Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-07-30
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 one of the main causes of many serious diseases, such as lung cancer and heart problems. Because of its harmful effects, some people believe that smoking should be made illegal. I partly agree with this opinion because although smoking is dangerous, banning it completely is not the best solution.
On the one hand, smoking has a negative impact on both smokers and people around them. Many studies have shown that cigarettes contain harmful chemicals that can lead to serious illnesses. In addition, passive smoking can affect non-smokers, especially children and elderly people. For example, children who grow up in families where parents smoke are more likely to develop breathing problems. Therefore, governments should take strong action to reduce smoking in public places and raise awareness about its health risks.
On the other hand, making smoking completely illegal may create more problems. Many adults choose to smoke even though they know the risks, and they should have the freedom to make their own decisions. Furthermore, banning cigarettes could encourage illegal trade and increase criminal activities, as happened with other prohibited products in some countries. Instead of a total ban, governments can increase taxes on tobacco products, introduce stricter advertising rules, and provide support for people who want to quit smoking.
In conclusion, although smoking causes serious health problems and should be controlled, I do not believe it should be made completely illegal. I think education, higher taxes, and stricter regulations are more effective ways to reduce smoking while respecting individual freedom.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.5 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have taken a clear position from the introduction, stating that you 'partly agree' and providing a balanced argument. The ideas are well-developed, with the first body paragraph focusing on the health risks and the second on the practical and ethical implications of a ban. You provide relevant examples, such as the impact of passive smoking on children and the potential for illegal trade, which supports your position effectively. The conclusion reinforces your stance, ensuring the response is cohesive and focused throughout.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
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 linking phrases like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. Cohesive devices are used effectively, such as 'In addition', 'Therefore', and 'Furthermore', which help guide the reader through your reasoning. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the two main arguments, and the conclusion, making the text easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases such as 'passive smoking', 'illegal trade', and 'tobacco products' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it leans towards standard usage rather than sophisticated or idiomatic expressions. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more nuanced collocations or less common lexical items related to public policy and health. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task, and there are no errors in word choice that impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use complex sentences effectively, such as 'Although smoking causes serious health problems and should be controlled, I do not believe it should be made completely illegal.' The grammar is highly accurate, with very few, if any, errors. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and the control over verb tenses and subject-verb agreement is consistent. The writing is fluent and error-free, which reflects a high level of grammatical control.
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