Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-18
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 has become a common issue in today’s world. It is opined by some that smoking should be illegal in public places whereas other reckon that it is not best approach. Now i will discuss both side of the argument in further paragraphs.
It is true that thesedays people are smoking in public places which is not wise approach for other people those are standing by them. It putt some detrimental effects on their health like , asthma, blood sugar. It leads towards worse aiments if it would be not reduced by public.
Turning to other side, government should find another way for smoking so that people will not disturb from them. If smokers will start smoking any corner of the places then it will create harm for others. So government should arrange a place where they can start smoking without any harm to public.
To conclude, having discussed both sides of the argument I conclude that smoking should be banned in public areas if some are doing then they should go separate place where public is not permitted.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, reaching only 179 words. This significantly impacts the development of ideas, as the arguments remain superficial and lack sufficient supporting evidence or examples. While you address both sides of the argument and provide a personal opinion, the brevity prevents a fully developed response. To improve, you must expand on your points by providing specific examples, explaining the 'why' behind your arguments, and ensuring each paragraph contains a clear topic sentence followed by detailed supporting information. The current length is insufficient for a Band 6 or higher.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat mechanical. You use basic cohesive devices like 'Turning to other side' and 'To conclude', but the flow between sentences is often abrupt. The referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the phrase 'if some are doing then they should go separate place', where the subject is ambiguous. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each sentence logically follows the previous one to create a smoother, more cohesive argument.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
Your vocabulary is generally functional but limited. You rely on basic terms like 'common issue', 'wise approach', and 'find another way'. There are also some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'worse aiments' (likely meaning 'ailments') and 'if it would be not reduced'. To reach a higher band, you need to incorporate more precise, topic-specific vocabulary related to public health and policy, such as 'legislation', 'public health initiatives', 'designated areas', or 'detrimental consequences'. Avoid repetitive phrasing and try to use more sophisticated collocations.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'It putt some detrimental effects' (subject-verb agreement), 'people will not disturb from them' (incorrect passive/active voice usage), and 'if some are doing then they should go separate place' (missing articles and prepositions). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with comma usage. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, subject-verb agreement, and the correct use of articles before attempting more complex grammatical structures.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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