Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

In many countries, an insufficient number of students choose science-related subjects at university. This trend has become a growing concern because science plays a crucial role in technological progress, healthcare, and economic development. In my opinion, the main causes are the perceived difficulty of science courses and the attraction of other fields, while the consequences include skill shortages and slower innovation.

One important reason is that science subjects are often considered difficult and demanding. Students must spend a great deal of time studying mathematics, laboratory work, and complex theories. As a result, many young people prefer subjects that seem easier or offer more immediate rewards. For example, business, marketing, and media studies are frequently viewed as less academically challenging.

Another factor is the belief that science careers are less financially attractive than professions such as finance, law, or technology management. In some countries, scientists and researchers receive relatively modest salaries despite requiring many years of education. Consequently, students may choose careers that appear to provide higher incomes and faster promotion.

This shortage of science graduates can have several negative effects on society. First, industries may struggle to recruit qualified engineers, researchers, and science teachers. A lack of skilled professionals can reduce productivity and increase dependence on foreign expertise. Second, scientific innovation may slow down. Fewer researchers mean fewer discoveries in medicine, renewable energy, and environmental protection. During public health crises, for instance, countries with a strong scientific workforce are generally better able to develop treatments and respond effectively.

In conclusion, the declining interest in university science courses is mainly caused by their difficulty and the perceived advantages of other careers. If this trend continues, societies may face shortages of skilled workers and a reduction in scientific and technological progress. Governments and universities should therefore encourage science study through scholarships, career guidance, and improved employment opportunities for graduates.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt: the causes (perceived difficulty and financial unattractiveness) and the effects (skill shortages and slower innovation). The position is clear from the introduction and is maintained throughout the essay. Each paragraph provides relevant, well-developed ideas, such as the mention of specific fields like business and media as alternatives, and the impact on public health crises. The response is balanced and demonstrates a strong understanding of the requirements, providing sufficient support for all arguments presented.

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 'As a result', 'Another factor', 'Consequently', and 'For instance' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs focusing on causes and effects respectively, and a concise conclusion. The flow of information is natural and easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for an academic context. The student uses a good range of topic-specific terminology, such as 'technological progress', 'academic challenge', 'scientific workforce', and 'renewable energy'. The collocations are generally natural, and there is an attempt to use less common lexical items effectively. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the tone well, it remains consistently functional rather than highly sophisticated or idiomatic. Nevertheless, it is more than sufficient to convey complex ideas with precision and clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a strong command of grammatical structures. There is a good mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the use of conditional structures ('If this trend continues...') and relative clauses. Punctuation is accurate, and the sentence construction is consistently error-free. The majority of sentences are complex, and the control over verb tenses and subject-verb agreement is excellent. There are no noticeable grammatical errors that impede communication, and the writing style is formal and well-suited to the task.

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