Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-09-02

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)

zIn many countries, an insufficient number of students are choosing to study science at university. This trend can be attributed to several factors, including the perceived difficulty of science subjects and the growing popularity of other career options. As a result, society may face serious consequences, particularly in terms of technological development and the availability of skilled professionals.

One major reason why students avoid science degrees is that subjects such as physics, chemistry and mathematics are often considered difficult and demanding. Students may need to spend many hours conducting experiments, solving complex problems and understanding theoretical concepts. Consequently, some prefer subjects that they consider easier or less stressful. Another important factor is the increasing popularity of fields such as business, management, finance and information technology. These subjects are often seen as providing faster career opportunities and higher salaries. For example, many young people choose business-related courses because they believe these qualifications can help them enter the job market more quickly than a scientific degree.

This lack of interest in science can have several negative effects on society. Firstly, there may be a shortage of qualified scientists, researchers, engineers and medical professionals in the future. These professionals play an essential role in solving major problems, including climate change, diseases and energy shortages. If fewer students study science, scientific research and innovation may slow down. Secondly, countries may become dependent on foreign experts and technologies, which could negatively affect their economic development and national competitiveness. For instance, a country with too few engineers and researchers may struggle to develop new technologies and may need to import advanced knowledge from other nations.

In conclusion, the main causes of declining interest in science are its academic difficulty and the attractiveness of alternative career paths. However, this trend could lead to a shortage of skilled professionals and slower scientific and technological progress. Therefore, governments and educational institutions should encourage more students to pursue science-related subjects.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt: the causes (perceived difficulty and career prospects) and the effects (shortage of professionals and economic dependency). The position is clear throughout, and the ideas are well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of climate change and energy shortages. The structure is logical, and the response maintains a consistent focus on the task requirements. To reach a higher band, the student could provide even more specific, real-world examples or data to further substantiate the arguments, but the current level of development is already quite strong and satisfies the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'consequently', 'another important factor', and 'firstly' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a central theme. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow. The use of referencing is accurate, and the flow between sentences is natural. The response demonstrates a high level of control over the structure, making it very easy to read and understand.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for an academic context. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'technological development', 'national competitiveness', and 'scientific research and innovation'. The word choice is generally accurate and natural, demonstrating a good grasp of collocation. While the vocabulary is effective, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band. For instance, instead of 'difficult', words like 'formidable' or 'intellectually taxing' could be used. However, the current range is sufficient to convey complex ideas with clarity and precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional sentences ('If fewer students study science...') and relative clauses. The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent. To achieve a higher score, the student could incorporate a wider variety of advanced grammatical structures, such as inversion or more complex passive constructions, but the current performance is very strong and reliable.

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