Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-01

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

People should never eat meat because raising animals for human consumption is cruel.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Give reasons for your answer, and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 8.5)

Some people believe that eating meat should be completely avoided because raising animals for food is cruel. While I understand the concerns about animal welfare, I do not completely agree that people should never eat meat. Instead, I believe that the focus should be on ensuring that animals are treated humanely.

Those who support banning meat consumption argue that many farm animals live in poor conditions before they are slaughtered. In some large-scale farming operations, animals are kept in overcrowded spaces and may suffer unnecessary stress and pain. From this perspective, refusing to eat meat can reduce the demand for such practices and encourage people to adopt more ethical lifestyles. Furthermore, modern diets provide many plant-based alternatives that can supply the nutrients people need.

However, I believe that eating meat is acceptable if animals are raised and slaughtered responsibly. Meat has been an important part of human diets for centuries and is a valuable source of protein, iron, and vitamins. In many regions, including rural communities, raising livestock is also an essential source of income and supports local economies. Rather than banning meat altogether, governments should introduce stricter animal welfare laws and encourage farms to follow humane practices. Consumers can also choose meat from producers that meet high ethical standards.

In my opinion, the problem lies in the treatment of animals rather than meat consumption itself. Improving farming standards would reduce unnecessary suffering while allowing people to continue eating meat if they choose. This balanced approach is more practical than expecting everyone to become vegetarian or vegan.

In conclusion, although animal cruelty is a serious issue, I disagree that people should never eat meat. Better animal welfare regulations and responsible farming offer a more effective solution than completely eliminating meat from our diets.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt. Your position is clear from the introduction and is maintained consistently throughout the essay. You provide a balanced argument by acknowledging the ethical concerns regarding animal welfare while presenting a well-reasoned counter-argument focused on responsible farming and economic factors. The ideas are well-developed, with relevant examples such as the mention of rural economies and the distinction between consumption and treatment. The conclusion effectively summarizes your stance, ensuring the response is cohesive and focused on the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, starting with the opposing view, moving to your own perspective, and concluding with a summary. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'While I understand', 'Furthermore', 'However', and 'In conclusion', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the transition between the acknowledgement of the opposing view and your own stance is smooth and natural. The flow of information is consistent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the task. You use topic-specific terms such as 'large-scale farming operations', 'ethical standards', 'livestock', and 'plant-based alternatives' accurately. The language is natural and precise, allowing you to convey your ideas clearly. While the vocabulary is sufficient and effective, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations could elevate the response further. However, there are no errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication, and the tone remains formal and academic throughout.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

Your grammar is strong, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use subordinating conjunctions effectively, such as in the sentence 'While I understand the concerns about animal welfare, I do not completely agree that people should never eat meat.' The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. There are no significant grammatical slips that distract the reader. The structure is varied enough to maintain interest and demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English grammar.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.