Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-10-08

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 5.5)

In various nations, there are not enough tutees who are opting to study science at university. This issue has arisen from several underlying factors, and I believe that this problem has become increasingly widespread.

To commence with the reasons, science is considered as a difficult subject among students. To be more precise, it consists of four parts like physics, mathematics, chemistry and biology in which there are several numericals in which tutees need critical thinking to solve. Moreover, it comprises of chemical compositions, gravity and medicinal properties which makes difficult for students to study these subjects collectively as their mind feels pressurized and they do not even have time to do physical activities.

However, if tutees ignore science then it could be devastating in future. To elaborate it further, brain will become less sharp and there would be delay in inventions and discoveries which will affect the society. Furthermore, there will be more competition on the other streams in future. Another worth noticing point is that students will choose arts and commerce which enhance their theoretical knowledge rather than practical approach. Hence, they will become less innovative and approach of learning skills will decline.

To conclude, science have a wider approach which makes difficult for tutees to learn everything at once. Besides, it involves various numericals and test the skills of the student as it comprises of chemicial properties and many more. In contrast, it will affect their brain to get more sharp and there would be delays in inventions by these future scientists and competitions in other fields will be increased automatically.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both causes and effects, and your central explanation—that science is perceived as difficult because it combines demanding subjects and numerical problem-solving—is relevant. You also identify possible social consequences, including slower discoveries and reduced innovation. However, the response only partially develops these points: the effects on society are often asserted rather than explained, and claims such as students’ brains becoming “less sharp” are unclear and unsupported. The opening says the problem is widespread but does not establish a clear position about its causes and consequences. To strengthen the response, explain the chain of impact—for example, how fewer science graduates could limit medical research or technological development—and support claims with a specific, plausible example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, a paragraph on causes, one on effects, and a conclusion. Basic signposting such as “To commence with,” “Furthermore,” and “To conclude” helps readers identify the stages of the answer. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear: the discussion moves from difficult calculations to pressure and lack of time for physical activity without explaining the connection. The effects paragraph also shifts between delayed inventions, competition in other fields, and theoretical learning, so the relationship among these ideas is not always clear. Some linking phrases feel mechanical, and the conclusion repeats earlier points rather than bringing them together. Group related ideas and use clearer cause-and-effect links to improve flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You attempt topic-related vocabulary, including “critical thinking,” “inventions and discoveries,” “theoretical knowledge,” and “practical approach.” These choices show an effort to discuss education and society beyond very basic terms. However, the range is limited by repeated or imprecise wording, especially “tutees,” which does not mean university students, and “numericals,” which is not a natural term in this context. Several collocations are awkward, such as “science have a wider approach” and “brain will become less sharp,” while “chemicial” is misspelled. These choices sometimes make the intended meaning difficult to follow. Use more precise academic terms and check whether words naturally combine in English; for instance, describe science as “demanding” and refer to “numerical problems.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use both simple and more complex sentence forms, including clauses introduced by “which,” “if,” and “as,” and the overall meaning is generally recoverable. However, errors occur across the response and sometimes make relationships between ideas harder to understand. Examples include “science have” instead of “science has,” “which makes difficult” instead of “which makes it difficult,” and “it test the skills” instead of “it tests the skills.” Articles and sentence construction also need attention in phrases such as “brain will become less sharp.” Some long sentences combine several ideas without clear grammatical control. Practise checking subject–verb agreement, adding necessary objects and articles, and dividing sentences when they contain multiple claims.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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