Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-10-16

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 6.0)

Prohibiting smoking in open areas remains a complex issue. It is ideal to use other means to discourage smoking. I strongly believe that effective ways to promote to stop smoking outweighs making smoking illegal in shared spaces. Making smoking unlawful have short-term benefits, but not long-term ones.

Education and awareness plays a pivotal role in reducing smoking in common areas. For instance having signs explaining the effects of second hand smoke on children or people with poor immune system. In addition the information should always be shared in community centres, GP surgeries and schools. Offering support and not punishment through NHS stop smoking services can be useful.

Moreover creating voluntary smoke free zones. It is important to Designate areas as "Smoke -Free" by choice, not by law. This places includes playgrounds, park benches and school gates. There should be ise of positive signs also namely, "Thank you for keeping this area smoke-free for children".

Lastly, compaigns that reward healthy behaviour can lead to reduction of smoking in shared spaces. Encouraging role models like teachers and community leaders to stop puffing in these spaces is an added advantage. Peer support groups where people educate each other tend to help also because it keeps everyone upto date with healthy information. Furthermore promoting sports, walking groups and social activities as alternatives is fundamental.

In summary, banning public smoking seems to be a harsh action. There are other instruments that can be used to urge people not to smoke in public space. Encouragement and support offer long-term while prohibiting offer a short-term.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

Your position is clear: you favour education, support and voluntary measures over making public smoking illegal. You develop several relevant alternatives, including stop-smoking services, smoke-free zones and campaigns, with examples such as signs near playgrounds and school gates. However, the task asks you to discuss both views, and the case for legal bans receives only brief treatment in the introduction and conclusion. The claim that bans have short-term benefits but not long-term ones is not explained or supported, so one side of the discussion remains underdeveloped. To strengthen the response, explain why some people support legal restrictions—for example, protecting the public from second-hand smoke—and then compare their benefits and limitations with your preferred measures.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, three paragraphs presenting alternatives, and a concluding summary. Paragraphs generally focus on related ideas, and signposting such as “Moreover,” “Lastly” and “In summary” helps readers follow the sequence. However, the progression is mainly a list of measures rather than a developed comparison of the two views in the question. Some links are mechanical, and the relationship between points is occasionally unclear—for example, the move from voluntary smoke-free zones to campaigns and role models. Referencing in “This places includes” is also unclear. Organise the body around the two positions, and use linking phrases to show how each reason supports or contrasts with your opinion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “second hand smoke,” “immune system,” “voluntary smoke free zones,” “role models” and “peer support groups.” These choices make the subject clear, and some phrases show an attempt to use more specific language. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “promote to stop smoking,” “instruments” for measures, and “stop puffing.” Spelling and form errors, including “compaigns,” “ise” and “upto,” also reduce precision. Aim for natural collocations and consistent forms: for example, “encourage people to quit smoking,” “measures” and “smoke in public.” Proofreading would help preserve the range you are attempting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including examples introduced by “For instance” and clauses beginning with “because.” Most of the meaning remains understandable, but some errors in agreement, verb forms, articles and sentence construction are noticeable. For example, “Education and awareness plays” should use a plural verb, while “Making smoking unlawful have” also has a subject–verb agreement problem. “There should be ise of positive signs” is structurally incomplete, and “This places includes” has an agreement error. Capitalisation within sentences, as in “Designate,” and punctuation around introductory phrases also need attention. Check each sentence for a clear subject and verb, and practise accurate complex sentences before adding further complexity.

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