Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-09-13

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 modern times, a growing number of countries are facing a situation where fewer university students choose to major in science subjects. This essay will discuss the main reasons behind this trend and explore the negative impacts it has on our society. There are two primary causes why students avoid studying science at higher education levels.

First of all, science subjects like physics and chemistry are widely considered to be very difficult and demanding. Many students feel that the heavy workload and complex formulas require too much effort compared to arts or business subjects. Secondly, the career path after graduating with a science degree is often seen as less attractive financially. Careers in fields like finance, marketing, or information technology usually offer higher starting salaries and quicker promotions, which discourages young people from pursuing long-term research roles in laboratories.

This shift away from science has several worrying effects on society. The most significant consequence is the slowdown in technological and medical advancement. Without enough scientists, a nation will struggle to develop new medicines, clean energy sources, or innovative technologies, which directly harms economic growth. Furthermore, society becomes heavily dependent on importing foreign experts to fill critical gaps in research and engineering sectors, leading to a loss of competitive advantage on a global scale.

In conclusion, the lack of interest in university science courses is mainly driven by the perceived difficulty of the subject and the more lucrative prospects in other fields. If this trend continues, society will suffer from a lack of innovation and an increased reliance on foreign talent. Therefore, governments should encourage more students to enter this field.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both the causes of why fewer students choose science (difficulty, demanding workload, and lower financial prospects) and the effects on society (slowdown in technological/medical advancement and reliance on foreign experts). The position is clear throughout, and the ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples and logical explanations, such as comparing science to arts, business, and information technology. This fully aligns with the Band 7 and Band 8 descriptors for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organization and progression throughout. It is divided into an introduction, two distinct body paragraphs covering causes and effects respectively, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively (e.g., 'First of all', 'Secondly', 'Furthermore', 'In conclusion'), though some referencing is slightly standard. Paragraphing is used appropriately and sufficiently to separate distinct themes. The logical flow is smooth and easy to follow, meeting the criteria for Band 7.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The writer uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with good flexibility and precision, such as 'demanding workload', 'lucrative prospects', and 'competitive advantage on a global scale'. There are also successful attempts at less common lexical items ('promotions', 'research roles', 'innovation'). Word choice is generally appropriate, and spelling is accurate throughout. The lexical range is adequate for a solid Band 7 score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response features a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses ('fields like finance... which discourages young people') and conditional forms ('If this trend continues...'). There are frequent error-free sentences, and the grammar and punctuation are under good control. Minor slips do not impede communication at all. The control of complex structures is characteristic of Band 7 performance.

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