Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

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

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 a lot of countries many students are not choosing science as a study subject in universities. There can be alot of reasons for it and it can affect society in the future.

There used to be a lot less subject back in the days, I remember my parents saying there were only 2 major subject people used to choose, it was either enginnering or doctor. But as society is progressing, there are alot of more option now available for a student to choose from, not everyone want to be a science student, As a business student myself I don't know what would have I done if a business degree was not an option.

Also not everyone who wants to be a science student can be a science student as it can be quite hard or as i've heard. Some students also can't pay to study which is also a cause of less students selecting science at universities as they cannot even be able to pay in the first place.

From my personnal experience every degree can be hard but science as a whole require more attention and it can be a bit hard if we compare it to other degrees espacially arts degree. But if less students are choosing science subject it can also delay progress of such countries in that department, As world is becomming more and more modern we also require more science students. Most of the research and progress happened in the past happened because of the science. Most of the famous name known over the world such a Einstein and Newton are known for their progress and help in science.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both causes and effects, and your main position—that wider study choices, difficulty, and cost reduce science enrolment, while fewer science graduates may slow national progress—is relevant. However, the causes are only partly explained: the comparison with earlier generations and your personal preference for business do not clearly show why students today avoid science. The point about difficulty is plausible but relies on “as I’ve heard,” rather than evidence or a developed example. The societal effect is also broad; the references to research, Einstein, and Newton do not explain specifically how shortages affect areas such as healthcare, technology, or economic development. Develop each cause and effect with a clear explanation and a concrete example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, two paragraphs discussing causes, and a final paragraph that turns to effects. This gives the reader a basic route through the answer. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear, and the final paragraph combines personal comparison, the effect on national progress, and historical examples without fully connecting them. Linking phrases such as “Also” and “But” are repetitive or do not always show the precise relationship between ideas. Some references, including “it” in “it can affect society” and “that department,” are vague. Use topic sentences to signal each paragraph’s purpose, then connect claims to explanations and examples with clearer referencing.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including “science,” “degree,” “research,” and “progress.” However, the range is limited and several words or phrases are repeated, particularly “a lot,” “students,” and “science.” Some choices are imprecise or unnatural, such as “more option,” “science subject,” and “famous name known over the world.” Spelling errors—including “alot,” “enginnering,” “personnal,” “espacially,” and “becomming”—also make the writing less polished. Aim for more precise academic collocations and check spelling carefully. For example, you could describe “a shortage of science graduates” and explain its impact on “scientific innovation” rather than repeating general references to progress.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, and the overall meaning is usually understandable. However, the range is limited, and errors in agreement, articles, verb forms, and sentence boundaries occur frequently. Examples include “there were only 2 major subject,” “not everyone want,” and “science as a whole require,” where plural or singular forms do not agree. The question structure “what would have I done” is also incorrect; use “what I would have done.” Several sentences run together or use commas where a full stop is needed, such as the sentence beginning “But as society is progressing.” Practise accurate subject–verb agreement and build longer sentences with controlled clauses and punctuation.

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