Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-10-23

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 recent years, the issue of choosing science to study at university has sparked a considerable talking point. Students are not choosing to study science at universities in many countries. This essay will examine the causes of this phenomena and also present negative effect of this in society.

To begin with, there are several reasons for student not to choose science as main stream at university. The primary cause of this is that science is seen as difficult subject to study. This means to study science at university we have a knowledge or basic background of science in school level so without schooling background in science we cannot directly take science as main stream at university due to this a lot of students are not able to study. It is also considered as the toughest subject to study.

On the other hand, this situation leads to various effect in this society. It lead to decrease in research field related to science and humanity. This means if there is less research has done than the innovation is decreased which directly effect in the growth of humanity. To illustrate this, if there is no innovation takes place we stop where we are now like we cannot able to find the cure of deadly disease such as cancer, HIV and so on and we cannot able to understand how everything is happening.

In conclusion, the issue of not choosing science at university is caused due to the lack of schooling background and difficultiness of subject. It has significant negative effect in the society such as decrease in research and innovation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both parts of the question: you identify perceived difficulty and a lack of school-level preparation as causes, then explain that fewer science students may reduce research and innovation. The example of treatments for cancer and HIV helps illustrate the possible social consequences. However, the causes are narrow and partly overlap, and the effects are developed mainly through one chain of reasoning. The claim that science requires a prior background is presented as a general fact rather than supported or qualified, and the effect on society could be made more specific. To strengthen the response, explain additional causes, such as career prospects or the cost and demands of science courses, and develop each effect with a clear example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, a paragraph on causes, a paragraph on effects, and a conclusion. Signposting such as “To begin with,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” makes the main stages easy to follow. Within paragraphs, however, progression is sometimes mechanical or unclear. The causes paragraph repeats the idea that science is difficult, while the long explanation beginning “This means” contains several linked points without clear separation. In the effects paragraph, “This means” and “To illustrate this” help connect ideas, but some references, such as “this situation,” are broad. Use shorter, more focused sentences and make each paragraph develop distinct points.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some topic-relevant vocabulary, including “research,” “innovation,” “growth,” and “deadly disease,” and the meaning is generally understandable. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “primary cause” and “significant negative effect.” However, the range is limited and several word choices or forms are inaccurate or unnatural, including “a considerable talking point,” “this phenomena,” “main stream,” and “difficultiness.” Repetition of “science,” “study,” and “effect” also limits precision. Build a more accurate set of collocations for discussing education and social consequences, and check whether nouns are countable and whether word forms fit their grammatical role. This would make the argument clearer and more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including a conditional structure in “if there is no innovation takes place,” and you use linking clauses to explain cause and effect. However, complex sentences are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to make some passages difficult to follow. For example, “It lead to decrease” has subject–verb and article problems, while “if there is less research has done” combines incompatible verb forms. Other examples include “we have a knowledge” and “we cannot able to find,” which show problems with articles and verb patterns. Practise forming accurate conditional sentences and controlling agreement, articles, and verb forms. Breaking long sentences into shorter units will also help you maintain accuracy.

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