Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-10-20

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)

Many students finds science harder, as compared to other subjects. Hence, there is a decline in number of students, preferring to study science in many countries at university. This affect in our daily society as country's growth and economy depends on younger generation.

In our current era, students are engaged in business activites at a young age, such as operating an online e-commerce store, dropshipping, developing software etc. This leads to choosing business or technical subjects over science at universities. Students can also learn these kind of stuff online as there are many tutorials available for free. Also some students need to provide for their family at a younger age, so they prefer a lower or affordable courses in order to get a diploma and get an instant job. Moreover, many universities are not that good when it comes to teaching science, that is why students think it will be a waste of time and effort.

Another reason is that many students could not afford to study science, for instance a medical field. Nowadays, becoming a doctor is too expensive that only some of students can afford it. In order to prevent it, universities should provide a scholarship for particular students as there are many students wants to study science but they are held back due to financial reasons.

To conclude, universities should have a talented faculty for science subjects and should be less expensive in order for students to pursue science subjects. Government should also take a notice on and provide scholarships as much as possible.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both causes and effects, and the opening identifies the central concern that fewer students are choosing science. Causes include the appeal of online business activities, financial pressure, and concerns about university teaching. However, the effects on society are only briefly stated: the claim that national growth and the economy depend on young people is not explained or supported with a specific consequence, such as shortages of medical or research professionals. Much of the response then shifts to recommendations about scholarships and university quality, which are not requested and take space from developing the effects. To strengthen the response, explain how each cause influences subject choice and develop at least two clear societal effects with relevant examples.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion. Sequencing words such as “Hence,” “Moreover,” and “To conclude” help signal relationships between ideas. However, progression is uneven: the first body paragraph combines online business opportunities, family finances and teaching quality, while the second introduces affordability and then moves into a scholarship recommendation. The conclusion also focuses on solutions rather than bringing together the causes and effects. Some links are mechanical or unclear, particularly “This affect in our daily society,” which does not clearly connect the decline in science students to its consequences. Organise each paragraph around one main point and use explicit links to show how causes lead to effects.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of topic vocabulary, including “e-commerce store,” “dropshipping,” “scholarship,” and “financial reasons,” which helps communicate the main ideas. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “pursue science subjects.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or imprecise, including “lower or affordable courses,” “a talented faculty,” and “take a notice on.” Spelling errors such as “activites” are noticeable, and repeated use of “students,” “science,” and “subjects” limits variety. Aim for more precise academic expressions and check spelling. For example, distinguish between course fees and course difficulty, and use natural collocations when discussing university staff and government support.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple and complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “as,” “so,” and “in order to,” and the overall meaning is generally understandable. However, errors in agreement, articles and sentence construction occur across the response. Examples include “Many students finds,” “This affect,” “many students wants,” and “only some of students”; these should be corrected to match the subject and use articles appropriately. The opening sentence, “Hence, there is a decline in number of students, preferring to study science,” also has an awkward clause structure. Some longer sentences join several ideas without clear control. Review subject–verb agreement and article use, then build complex sentences around one clear main clause.

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