Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-21

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 6.5)

Some people believe that the best method to reduce smoking is to make it illegal in public places. Others think that this is not enough and that more actions are required. In my opinion, banning smoking in public areas is helpful, but it should be combined with other measures.

On the one hand, making smoking illegal in public places can discourage people from smoking. It protects non-smokers from breathing second-hand smoke and makes public areas cleaner and healthier. For example, if smoking is not allowed in restaurants, parks, buses, and shopping centres, smokers may gradually reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke. It can also prevent young people from seeing smoking as a normal activity.

On the other hand, simply banning smoking in public places may not completely solve the problem. Some people are strongly addicted to nicotine, so they may continue smoking in private places. Governments can take additional steps, such as increasing taxes on cigarettes, providing free support programs, and educating people about the health risks of smoking. For instance, anti-smoking campaigns can show people how smoking can cause serious diseases and affect their families.

In conclusion, I believe that banning smoking in public places is an effective step, but it is not enough by itself. A combination of public smoking bans, education, higher cigarette taxes, and support for people who want to quit would be more effective in reducing smoking.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The essay addresses both views and provides a clear opinion. However, the response is under the 250-word minimum requirement, which limits the depth of the arguments. While the ideas are relevant, they are somewhat brief. For instance, the discussion on 'additional steps' could have been expanded with more detailed analysis or a specific real-world example to fully develop the argument. Because the response is 17 words short of the minimum, it fails to fully develop all parts of the task as required for higher bands.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to signal shifts in the argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is coherent throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication. The student uses topic-specific terms like 'second-hand smoke,' 'addicted to nicotine,' and 'anti-smoking campaigns.' While the range is sufficient, it lacks the more sophisticated or 'less common' lexical items that would elevate the score to a higher band. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation that impede meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. For example, the use of conditional sentences ('if smoking is not allowed...') and complex noun phrases shows a solid grasp of grammar. The text is largely error-free, with accurate punctuation and consistent control over verb tenses. While the range of structures is not exceptionally wide, the accuracy is high, which supports clear communication.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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