subject-verb agreement). Punctuation is generally functional, but the lack of complex structures limits your ability to demonstrate grammatical control. To improve, practice using subordinate clauses and varied sentence patterns, and pay closer attention to subject-verb agreement and article usage.

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

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