Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-08

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 7.5)

It is often argued that people should completely stop eating meat because raising animals for human consumption is cruel. Although I agree that animal welfare is an important concern, I do not believe that everyone should be expected to give up meat entirely. In my view, responsible farming practices and moderate consumption are a more realistic solution.

On the one hand, there are valid reasons for reducing meat consumption. Animals raised for food may experience poor living conditions, particularly on intensive farms where large numbers of animals are kept in restricted spaces. In addition, some farming practices can cause unnecessary suffering to animals. For people who are concerned about animal welfare, reducing or avoiding meat can therefore be an ethical choice. For example, an increasing number of consumers are choosing plant-based products because they do not want to contribute to practices that they consider harmful to animals.

On the other hand, completely eliminating meat from people's diets may not be necessary or practical. Meat is an important source of protein and other nutrients for many people, and it has traditionally been part of the diet in numerous cultures. Furthermore, not all farms treat animals in the same way. Some farmers use higher welfare standards and provide animals with better living conditions. Therefore, instead of completely banning meat consumption, governments could introduce stricter regulations to ensure that animals are treated humanely throughout the farming process.

In conclusion, although I understand the ethical concerns surrounding the treatment of animals, I disagree that people should never eat meat. I believe that reducing excessive consumption and improving animal welfare standards would be a more practical and balanced approach.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it consistently throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, balancing the ethical concerns of animal welfare with the practical realities of human nutrition and cultural traditions. You provide relevant examples, such as the mention of plant-based products, to support your claims. The ideas are extended logically, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your main points. The response is balanced and demonstrates a clear understanding of the complexity of the topic, meeting all requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two sides of the argument is smooth, using effective cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'In addition,' and 'Furthermore.' Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between ideas is always clear. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, and the overall structure supports the reader's understanding of your argument perfectly.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases such as 'intensive farms,' 'restricted spaces,' 'unnecessary suffering,' and 'humane' are used accurately and appropriately in context. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band. For instance, instead of 'important concern,' you might use 'significant ethical dilemma.' However, the current range is flexible enough to convey your meaning clearly and effectively without any noticeable errors in word choice or collocation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of 'Although' clauses and conditional-like reasoning. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no significant errors that impede communication. You use a mix of simple and complex forms effectively to maintain the reader's interest. To improve further, you could incorporate a wider variety of advanced grammatical structures, such as inversion or more complex passive constructions, to demonstrate even greater flexibility.

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