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)

In today's globalized world, science plays an imperative role in shaping modern society. However, in many countries, there is a substantial decline in the number of students pursuing scientific studies. Critics continue to debate potential reasons and their underlying effects on society.

Science has long been a driving force towards creativity and innovation. However, in modern times, most people studying science in universities find it futile. The primary reason is that a vast amount of scientific knowledge is available from multiple internet sources that are easy to access. Furthermore, AI tools such as Claude and Gemini have significantly reduced the need for an expert professor. For example, I recently learned the basics of bioinformatics solely through the Internet, integrated with Claude to complete my project. In addition, it is quite challenging to establish a successful career despite investing many years in a particular field due to very high competition and oversaturation. For Instance, in Pakistan, roughly 200,000 candidates sit for the MBBS exam, while there are only 22,000 seats available.

Proponents against the idea see this as a potential threat to society. They believe that the need for researchers and scientists is evident because they play an immense role in creativity, innovation, and the economy. Imagine a world with no doctors would be doomed because no patient could be treated.

In a nutshell, while there is free will for everyone to choose their careers. A continuous decline in students opting for science as a career might be of serious concern because it would have substantial repercussions for society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the causes of the decline in science students and the effects on society. The position is clear throughout, and the main ideas are extended and supported. For instance, the writer identifies causes such as the availability of online learning tools and high career competition, and illustrates this with a specific example regarding medical exam seats in Pakistan. Similarly, the effects on society are explored through the lens of a shortage of essential professionals like doctors. While some arguments, such as online tools replacing university education, lean towards over-generalisation, the overall task fulfillment aligns well with the Band 7 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay presents a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are logically sequenced across well-defined paragraphs, moving from an introduction to causes, then effects, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices are used adequately to connect ideas, such as 'Furthermore', 'For example', and 'In addition'. However, paragraphing could be slightly more balanced, and some transitions feel a bit mechanical. Referencing and substitution are generally clear, enabling the reader to follow the argument effortlessly, supporting a solid Band 7 performance for this criterion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary that allows for some flexibility and precision, such as 'imperative role', 'oversaturation', and 'repercussions'. Less common lexical items are used with some awareness of style and collocation, as seen in 'pursuing scientific studies' and 'driving force'. There are minor issues in word choice, such as 'Proponents against the idea', which is slightly contradictory, but overall, the vocabulary is adequate for the task. Spelling and word choice errors do not impede communication, placing the response securely in the Band 6.5 to 7.0 range, comfortably rounded here.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The writing exhibits a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, with attempts at subordinate clauses and conditional structures, such as 'Imagine a world with no doctors would be doomed because no patient could be treated,' which contains a minor grammatical slip. There is good control of punctuation and basic sentence structures, although occasional errors persist, including a sentence fragment in the conclusion ('A continuous decline... would have substantial repercussions...'). Despite these occasional lapses, the majority of sentences are clear and grammatical errors rarely impede communication, reflecting the standard of Band 6.0.

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