Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-07-28

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Smoking can cause serious illnesses and should be made illegal.

To what extent do you agree?

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

Student answer (Band 8.5)

Smoking is widely recognised as a major cause of serious health problems, including lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses. While some people believe that smoking should be made completely illegal because of its harmful effects, I partly agree with this view. Although smoking should be strictly controlled, I do not believe that a total ban is the most effective solution.

There is no doubt that smoking has serious consequences for both smokers and non-smokers. People who smoke are at a much higher risk of developing life-threatening diseases, and second-hand smoke can also harm family members, children, and other people nearby. In addition, governments spend billions of dollars each year treating smoking-related illnesses, placing a heavy burden on healthcare systems.

However, making smoking completely illegal could create new problems. History has shown that banning popular products often leads to illegal trade and black markets, making it more difficult for governments to regulate their sale. Adults should also have the freedom to make their own lifestyle choices, provided they do not harm others. Instead of banning smoking entirely, governments should focus on reducing its use through education and regulation.

In my opinion, stricter measures are a better solution than a complete ban. Governments can increase taxes on tobacco products, prohibit smoking in public places, restrict advertising, and provide support for people who want to quit. Public awareness campaigns and smoking cessation programs can also encourage healthier lifestyles without removing individual freedom.

In conclusion, although smoking causes serious diseases and affects public health, I do not believe it should be made completely illegal. A combination of strict regulations, higher taxes, and educational campaigns is likely to be more effective in reducing smoking while respecting personal choice.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction, maintaining a balanced view throughout the essay. Each paragraph contributes to the development of your argument, providing logical reasons such as the risk of black markets and the importance of individual freedom. The ideas are well-supported with relevant examples and explanations, such as the mention of healthcare costs and the suggestion of alternative measures like taxation and education. The conclusion effectively summarizes your stance, ensuring the response is cohesive and task-focused.

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 health impacts, moving to the risks of prohibition, and concluding with alternative solutions. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In addition', 'However', and 'In conclusion', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the relationship between sentences is clear throughout the text, making the essay easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an IELTS essay. Phrases such as 'widely recognised', 'life-threatening diseases', 'heavy burden', and 'smoking cessation programs' show a strong command of topic-specific language. The vocabulary is used naturally and accurately, contributing to the clarity of your argument. While the vocabulary is consistently accurate and fits the context well, incorporating a few more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions could elevate the score further, but the current range is sufficient for a high band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively, such as the conditional clause 'provided they do not harm others' and the concessive clause 'Although smoking should be strictly controlled'. Punctuation is accurate, and there are virtually no errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the overall flow is smooth and professional, reflecting a strong grasp of English grammar.

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