Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-08-05

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 7.0)

Smoking is widely recognized as one of the leading causes of preventable diseases, including lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory disorders. While some people argue that smoking should be completely banned because of its harmful effects, I only partly agree with this view. Although governments should take strong measures to reduce tobacco consumption, making smoking entirely illegal is neither practical nor effective.

On the one hand, there are compelling reasons to impose strict restrictions on smoking. Tobacco use not only damages the health of smokers but also endangers non-smokers through exposure to second-hand smoke. According to the World Health Organization, millions of people die each year from smoking-related illnesses, placing an enormous burden on healthcare systems. Furthermore, smoking can reduce workplace productivity and increase public medical expenses. Therefore, governments are justified in implementing policies such as high tobacco taxes, public smoking bans, and educational campaigns to discourage smoking.

On the other hand, completely outlawing smoking could create more problems than it solves. Adults should have the freedom to make personal lifestyle choices, even if those choices involve certain health risks. History has shown that prohibiting widely used products often leads to illegal markets, smuggling, and organized crime. For example, the prohibition of alcohol in the United States during the 1920s resulted in widespread illegal trade rather than eliminating consumption. A similar outcome could occur if tobacco products were entirely banned, making regulation even more difficult.

Instead of a total ban, governments should focus on reducing smoking rates through balanced and evidence-based policies. These may include increasing cigarette prices through taxation, enforcing plain packaging, restricting advertising, providing free smoking cessation programs, and educating young people about the long-term health consequences of tobacco use. Such measures have proven highly effective in countries like Australia, where smoking rates have declined significantly over the past two decades.

In conclusion, although smoking poses a serious threat to both individual and public health, making it completely illegal is unlikely to be the best solution. A combination of strict regulation, public education, and accessible support for quitting smoking would be a more practical and effective approach to protecting public health.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction, arguing for regulation rather than a total ban, and maintained this stance throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the comparison to the prohibition of alcohol in the 1920s, which serves as a strong, relevant example to support your argument. Each paragraph contributes logically to the overall position, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your main points. The response is balanced, acknowledging the health risks of smoking while providing a pragmatic counter-argument regarding the feasibility of a total ban.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

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 linking phrases such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Instead of a total ban'. Cohesive devices are used naturally and accurately throughout the text. The paragraphing is skillful, with each section serving a distinct purpose in the development of your argument. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of cohesive devices, and the flow of information is easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision and natural control. Phrases like 'preventable diseases', 'enormous burden', 'evidence-based policies', and 'smoking cessation programs' show a high level of lexical sophistication. The word choices are consistently appropriate for the academic context of the task. There are no noticeable errors in collocation or word choice, and the vocabulary effectively conveys your arguments with clarity and nuance. The language is consistently natural and precise throughout the entire response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a wide range of complex grammatical structures, including conditional sentences, passive voice, and varied subordinate clauses. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation and syntax is excellent. You have successfully integrated complex sentence forms without sacrificing clarity. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and the overall accuracy is very high. The use of varied sentence structures contributes to the fluent and professional tone of the writing.

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