Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-10-11

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 6.0)

In the modern society, choosing a subject has become very important, because it has a significant value in a student's future. In many countries, the number of students choosing science to study as their major subject at university has been falling significantly. There are many factors which can cause it, and it can effect a society's prosperity.

To begin with, science subjects are always regarded as difficult. Students have to study difficult theories and subjects, which are included in their syllabus. Many students find it very challenging to study those subjects, so they end up choosing another major like art and business. For instance, a student who had a hard time studying physics in college might not choose a science subject as his major in university.

Meanwhile, these causes can have serious effects on a society. If the number of students choosing science is less, then there will be less scientific professionals in the society. It can lead to the shortage of staff in scientific institutes, hospitals, and research centres. The country's development can fall behind due to very little technological and scientific advances. For example, if there are a few scientific researchers in a country, then the country is less likely to achieve great scientific achievements, and can fall behind other countries. Many countries in the world still have not been able to achieve nuclear power.

In conclusion, the students sholud take the matter of choosing their major seriously. There should be almost similar number of students in all different majors, because focusing on just a few subjects and leaving other subjects behind can have damaging effects on a society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both parts of the question: difficulty is presented as a cause, while shortages of scientific professionals and slower technological development are identified as effects. The examples about physics and research capacity help make these points relevant. However, the causes are narrower than the task invites: the response develops only the idea that science is difficult, without considering other possible influences such as career prospects, teaching quality, or students’ interests. Some effects are also asserted rather than explained; the reference to countries not achieving nuclear power does not clearly show how low university enrolment causes this. Develop a broader range of causes and explain the links between each cause or effect and society more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure, moving from an introduction to a cause, then effects, and finally a conclusion. Paragraphing helps the reader follow this progression, and signposts such as “To begin with,” “Meanwhile,” and “In conclusion” make the stages explicit. This is a coherent arrangement, with some effective progression within the effects paragraph. To make the organisation more flexible and less dependent on formulaic transitions, connect ideas through clearer cause-and-effect links. For example, explain directly how fewer science graduates lead to staff shortages and then to slower innovation. The conclusion also shifts to recommending that students choose majors evenly, which is not fully connected to the essay’s preceding analysis; a concise summary of the causes and effects would provide stronger closure.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “scientific professionals,” “research centres,” “technological advances,” and “society’s prosperity.” These choices communicate the main ideas, and the response shows some willingness to use topic-specific language. However, several word choices and collocations are imprecise or repetitive, which limits the range and naturalness of the expression. For example, “the number ... has been falling significantly” and “less scientific professionals” could be expressed more accurately, while “great scientific achievements” repeats the general idea of achievement without adding precision. There is also a spelling error in “sholud.” Aim to use a wider range of precise terms for causes and consequences, and check spelling and common collocations during revision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including subordinate clauses such as “because it has a significant value” and conditional structures beginning “If the number of students choosing science is less.” Most sentences remain understandable, and grammatical errors do not prevent the reader from following your argument. Some errors and awkward constructions persist, however. For example, “it can effect a society’s prosperity” uses an incorrect verb form, and “less scientific professionals” has a number agreement issue. The opening phrase “In the modern society” also shows an article problem. Continue practising accurate articles, countable and uncountable forms, and conditional phrasing; then proofread longer sentences to ensure their grammar remains controlled.

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