Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-10

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 5.0)

Smoking is a major concern in many countries. some people claims that banning smoking in public places is the best way to reduce it whereas others says that it is not the only way to decrease it's use and additional strategies should be introduced. In my opinion, there should be a combination of ban and other measures for better results.

On the one hand, people says that restrictions on smoking in public is the most beneficial way to reduce it's use. First of all, it is beneficial for non-smokers to protect them from second-hand smoke which is very harmful for their health. For example, Restaurants, shopping centers or malls, and public transport areas should be completely banned from smoking. So that, people can enjoy these places without being exposed to cigarette smoke. Secondly, people needs to go far away from the public place to smoke due to which people feel lazy to leave the place and because of time consumption they refuse to take it which leads to reduce their count on cigarettes on daily basis.

On the other hand, others says that it is not enough by

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, as it is only 188 words long and remains incomplete. Because the essay is unfinished, the second viewpoint is not fully explored, and the conclusion is entirely missing. While the introduction clearly states a position, the lack of development and the failure to complete the task significantly impact the score. To improve, you must ensure you address all parts of the prompt and provide a full, balanced discussion followed by a clear conclusion. The current length prevents a full development of ideas, which is essential for a higher band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay uses basic cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'Secondly', and 'On the one hand', which helps the reader follow the initial flow of ideas. However, because the response is incomplete and cuts off mid-sentence, the overall structure is compromised. Paragraphing is attempted, but the lack of a concluding paragraph and the abrupt ending hinder the logical progression of the argument. To improve, focus on ensuring each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and that your ideas are fully linked to a final summary or conclusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for basic communication but lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. You use some relevant topic-specific terms like 'second-hand smoke' and 'restrictions', but there are repetitive patterns and minor errors in word choice, such as 'take it' instead of 'smoke' or 'consume'. The range is limited, and there is little evidence of less common lexical items or idiomatic expressions. To improve, try to incorporate more varied synonyms and precise collocations related to public policy and health.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, particularly with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'people says', 'people needs') and apostrophe usage (e.g., 'it's use' instead of 'its use'). While you attempt some complex sentence structures, they are often marred by these persistent errors. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with some sentences starting with lowercase letters. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and proofreading for common errors like the misuse of possessive pronouns versus contractions.

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