Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-12

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 has long been recognized as a major public health concern, and governments around the world continue to search for effective ways to reduce its harmful impact. While some people believe that banning smoking in public places is the best way to discourage the habit, others argue that this measure alone is insufficient and that additional strategies are required. Both views will be discussed before presenting my own opinion.

On one hand, making smoking illegal in public places can significantly reduce exposure to second-hand smoke, which is known to cause serious health issues such as lung cancer and heart disease. When smoking is prohibited in areas like parks, restaurants, and public transport, non‑smokers—especially children and the elderly—are protected from involuntary inhalation. Moreover, such restrictions can make smoking less socially acceptable. For example, in many Canadian cities, strict public smoking bans have contributed to a noticeable decline in smoking rates, as smokers often find it inconvenient to seek designated areas.

On the other hand, many people argue that public bans alone do not address the root causes of smoking addiction. Nicotine dependence is a powerful force, and individuals who are addicted may simply continue smoking in private spaces. Therefore, additional measures such as increasing taxes on tobacco products, running educational campaigns, and offering free cessation programs may be more effective. For instance, countries like Australia have combined high tobacco taxes with graphic warning labels, resulting in one of the lowest smoking rates globally. These strategies target both the financial and psychological aspects of smoking, making it easier for people to quit.

In my opinion, while banning smoking in public places is an important step, it should be part of a broader, multi‑layered approach. Public restrictions help protect non‑smokers and reduce social acceptance, but they do not fully address addiction. Governments should therefore combine public bans with awareness campaigns, higher taxation, and accessible support services such as counselling or nicotine‑replacement therapies. This combination is more likely to produce long‑term reductions in smoking rates.

In conclusion, although prohibiting smoking in public areas is beneficial, it is not enough on its own. A comprehensive strategy that includes education, taxation, and cessation support is essential to effectively discourage smoking and improve public health.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views on public smoking bans and providing a clear, well-supported personal opinion throughout the essay. The student effectively covers the arguments for making smoking illegal in public places, such as reducing second-hand smoke exposure and changing social norms, while also examining the alternative view that additional measures like taxation and education are necessary to tackle nicotine addiction. Ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the references to Canadian cities and Australia. The position is maintained consistently from the introduction through to the conclusion, meeting all Band 8 requirements for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, beginning with a balanced introduction, followed by well-sequenced body paragraphs discussing each viewpoint and the writer's opinion, and ending with a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Moreover', and 'Therefore' are used flexibly and appropriately to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used skillfully and serves the development of the ideas very well, aligning strongly with the Band 8 descriptors for Coherence and Cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The student displays a wide and flexible lexical range that allows for precise expression of ideas. Less common lexical items and collocations are used skillfully and naturally, such as 'second-hand smoke', 'involuntary inhalation', 'socially acceptable', 'root causes of smoking addiction', and 'multi-layered approach'. Word choice and spelling are accurate throughout the essay. While there are a few standard collocations rather than rare academic idioms, the vocabulary is more than sufficient for a Band 7.5 or 8.0 response, demonstrating fluency and precision in handling a complex topic.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, successfully incorporating both complex and compound sentences with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, showing excellent control over punctuation and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'While some people believe that banning smoking in public places is the best way to discourage the habit, others argue that this measure alone is insufficient'). Complex structures are used naturally to express concession, cause and effect, and condition without awkward phrasing. The grammatical control easily satisfies the Band 8 criteria, showing only rare, non-systematic imperfections.

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