Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-09-05

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 5.5)

In many countries, their are not enough students to choosing science stream at university. Because they think science is a difficult subject for them. In addition, they are believe if they choose science subject, they will fail in the exam. As a result, countries have no more scientists and engineers.

In the causes, students think science is a difficult subject for them. Because, they face many difficulties to solve hard questions in science. In addition, students feel bored to solve hard sums and formulas. Also, they do not like to practice more questions for exam. As a result, students feel fear of choosing science stream. For example, In a survey, students choose another fields rather than science in India. Because they think choosing a science stream may put pressure on them. Also, students need to solve hard mathematics sums and other formulas.

As a result, country have no more scientists and engineers if students does not like to choose science stream. Sometimes, country suffer from new technologies and inventions due to lack of scientists and engineers because all students like other streams rather than science. In addition, young students are the future of country. For example, country remain behind from other countries because their students do not like choose science and other technologies stream.

In conclusion, students feel fear for choosing science stream because they feel pressure from hard sums and complex formulas. As a result, it effects on country like, it remain behind from other countries in technology and inventions. Students should choose science stream without feel fear. In addition, teachers should motivated them for studying science.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the causes (difficulty, pressure, boredom) and the effects (lack of innovation, falling behind). However, the development is somewhat repetitive. For instance, the idea that science is 'difficult' and involves 'hard sums' is repeated across multiple paragraphs without adding new depth. While the example regarding India is relevant, the explanation of the effects remains quite general. To reach a higher band, you should aim to explore the implications of a lack of scientists more thoroughly, perhaps discussing the economic or healthcare consequences, rather than simply stating that countries will 'remain behind'.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical and repetitive. You frequently start sentences with 'In addition' or 'As a result', which makes the flow feel somewhat stilted. Furthermore, referencing is occasionally unclear; for example, in the third paragraph, 'country' is used without an article ('a country' or 'countries'), and the connection between the lack of students and the specific 'new technologies' mentioned is not fully articulated. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring better pronoun referencing would improve the logical flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band. You rely on basic descriptors like 'hard', 'difficult', and 'bored'. There is also some awkward phrasing, such as 'students feel fear of choosing' and 'students feel fear for choosing', which are not natural collocations. To improve, try to incorporate more academic vocabulary related to education and societal development, such as 'rigorous', 'intimidating', 'technological advancement', or 'academic pressure'. The current range is sufficient to convey meaning but does not demonstrate the flexibility needed for a band 6.5 or higher.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text that occasionally impede readability. Common issues include subject-verb agreement ('students does not like', 'country suffer'), article usage ('country have no more', 'the future of country'), and sentence structure ('their are not enough students to choosing'). While you attempt some complex sentences, they often contain errors, such as 'In addition, they are believe if they choose science subject, they will fail'. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, specifically subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles, before attempting more complex structures.

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

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