Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-10-01

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)

The declining interest in pursuing science disciplines among university students is a trend that has raised concerns and warrants careful examination. This phenomenon can be attributed to several underlying factors, and its potential ramifications could impact various aspects of society.

One primary reason for the reduced attraction towards science studies is the perceived complexity of these subjects. Students may find science subjects challenging and demanding, requiring rigorous analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. As a result, some individuals may opt for fields perceived as less daunting, leading to a decline in science enrolment. Moreover, societal perceptions of career prospects also play a role. Students might believe that non-science fields offer more lucrative and accessible job opportunities, leading them to opt for other disciplines. For instance, a recent survey conducted by an education research institute in the USA found that more than 70% of the participant believe that BBA and MBA are better career paths than pure science majors.Colleges & Universities

The repercussions of this trend could extend beyond individual career choices. A diminished interest in science could lead to a shortage of skilled professionals in critical areas such as medicine, engineering, and environmental sciences. This shortage could hinder scientific advancements, technological innovations, and solutions to global challenges. For instance, many developing countries already have a shortage of skilled scientists, researchers and doctors, and the trend coupled with brain drain is expected to make things worse for them. Additionally, a lack of scientifically literate individuals in society may hamper public understanding of scientific issues and hinder informed decision-making on matters such as climate change and public health.

In conclusion, declining interest in science disciplines among university students can be attributed to factors such as perceived complexity and career prospects. The potential consequences of this trend extend beyond individual career paths to impact scientific advancements and informed societal decision-making. To counteract this trend, concerted efforts are needed to promote the value of science education and its role in addressing global challenges.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by clearly outlining both the causes behind declining science enrollments and the societal effects of this trend, maintaining a clear position throughout. Ideas are extended and supported appropriately, such as when discussing the perceived complexity of subjects and incorporating a specific survey example regarding career perceptions. However, there is a slight tendency to overgeneralize in places, which prevents the response from reaching a higher level. To push into higher bands, the analysis could benefit from even deeper elaboration on how these shortages specifically manifest in various sectors, avoiding slightly broad statements.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates clear logical organization and progression throughout. Information and ideas are coherently linked, making the progression easy to follow from the introduction through the causes and effects to a well-synthesized conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'As a result', and 'Additionally' are used flexibly to guide the reader through the argument, though paragraphing contains a minor typographical slip ('Colleges & Universities' appearing orphaned). To achieve a higher level of cohesion, referencing could be managed with even greater subtlety, ensuring that transitional phrases feel entirely natural rather than structurally formulaic.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The vocabulary used provides a sufficient range for flexibility and precision, allowing the writer to discuss academic and societal trends effectively. Less common items such as 'underlying factors', 'ramifications', and 'scientifically literate' demonstrate an awareness of style and collocation appropriate for the academic genre. However, there are occasional awkward phrasings or minor inaccuracies, such as 'reduced attraction towards', where 'reduced appeal' or 'diminished interest' might be more idiomatic. Ensuring consistently precise word choice and natural collocations will help lift this criterion further.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The response displays a good variety of complex structures and a high frequency of error-free sentences. The writer successfully employs subordinate clauses and conditional elements to construct sophisticated arguments, showing good control over grammar and punctuation. A few minor errors persist, such as the subject-verb agreement slip in 'more than 70% of the participant believe', where the plural 'participants' is required. Maintaining meticulous grammatical accuracy across all complex noun phrases and agreements will help secure a higher level.

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