Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-17
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 5.5)
There is an argument to pause the smoking by declaring illegal at public premises whereas, others claim this is not the only successful measure and further steps are required to discourage smoking. I will discuss both views and my opinion in the upcoming paragraphs.
On the first hand, it is a good aproach to discourage smoking by declaring illegal at public places. For instance, if a smoker went out for smoking and see any sign with smoking restrictions, it could help him/her to smoke at that particula premis and they might feel discomfortable because of thier smoking habit. Therefore, this is a good aspect to prevent smoking.
On the other hand, declaring smoking as an illegal could not be the only method, more aspects are required too. For example, people must be aware about the harmful results of smoking i.e. throat cancer. Moreover, they must be provided information about the chemicals used to make a cigarette which can harm particular human body organs. In addition to this, social media influencers can create such content which demotivate the smokers and help them to quit smoking. Overall, other assets are required along making it illegal.
In my opinion, installing the do not smoke signs are one of the best methods to discourage smoking in public. But , the people who are addictive to smoke, they can only be trained to see the sign to do not smoke at particular area and they will find another place to smoke. For example, if a person went out for smoking to a parking lot and see the sign which discourage smoking, he/she will move to other place. In conclusion, this is not effective solution. Therefore, other measures are must to discourage smoking and it should not be limited to public areas only. In fact, people must be aware about the effects of smoking for non smokers. The scientific studies have proved that a non smoker is affected more than a smoker. These initiatives can play a vast role to discourage smoking.
In conclusion, every aspect must be in proceeded to decrease smoking on earth. Even though declaring illegal is a good initiative but could not be limited to. Whole community need to participate as a victim a of smokers to prevent the accuse as well.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—making smoking illegal in public places versus requiring additional measures—and provides a clear personal opinion. The student generates relevant ideas, such as raising awareness about health issues and utilizing social media influencers. However, some ideas are slightly under-developed or repetitive, particularly in the body paragraphs and the conclusion where the line of reasoning becomes a bit confused regarding whether banning smoking is effective. For instance, the statement 'in conclusion, this is not effective solution' appears abruptly before further arguments are presented. Overall, the task is adequately addressed, fitting the criteria for Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is divided into logical paragraphs with a clear introduction and conclusion, presenting an overall coherent arrangement. Cohesive devices such as 'On the first hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' are used to structure the text, though some phrasing is awkward or non-standard (e.g., 'On the first hand'). Referencing is occasionally faulty, leading to slight confusion in paragraph transitions. Paragraphing is used sufficiently to separate the introduction, body arguments, and conclusion, but internal logical progression within the final body paragraph is somewhat disjointed. This aligns well with the Band 6.0 descriptors.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common items such as 'demotivate', 'influencers', and 'initiatives'. However, there are frequent word-choice and collocation errors throughout the text, such as 'pause the smoking', 'declaring illegal', 'aproach', 'particula premis', and 'addictive to smoke' instead of 'addicted to smoking'. Spelling errors like 'discomfortable' also occur. While these errors do not severely impede communication, they restrict the lexical score to Band 5.5, as precision and natural control are lacking.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional forms ('if a smoker went out... it could help him/her'). However, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with articles, prepositions, and word forms (e.g., 'declaring illegal at public places', 'making it illegal', 'other measures are must', 'every aspect must be in proceeded'). Punctuation errors, such as spaces before commas, are also present. These errors occasionally cause difficulty for the reader, placing the grammar performance firmly within the Band 5.0 range.
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