Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-08-30

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, an insufficient number of students choose science subjects at university. This essay will discuss the main reasons behind this trend and examine its negative effects on society.

There are several reasons why fewer students are interested in studying science. Firstly, science subjects are often considered difficult and demanding. Students have to understand complex theories and spend a significant amount of time conducting experiments and completing practical work. As a result, many young people prefer subjects that they believe are easier to study. Secondly, students may be more attracted to fields such as business, information technology and social media because they believe these areas offer faster career opportunities and higher salaries. For example, many students choose business-related degrees because they can find employment in a wide range of industries.

This trend can have several negative consequences for society. The most significant effect is a shortage of qualified scientists and researchers. Scientific professionals are essential for developing new medicines, improving technology and finding solutions to environmental problems. If fewer students study science, a country may struggle to make progress in these important sectors. In addition, nations may become dependent on other countries for scientific knowledge and technological developments. For instance, a shortage of medical researchers could slow down the development of treatments for serious diseases.

In conclusion, the main reasons why students avoid science subjects are their difficulty and the attraction of other career options. However, this situation can negatively affect society by creating a shortage of scientists and slowing scientific and technological progress. Therefore, governments and educational institutions should encourage more young individuals to pursue science education.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, identifying both the causes (perceived difficulty and career/salary prospects) and the effects (shortage of experts and technological stagnation). The position is clear throughout, and the ideas are logically developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of business degrees and the impact on medical research. The essay is well-structured and maintains a consistent focus on the task requirements. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more nuanced analysis or explore the 'causes' in greater depth, perhaps by discussing the role of secondary education or societal perceptions of science as a career path.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the causes and the effects is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'As a result', and 'In addition' are used effectively to link ideas. The paragraphing is logical, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The flow of information is natural, and the referencing is clear throughout the text. The use of cohesive devices is not mechanical, contributing to a smooth reading experience.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses topic-specific terminology such as 'qualified scientists', 'technological developments', and 'scientific progress' accurately. While the range is adequate, it lacks some of the more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions that would characterize a higher band. The word choice is precise, and there are no spelling errors. To improve, the student should aim to incorporate more varied collocations and less common lexical items to demonstrate a wider range of vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good control of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the use of conditional structures ('If fewer students study science, a country may struggle...') and relative clauses. The grammar is largely accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of the arguments. The writing is fluent, and the grammatical control is consistent throughout the response, which is a strong feature of this piece.

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