Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-09-28

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 6.5)

The declining interest in science courses among university students is a global concern, and I believe this is a significant issue with far-reaching consequences. Several reasons contribute to this trend, and its effects on society are alarming.

Firstly, science subjects are often perceived as more challenging and time-consuming compared to other disciplines. Students are required to invest considerable effort in conducting experiments, completing projects, and understanding complex theories. For instance, a biology student may spend countless hours in labs, leaving little room for leisure or extracurricular activities. This makes science less appealing than business-related fields, which are perceived as more manageable. Secondly, the job market plays a critical role. Science graduates often face limited employment opportunities, discouraging students from pursuing such fields. Many prefer disciplines like economics or management, which promise a broader range of job prospects.

The decline in science students has serious implications for society. A shortage of skilled professionals in science-based industries can hinder technological advancements. For example, fewer scientists in research and development could slow innovation, affecting industries like healthcare and technology. Furthermore, the overemphasis on business-related fields may saturate those job markets, leading to higher unemployment rates among graduates and increasing societal pressure.

In conclusion, the difficulty of science courses and the lack of career opportunities contribute to the decline in students pursuing these subjects. This trend threatens technological progress and economic stability, making it imperative to address this issue urgently.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The student addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both the causes (perceived difficulty of courses and limited job market prospects) and the effects (hindered technological advancements and saturated business job markets) on society. The position is clear throughout the response, and the ideas are extended and supported with relevant explanations and examples, such as biology students spending hours in labs. However, there is a penalty applied because the word count is 236 words, falling short of the mandatory 250-word minimum specified in the task instructions. Consequently, while the content itself is well-developed, the length requirement has not been met, which restricts the overall task achievement score. To reach a higher band, the student must ensure that they write at least 250 words to avoid this automatic penalty.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a clear overall logical organization and progression throughout. Information and ideas are coherently structured, starting with an introduction, moving to causes in the second paragraph, effects in the third, and a concise concluding summary. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central theme. Cohesive devices are employed adequately to connect ideas, such as using 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'For instance', and 'Furthermore'. Referencing is generally clear and easy to follow. Although some of the transitions are slightly standard, the flow of the essay is well-managed and meets the criteria for Band 7, as the logical progression and cohesive management support the communication of ideas effectively without causing confusion for the reader.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary that allows for flexibility and precision when discussing academic and societal topics. Expressions such as 'far-reaching consequences', 'time-consuming', 'extracurricular activities', 'economic stability', and 'technological advancements' show a good command of less common lexical items with an appropriate academic style. Word choice and collocation are generally accurate throughout the essay. There are occasional minor lexical limitations, but they do not impede communication. The vocabulary used is more than adequate for the task, allowing the student to articulate complex ideas related to education and the job market quite clearly and effectively, aligning comfortably with a Band 7 level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The writing exhibits a good variety of complex sentence structures, including conditional or participial clauses and subordinate structures like 'Students are required to invest considerable effort in...' and 'Many prefer disciplines like economics or management, which promise a broader range...'. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the student demonstrates good control of grammar and punctuation. There are no noticeable systemic errors that impede communication. The grammatical range is varied enough to handle abstract ideas about society and education with precision, making the grammatical execution quite strong and consistent with an upper-intermediate to advanced profile.

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