Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

In many countries there is not sufficient number of students who prefer to study science at university. The causes of this phenomenon are varied and have led to a wide range of effects on society. I will outline in this essay why few undergraduate students are choosing to study science and discuss the impacts it can have on society.

There are several reasons for students not to prefer study science at university. Firstly, in some countries most of the sub-subjects under science are irrelevant. Students cannot relate these topics in their own field, thus, they have difficulties in learning them. Secondly, there are many students whose major was other

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

The introduction identifies the topic and promises to discuss both causes and effects, but the response does not fulfil that plan. It gives only two incomplete cause points: that some science subjects seem irrelevant and that “many students whose major was other…”—a sentence that stops before the idea is explained. No effects on society are discussed, and there are no examples or developed explanations to support the points. The response is also substantially below the required minimum length, which leaves the task only minimally addressed. To improve, complete both parts of the question, explain how each cause influences students’ choices, and show specific consequences for society, such as skills shortages or slower technological progress, supported with examples.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is a basic organisational framework: an introduction is followed by a paragraph beginning with causes, and “Firstly” and “Secondly” signal an intended sequence. The opening also previews the essay’s two areas. However, the progression is not completed: the second cause ends abruptly at “whose major was other,” and there is no paragraph addressing social effects or a conclusion. As a result, the reader cannot follow a complete line of development. Some linking is also mechanical, with “Firstly” and “Secondly” doing most of the work. Build a clear sequence of paragraphs for causes and effects, finish each point before moving on, and use referencing or transitions to show how ideas connect.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response uses some topic-relevant vocabulary, including “undergraduate students,” “phenomenon,” “sub-subjects,” and “impacts,” and the central meaning is generally understandable. There is also an attempt to vary wording through phrases such as “not sufficient number” and “few undergraduate students.” However, the range is limited by the short, unfinished response, and several expressions are awkward or imprecise: “prefer to study science” is repeated, “sub-subjects” is unclear, and “irrelevant” is asserted without specifying what the subjects are irrelevant to. Choose more natural academic collocations and precise terms, such as “science disciplines” or “perceive the curriculum as unrelated to their career goals.” Developing the ideas would also allow a broader, more flexible vocabulary range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentence forms. For example, “Students cannot relate these topics in their own field, thus, they have difficulties in learning them” links two clauses, while the introduction uses a relative clause in “students who prefer to study science.” Meaning is mostly recoverable, but there are errors in sentence construction and grammatical patterns. “There is not sufficient number” needs an article, and “reasons for students not to prefer study science” has an incorrect verb pattern; use “reasons why students do not choose to study science.” The final sentence is incomplete, ending with “other,” so it cannot communicate a finished idea. Aim for complete sentences and check articles, verb patterns, and punctuation when joining clauses.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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