Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-10-30

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 many countries, very few students are choosing to study science at university. There are some causes behind it and it may have some negative impacts on the society.

In university, not enough students are choosing science as a major. Because science is a difficult subject and everyone may not have enough interest in science. Science is a subject which includes several types of maths, explanations, experiments and other things. Those who are not that good at maths, chooses to avoid science. While choosing my subjects in university, I didn't choose science as I am not good at maths and not even interested in experimental things.

A large number of students not choosing science in university may have a negative impact on the society. Having the basic knowledge of science is mandatory. Today we can see various types of inventions, technologies around us, which is possible because of the contribution of science. If students continue not choosing science then in future, there will be no scientists. It will lead to no new inventions, no new technologies which will greatly hamper both society and country. In this modern age, coping with the modern technology is a must to adhere to the standards that are set by other developed countries. That's why in future, students not choosing science in university will greatly affect the whole society.

In conclusion, science is an indispensable part of our life. Students not choosing science because of the fear of math or not being enough interested will cause several negative impacts on the society. So students should be encouraged through various measures so that they choose science in university.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both parts of the question: you identify difficulty with mathematics and lack of interest as causes, then explain possible effects such as fewer scientists and reduced innovation. The personal example about choosing university subjects makes the cause more concrete. However, the causes are narrow and the effects are largely presented as a chain of predictions, especially the claim that there will be “no scientists” and “no new inventions.” These points need qualification and fuller explanation, such as how shortages in particular scientific fields could affect healthcare, industry, or environmental research. Your position is clear, but the response does not develop its ideas consistently enough for a more complete treatment of the task. The response meets the stated length requirement; eight words copied from the task prompt were not counted.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, separate paragraphs for causes and effects, and a conclusion. This makes the main direction easy to follow. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes repetitive: the causes paragraph repeats that students do not choose science before explaining why, and the effects paragraph restates the prediction about future harm several times. Some links are also awkward or unclear, such as the opening fragment “Because science is a difficult subject” and the transition “While choosing my subjects,” which does not connect smoothly to the preceding point. Use clearer topic sentences and develop each point in a sequence—cause, explanation, example—rather than repeating the same claim. More precise referencing would also help readers track the ideas.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “experiments,” “inventions,” “technologies,” and “indispensable,” so the reader can understand your main points. However, the range is limited and several words or phrases are repeated, particularly “science,” “students,” and “society.” Some combinations are unnatural or imprecise, such as “various types of inventions,” “adhere to the standards,” and “fear of math.” These choices do not prevent understanding, but they make parts of the response less fluent and precise. Aim to use more natural collocations and vary repeated terms where appropriate—for example, refer to scientific study, research, or the scientific workforce. Check also that phrases express the intended relationship clearly, rather than relying on broad claims such as “greatly hamper.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use mostly straightforward sentence patterns and attempt some longer structures, including “If students continue not choosing science…” and “which is possible because of the contribution of science.” The overall meaning remains understandable, but errors recur in agreement, sentence formation, and articles. For example, “Those who are not that good at maths, chooses” has a subject–verb agreement error, while “Because science is a difficult subject” is an incomplete sentence. “A large number of students not choosing science” also needs a finite verb, and “not even interested” lacks a clear subject. Work on complete clauses and check singular/plural agreement and article use. Greater control of these basics, alongside accurate complex sentences, would make the argument smoother.

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