Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-08-03

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 8.0)

Smoking is a major cause of serious health problems, including lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses. While I strongly agree that smoking is harmful and that governments should take strict measures to reduce its use, I do not believe that making smoking completely illegal is the best solution.

On the one hand, smoking places a heavy burden on public health systems and exposes non-smokers to the dangers of second-hand smoke. Many countries spend billions of dollars each year treating smoking-related diseases. Furthermore, children and other vulnerable groups may suffer health problems simply by being around smokers. Therefore, governments should continue to introduce policies such as banning smoking in public places, increasing taxes on tobacco products, and running public awareness campaigns to discourage smoking.

In addition, making smoking entirely illegal could create new problems. History has shown that banning popular products often leads to illegal markets and smuggling. Instead of eliminating smoking, a complete ban may encourage the sale of unregulated tobacco products, making the situation even more difficult to control. Adults should also have the freedom to make their own choices, provided that their actions do not harm others.

In my opinion, education and strict regulation are more effective than a complete ban. Governments should focus on helping smokers quit by providing counselling, nicotine replacement therapies, and accessible healthcare services. These measures can reduce smoking rates while respecting individual rights.

In conclusion, although smoking is extremely harmful and should be strongly discouraged, I disagree that it should be made completely illegal. A combination of education, regulation, and support for quitting is a more practical and effective approach to protecting public health.

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, arguing against a total ban while acknowledging the health risks of smoking. Each paragraph develops a distinct, relevant argument: the public health burden, the risks of prohibition (illegal markets), and the preference for education over legislation. The ideas are well-supported with logical reasoning, such as the comparison to historical precedents regarding banned products. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position, ensuring the response remains focused and relevant throughout. The development of ideas is balanced and persuasive, meeting the 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 paragraphs is smooth, using effective cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'In addition,' and 'In conclusion.' The use of referencing is precise, and the flow of arguments is natural. The paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points, which helps the reader follow your line of reasoning without difficulty. The cohesive devices are used flexibly and contribute to the overall clarity of the text, making the essay easy to read and follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the task. Phrases such as 'heavy burden on public health systems,' 'unregulated tobacco products,' and 'nicotine replacement therapies' show a good command of topic-specific language. You use less common lexical items with precision and awareness of style. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is used naturally throughout the essay. The language is sophisticated enough to convey your arguments effectively, reflecting a strong lexical range that supports the clarity and impact of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and varied clause types. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and syntax is excellent. You use modals and conditional structures effectively to express your opinion and hypothetical scenarios, such as 'provided that their actions do not harm others.' There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The writing is fluent, and the grammatical accuracy is consistent throughout, which is indicative of a high level of proficiency.

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