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)

For a long time, many students joined universities in order to get formal qualification in science related subjects, but now a number of students in science education are dropping because of multiple reasons. This essay is going to focus on the major reason of this situation and its potential social impacts.

In the past, a majority of students were admitted in departments of science in many universities. Since science was a novel and growing field then,it led to a numerous candidates for higher education in science. Students were encouraged to study science as it was the most obvious way for a successful and high income occupation. However, students have freedom of expression now, and they prefer the academic field in which they are talented and have interest. Additionally, many students with innate talent for art choose the field of art and architecture to reach their dream goals. Subsequently, students have more choices for a successful career rather than just obtaining a degree in science.

These differences in selection of qualifications and academic fields have changed the attitude of society. People no longer only focus on scientifc education, but they get excellence in other unrelated fields. This has developed the society largely, and many talented people are contributing to the development and well-being of the society, demonstrated by excessive technical interest led to the birth of AI.

Collectively, universities are filled with academics unrelated to science subjects and has played an important part to the growth in different directions for the society well-being. Many new discoveries and improvements are being made with the study of different departments.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address both the causes and effects, and your central explanation is that students now have more freedom to choose fields that match their interests and talents. The examples of art and architecture help illustrate this point. However, the causes are only partly explored: the essay does not explain why science itself may be less attractive, such as demanding study or limited career prospects. The effects are also broad and not always clearly linked to fewer science students. For instance, the claim that this change has developed society and the reference to AI do not show whether the shortage of science graduates creates benefits or problems. Develop a clearer position and support each effect with a specific, relevant explanation or example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has an introduction, body paragraphs and a concluding paragraph, and its overall subject remains clear. Linking expressions such as “However,” “Additionally” and “Collectively” help signal relationships between ideas. Nevertheless, progression is limited: the second paragraph moves from past enrolment to student choice without clearly establishing why science is now less popular, while the effects paragraph shifts from other fields’ contributions to AI without explaining the connection. The conclusion largely repeats the point about studying different departments rather than synthesising the causes and effects. Some references, including “These differences,” are also broad, so the reader must infer exactly which changes are meant. Organise the response around distinct cause and effect points, and use clearer links between each claim and its explanation.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “formal qualification,” “innate talent,” “academic fields” and “well-being.” These choices show an attempt to use more specific and less common language, and the main ideas remain understandable. However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “a numerous candidates,” “successful and high income occupation,” and “excessive technical interest.” “Scientifc” is also misspelled, and “science related” would be clearer as a compound modifier. Aim for natural combinations and precise wording rather than elaborate phrases: for example, describe students as pursuing “a well-paid career” and explain that “growing interest in technology” contributed to AI’s development. Proofreading spelling and collocations would make your vocabulary more controlled.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including a subordinate clause in “Since science was a novel and growing field then” and a contrast introduced by “However.” Most sentences communicate their general meaning, and grammatical errors rarely prevent understanding. Some errors remain in agreement, articles and sentence construction. For example, “universities are filled with academics unrelated to science subjects and has played” has a subject–verb agreement problem and an unclear subject for “has played”; “a numerous candidates” also has an article and number-pattern error. Punctuation is inconsistent in “then,it,” and there are extra spaces in “successful and.” Review agreement in longer sentences, and make sure each verb clearly matches its subject. More accurate control of these structures would strengthen the response.

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