Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-08-10

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)

It is widely acknowledged that any form of smoke is harmful to health and is considered a leading cause of serious illnesses in humans. I strongly support the idea that the production of all types of cigarettes should be entirely prohibited and that strict regulations must be enforced.

On one side, it is unsurprising that tobacco use for enjoyment is common worldwide. However, it clearly impacts people’s health later in life, leading to cancer and other fatal diseases. Moreover, UNICEF has conducted nationwide surveys in the United States, revealing that 3 out of 10 individuals, approximately 30% of the population, suffer from illnesses related to tobacco use. Although modern technology has enabled doctors to develop treatments against cancer, success remains limited. The harmful chemicals in cigarettes cause irreversible damage to the lungs and other organs, which makes prevention far more effective than treatment. Therefore, tobacco use should be avoided as much as possible to protect public health and reduce the burden on healthcare systems.

On the other side, it should be impossible for tobacco to be produced illegally, and the government must take full responsibility for protecting its citizens. For example, the government should oversee all tobacco production to ensure strict compliance with laws. While some tobacco is still used for medicinal purposes, production rights should not be granted to private companies that prioritize profit over public health. Additionally, strict regulations must be imposed on anyone involved in tobacco manufacturing, including lifelong heavy fines and legal consequences for violations. Public education campaigns should also be funded to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking and discourage tobacco use.

In conclusion, it is essential for people to raise awareness to reduce smoking in society, and for the government to implement a comprehensive plan to ensure full responsibility in preventing illegal tobacco sales and protecting public health.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas are relevant and generally well-developed, particularly the discussion on the health impacts of smoking. However, the argument regarding the government's role is slightly contradictory; you initially argue for a total ban, but then suggest the government should 'oversee' production and allow it for 'medicinal purposes'. This inconsistency weakens the strength of your central argument. To reach a higher band, ensure your supporting points consistently align with your thesis statement throughout the entire response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. You use cohesive devices such as 'On one side', 'Moreover', and 'In conclusion' effectively to guide the reader through your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The progression of ideas is generally smooth, although the transition between the idea of a total ban and the suggestion of government oversight could be more seamless to avoid the slight confusion noted in the task achievement section.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'widely acknowledged', 'irreversible damage', and 'comprehensive plan' are used accurately. There is some awareness of collocation, though some word choices could be more sophisticated. For instance, 'production of all types of cigarettes' could be refined to 'the manufacture of tobacco products'. Overall, the vocabulary is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication of your ideas without significant errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is good. There are occasional minor slips, such as 'it should be impossible for tobacco to be produced illegally', which is slightly awkward phrasing. However, these errors do not impede communication. To improve, try to incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences or passive voice constructions, to demonstrate greater flexibility.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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