Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-10-12

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)

There is an ongoing concern that, in many countries, there is a decline in the number of students choosing science-related subjects. This trend can be lead to several factors, and it may have serious consequences for society.

In my opinion, the primary reason is that nowadays students are focusing more on literature, the arts, and their hobbies rather than science and innovation. Science subjects are often difficult for some students, and they do not want to pursue hard subjects because science involves many complex experiments, maths, and scientific theories. Science needs perfection and accurate answers, but some student finds its very frustrating and want to make their life and choosing a different studies for their future; that is why many students choose busniess studies or management, art or culture, designing. There are many different sector of area, and subjects are also available other than science, so students prefer other subjects over science. But sometimes their parents or society force them to opt for science but if they are not good at it or don't like scinece so, their potential will be wasted.

The decline in science graduates can cause to sever downfall in the science sector that will also affect the innovation sector, and new technologies may face delays. Universities wil also face an uneven ratio and many seats for science students will be waste. In todays modern world, every sector or industry is depens on science and inventions. So it is not necessary for every student that they need to opt for science; there should be a balance

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both parts of the question: you suggest that students avoid science because it is difficult and describe possible effects on innovation, technology and universities. The opening also establishes a clear general focus. However, the causes are not fully explained: the preference for arts, hobbies or business is asserted, but there is little explanation of what drives that preference, such as career prospects or teaching experiences. The effects are also brief and partly unclear; for example, the point about universities having an “uneven ratio” and unused places needs explanation. The final sentence introduces the need for balance but does not complete or develop that idea. Develop each main point with a clear explanation and a relevant example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, a paragraph about causes and one about effects, so the reader can identify the main sections. Some linking phrases, including “In my opinion,” “that is why” and “So,” help show relationships between ideas. However, progression within the paragraphs is uneven: the causes paragraph moves from difficulty to student preferences, parental pressure and wasted potential without clearly connecting each point. The effects paragraph is short and ends abruptly, leaving the argument unfinished. Repeated use of “so” and “and” also makes some connections feel mechanical. Organise each paragraph around one central point, then explain it and illustrate it before moving to the next.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some topic-related vocabulary, including “science-related subjects,” “complex experiments,” “innovation” and “new technologies,” which makes the subject clear. However, the range is limited and several word choices or combinations are inaccurate or awkward, sometimes making the meaning difficult to follow. Examples include “can be lead to,” “cause to sever downfall,” “uneven ratio” and “many different sector of area.” There are also noticeable spelling errors, such as “busniess,” “scinece” and “depens.” These issues fit a response with a basic but usable vocabulary range, rather than precise and flexible control. Check spelling carefully and learn common academic collocations, such as “lead to a decline” and “a shortage of science graduates.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including a sentence beginning “Science subjects are often difficult for some students” and a complex explanation of why students may choose other fields. However, many sentences contain errors in verb forms, agreement, articles or sentence construction, and these sometimes make the meaning hard to follow. For example, “This trend can be lead” has an incorrect verb form, “some student finds” has a subject–verb agreement problem, and “want to make their life and choosing” does not form a clear grammatical structure. The final sentence, “there should be a balance,” is also left without specifying what should be balanced. Practise accurate sentence patterns first, then use subordinate clauses to extend ideas while checking agreement and verb forms.

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