Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-18

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 8.0)

People have different views about whether humans should stop eating meat because raising animals for food is considered cruel. Although I agree that some forms of animal farming can cause unnecessary suffering, I do not believe that people should completely avoid meat. In my opinion, improving animal welfare and encouraging responsible consumption would be a more practical approach.

On the one hand, there are valid reasons to oppose the consumption of meat. In particular, animals raised on intensive farms may be kept in overcrowded and uncomfortable conditions. They can experience stress and poor treatment, especially when farmers focus primarily on increasing production and reducing costs. For example, some large-scale farms keep livestock in confined spaces for long periods, which can negatively affect their well-being. Therefore, stricter animal-welfare regulations are necessary to prevent unnecessary suffering.

On the other hand, completely eliminating meat from people’s diets may be unreasonable. Meat provides important nutrients, including protein, iron and vitamin B12, and it is a traditional part of many people’s diets around the world. In addition, livestock farming provides employment and income for millions of farmers and their families. More importantly, not all farmers raise animals in cruel conditions. Many smaller farms follow responsible practices and provide animals with sufficient food, space and proper care. Therefore, it would be unfair to assume that all meat production is inherently cruel.

In conclusion, although I agree that certain methods of raising animals for human consumption are unethical, I disagree that people should never eat meat. Instead, governments should enforce stronger animal-welfare standards, while consumers should make more responsible choices about the meat they purchase.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, balancing the ethical concerns regarding animal welfare with the practical and nutritional arguments for meat consumption. The ideas are extended with relevant examples, such as the mention of intensive farming versus smaller, responsible farms. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position, and the overall structure demonstrates a thoughtful approach to the task requirements. You have successfully provided a balanced perspective that directly answers the 'to what extent' component of the question.

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 appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. The use of referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is used effectively to separate distinct points. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between sentences is easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, which contributes to a very readable and coherent piece of writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic task. You use precise terms such as 'intensive farms', 'inherently cruel', 'animal-welfare regulations', and 'unnecessary suffering'. The vocabulary is used naturally and accurately throughout the text. While the range is sufficient and precise, it could be pushed further into the 'wide and sophisticated' category by incorporating more nuanced collocations or less common academic synonyms. However, the current level is strong, and there are no errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication or cause confusion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of complex structures, such as conditional-like reasoning ('if... then' implied) and concessive clauses ('Although I agree that...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is accurate. The control over verb tenses and subject-verb agreement is consistent. There are no significant grammatical slips that distract the reader. The complexity of the sentence structures is sufficient to meet the requirements for a high band score, as you successfully combine simple and complex forms to convey your arguments clearly and effectively.

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