Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-13

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 8.0)

Smoking is a serious public health issue in many countries. Some people believe that banning smoking in public places is the best way to discourage this habit, while others argue that this measure alone is not sufficient and that additional steps are required. In my opinion, prohibiting smoking in public areas is an effective measure, but it should be combined with other strategies to reduce smoking more successfully.

On the one hand, making smoking illegal in public places can discourage people from smoking and protect non-smokers from second-hand smoke. If smoking is prohibited in places such as restaurants, parks, workplaces and public transport areas, smokers have fewer opportunities to smoke during the day. This restriction may gradually encourage some people to reduce their cigarette consumption or even quit completely. Moreover, such laws create a healthier environment for the general public, particularly children and elderly people. For example, smoking bans in restaurants and other indoor public spaces have made it easier for people to avoid exposure to cigarette smoke.

On the other hand, banning smoking in public places may not be enough because people can still smoke in their homes or other private areas. Therefore, governments should introduce additional measures to discourage this habit. One effective approach is to increase taxes on cigarettes, making them less affordable, especially for young people. In addition, governments can run awareness campaigns to educate people about the serious health risks associated with smoking, such as lung cancer and heart disease. Schools can also educate teenagers about these dangers before they develop the habit. Furthermore, people who want to quit smoking should have access to counselling and other forms of professional support.

In conclusion, although banning smoking in public places is an important step because it reduces opportunities to smoke and protects non-smokers, I believe that it cannot solve the problem on its own. Higher cigarette prices, public education and support for people who want to quit should also be used to reduce smoking more effectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both views—the effectiveness of public smoking bans and the necessity of additional measures—while maintaining a consistent and clear personal position throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with specific examples provided for both sides of the argument, such as the mention of restaurants, parks, and the role of schools in education. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position, ensuring the response is balanced and focused. The development of ideas is logical and relevant, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion'. The use of referencing is accurate, and the flow of information is natural. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different stages of the argument. The structure is coherent throughout, and the relationship between sentences is clear, making the essay easy to follow for the reader.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for the topic, such as 'second-hand smoke', 'cigarette consumption', 'awareness campaigns', and 'professional support'. The word choice is generally precise and natural. While the vocabulary is sufficient and effective, it stays within the realm of standard, expected terminology. To move into the highest band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations to add nuance. However, there are no significant errors in word choice or spelling, and the language used is consistently accurate and fits the formal tone of the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('If smoking is prohibited...') and subordinate clauses ('...because people can still smoke...'). The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to enhance clarity. There are no major grammatical slips that impede communication. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the text. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a solid command of English grammar, which is well-suited for this type of task.

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