Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-09-18

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, fewer students are choosing to study science at university. This trend can be attributed to several factors, including the perceived difficulty of scientific subjects and the attraction of alternative careers. It can have serious consequences for society, particularly in terms of technological development and the availability of skilled professionals.

One major reason for the declining interest in science is that subjects such as physics, chemistry and biology are often considered difficult and demanding. Students may need to spend many years studying complicated theories and completing practical work before they can enter their chosen profession. As a result, some young people prefer subjects that they believe are easier to study or offer a more direct route into employment. For example, a student who performs well in mathematics may choose business or finance instead of physics because these fields are perceived to provide better financial rewards with less specialised training.

Another important factor is the perception that scientific careers are less attractive than careers in areas such as business, technology or entertainment. In some societies, students are encouraged to choose professions that provide high salaries and social status. If scientists and researchers are poorly paid compared with professionals in other sectors, students may have little motivation to pursue science at university. A lack of effective career guidance can also mean that young people are unaware of the variety of opportunities available to science graduates.

This situation can have several negative effects on society. First, a shortage of science graduates can result in a lack of qualified professionals, such as doctors, engineers, laboratory researchers and environmental scientists. This may make it more difficult for countries to address important problems. For instance, a shortage of scientific researchers could slow the development of new medicines or technologies needed to deal with diseases and climate change.

Furthermore, fewer students studying science may reduce a country's ability to innovate and compete economically. Modern economies depend heavily on scientific research and technological advancement. If there are not enough skilled scientists, countries may become increasingly dependent on foreign expertise and technology. This could limit economic growth and make it more difficult to solve long-term challenges independently.

In conclusion, the decline in the number of students choosing science is mainly caused by the perceived difficulty of these subjects, the attraction of alternative careers and inadequate career guidance. Its effects include shortages of skilled professionals and slower scientific and technological progress. Governments and educational institutions should therefore make science careers more attractive and provide students with better information about the opportunities available in these fields.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by clearly identifying both the causes and the societal effects of the decline in science students. Your position is well-developed throughout the essay. For example, in the second paragraph, you clearly articulate why subjects like physics and chemistry are perceived as difficult, pointing to 'complicated theories and completing practical work.' You then extend this idea logically by contrasting it with more direct routes into employment like business or finance. Similarly, the effects on society are thoroughly explored in the fourth and fifth paragraphs, where you discuss specific impacts such as a shortage of doctors, engineers, and researchers, and how this slows down the development of new medicines and technologies. The ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples, demonstrating a high level of task fulfillment. Therefore, this response meets the requirements for a Band 8.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically structured with clear progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with the introduction of causes and effects, moving to specific causes such as perceived difficulty and career attractiveness, and then transitioning smoothly to societal effects in the fourth and fifth paragraphs before concluding. Cohesive devices are used effectively and naturally without being intrusive, such as 'One major reason,' 'Another important factor,' 'Furthermore,' and 'In conclusion.' Paragraphing is used skillfully to separate different aspects of the prompt. Referencing and substitution are handled very well, as seen in phrases like 'This situation can have several negative effects.' The overall logical flow is well-managed from beginning to end, matching the Band 8.0 descriptors for Coherence and Cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible lexical resource that is well-suited to an academic discussion. Throughout the text, you utilize less common and topic-specific vocabulary with good control, such as 'attraction of alternative careers,' 'specialised training,' 'social status,' 'environmental scientists,' and 'technological advancement.' There are only occasional minor inaccuracies or less precise collocations, but these never impede communication. While you do not frequently push into the most sophisticated or rare idiomatic language required for a Band 8 or 9, your vocabulary is sufficiently broad, precise, and natural to earn a solid Band 7.0. Words are spelled correctly and used in appropriate academic contexts, such as 'economic growth' and 'inadequate career guidance.'

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good variety of complex sentence structures, incorporating conditional clauses, relative clauses, and participial phrases effectively. Examples include 'Students may need to spend many years studying complicated theories and completing practical work before they can enter their chosen profession' and 'If scientists and researchers are poorly paid compared with professionals in other sectors, students may have little motivation to pursue science at university.' The majority of your sentences are error-free, showing good control over grammar and punctuation. While there are a few minor slips or slightly repetitive structural patterns in places, your control over complex forms is consistent and communication is always crystal clear. This performance aligns comfortably with the Band 7.0 descriptors for Grammatical Range and Accuracy.

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