Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-10-24

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)

Education plays a fundamental role in shaping individuals and societies, and different approaches to learning continue to be widely debated. In many countries, fewer students are choosing to study science at university. This essay will discuss the main reasons for this trend and its effect on society.

One major reason is that science subjects are difficult. Courses in physics, chemistry and biology demand strong mathematical skills and many years of study and some students get less grades in this subjects. So, many choose easy subjects like commerce and arts because these fields and subjects are quite easy and people get good jobs on grace marks. For example, for doctor degree every students has to get good grades and they have to gain higher knowledge and some practical classes to cleat the test, and the list of number of students are higher and few get seat to clear the exam.

The shortage of science graduates does have effect on society. Firstly, in hospital numbers of doctor list are decline and some people open their medical shops with illegal certificates and with less knowledge. Moreover, people use to show interest in other fields like commerce and business and as a result number of students are not getting jobs and examiner list are so long. For example, for charter accountant exam the number of students are higher but the vacancy are only for few people and rest are unemployed.

In conclusion, students avoid science mainly because its difficult subjects and less rewarding than other subjects, and this create staff shortage and slower the progress of society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both parts of the question and give a clear overall explanation: students avoid science because it is difficult, while society may face shortages of qualified professionals. The examples about medical training and employment help make the discussion relevant. However, the causes and effects are only partly developed. The claim that science is “less rewarding” appears in the conclusion but is not explained in the body, and the link between fewer science students and unemployment in commerce is unclear. The example about illegal medical certificates is also asserted rather than supported. Develop each main point with a clear explanation of how it arises and a relevant, specific example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, separate paragraphs for causes and effects, and a conclusion. Basic signposting such as “One major reason,” “Firstly,” and “Moreover” helps readers follow the broad direction. However, progression within paragraphs is uneven: the first body paragraph moves from difficult science courses to easier subjects, then to medical entrance tests without clearly connecting these points. In the effects paragraph, the shift from doctor shortages to unemployment among commerce students is especially difficult to follow. Some linking is mechanical, and references such as “these fields and subjects” are not precise. Organise each paragraph around one main idea and use explicit cause-and-effect links to show how each example supports it.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some topic-related vocabulary, including “science subjects,” “mathematical skills,” “science graduates,” and “staff shortage,” so the reader can identify the subject matter. However, the range is limited and several inaccurate or unnatural expressions make parts of the argument difficult to understand. Examples include “get good jobs on grace marks,” “doctor list are decline,” and “examiner list are so long.” Some word forms and collocations are also unsuitable, such as “doctor degree” and “clear the exam.” Aim for precise phrases that describe the intended idea, and check collocations and word forms when revising. Replacing repeated general terms such as “easy” and “higher” with more specific language would also improve clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentence forms, including the opening sentence and the explanation beginning “Courses in physics, chemistry and biology demand…”. However, control is inconsistent, and errors occur often enough to make some sentences hard to follow. For example, “some students get less grades in this subjects” has problems with comparison, number agreement, and the demonstrative; “every students has” has subject–verb and plural errors; and “the number of doctor list are decline” has an unclear grammatical structure and incorrect verb form. Articles and agreement also need attention in phrases such as “the vacancy are only for few people.” Practise checking subject–verb agreement, singular and plural forms, and sentence boundaries, then proofread each sentence for a clear subject and verb.

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