Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-09-04

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)

Students often consider selecting subjects besides science when going to university. Several students prioritise subjects like finance, arts or even languages. The following essay will explore the reasons behind this trend, as well as its influence on society's progress.

There are certain considerable reasons behind the students picking other streams rather than science. Fields such as finance, languages and arts provide substantial growth opportunities which are the primary motivators for students. Furthermore, there is a global stigma that categorises science as an exceptionally arduous field of study which essentially scares away the students towards less intimidating study fields. For example, if students are discouraged against science since middle school, they are more probable to select non-science fields like the abovementioned.

This shift away from science carries significant consequences for society as a whole. As fewer students pursue scientific disciplines, the pool of future researchers, engineers, and innovators shrinks remarkably, which can slow the pace of scientific advancement and technological progress. Without a steady base of skilled scientists, existing research may go unchallenged or stagnant, allowing flawed methodologies or outdated theories to persist longer than they otherwise would. For example, critical fields such as medicine and environmental science rely on continuous scientific scrutiny to identify errors and improve outcomes, in which a shortage of qualified professionals in these areas risks stalling progress precisely when innovation is most needed.

In conclusion, students increasingly favour fields like finance, arts, and languages due to better career prospects and the stigma surrounding science's difficulty. This shift risks slowing down technological progress and allowing errors in existing research to persist, posing a genuine challenge to society's long-term advancement.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses both parts of the prompt—causes and effects—clearly and logically. The introduction sets a clear scope, and the body paragraphs provide relevant reasons (career prospects and perceived difficulty) and consequences (shortage of innovators and stagnation of research). The ideas are well-developed, particularly the link between a lack of scientific scrutiny and the persistence of flawed methodologies. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific, real-world examples beyond general references to 'medicine' or 'environmental science' to further strengthen the depth of the argument.

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 'Furthermore', 'For example', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The flow is natural, and the relationship between sentences is clear. The essay demonstrates a high level of control over the structure, making it easy to follow the writer's line of reasoning from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for an academic context. The student uses a range of sophisticated terms such as 'exceptionally arduous', 'stagnant', 'scientific scrutiny', and 'qualified professionals'. The collocation is generally natural, and the writer demonstrates an ability to use less common lexical items effectively. There are no significant errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication. The range is sufficient to convey complex ideas with clarity and precision, fitting well within the criteria for a high band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('if students are discouraged... they are more probable to select...') and relative clauses. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the grammar is controlled throughout. There are very few minor slips, such as 'scares away the students towards', which is slightly awkward, but these do not impede meaning. Punctuation is accurate, and the overall grammatical control is strong, reflecting a high level of proficiency in constructing complex academic arguments.

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