Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-07-25

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people say that the best way to discourage smoking is to make smoking illegal in public places. Other people say that this is not enough and that other measures are needed.

Discuss both these views, and give your opinion.

Give reasons for your answer, and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 7.5)

Some people believe that making smoking illegal in public places is the best way to stop people from smoking. However, others think this is not enough and other actions should be taken. This essay will discuss both views and give my opinion.

On the one hand, banning smoking in public places can reduce smoking. First, people cannot smoke in parks, restaurants, bus stops, and other public areas, so they may smoke less. It also protects non-smokers from second-hand smoke, which is harmful to health. For example, many countries have banned smoking in public places, and the air is cleaner than before. Because of this, some smokers decide to quit smoking.

On the other hand, I believe this law alone is not enough. Many people still smoke at home or in places where the law is not strict. The government should also increase the price of cigarettes by higher taxes. In addition, schools should teach students about the bad effects of smoking from a young age. Advertisements about the dangers of smoking on TV and the internet can also help people understand the risks.

In my opinion, making smoking illegal in public places is a good step, but it cannot solve the problem by itself. The government should use different methods together, such as education, higher prices, and public campaigns. These measures can encourage more people to stop smoking.

In conclusion, although banning smoking in public places is useful, I think other measures are also necessary to reduce smoking and improve public health.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly discuss both views—the effectiveness of public smoking bans and the necessity of additional measures—and provide a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and logically extended, such as the mention of taxation and education as supplementary methods. To reach a higher band, you could further develop your arguments by providing more specific examples or exploring the 'why' behind the effectiveness of these measures. For instance, explaining how higher taxes specifically deter younger smokers would add depth to your analysis. Overall, the response is well-focused and maintains a consistent position throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' 'In addition,' and 'In conclusion' effectively to link your points. While the structure is sound, the range of cohesive devices is somewhat limited and repetitive. To improve, try incorporating more sophisticated linking phrases or referencing techniques to connect sentences more fluidly, which would help the essay flow with greater naturalness.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'second-hand smoke,' 'deter,' and 'public campaigns' appropriately. The language is clear and conveys your meaning without difficulty. However, the vocabulary is somewhat functional and lacks the variety of less common or idiomatic expressions that would elevate the response to a higher band. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and varied synonyms to avoid repeating basic words like 'smoking' or 'people.' Expanding your range to include more academic or topic-specific terminology would significantly enhance your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most of your sentences are grammatically accurate, and errors are rare and do not impede communication. For example, your use of conditional structures and compound sentences is generally correct. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical forms, such as passive voice constructions or relative clauses, more consistently. While your current control is good, increasing the complexity and variety of your sentence patterns will demonstrate a higher level of grammatical flexibility.

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