Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-08-21

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 widely recognised as a major cause of serious health problems, and some people therefore believe that it should be made illegal. I largely agree with this view because smoking not only harms smokers themselves but also affects people around them. However, I believe that a complete ban would be difficult to implement.

The main reason for restricting smoking is its harmful effect on public health. Regular smokers have a greater risk of developing serious illnesses, particularly those affecting the lungs and heart. Furthermore, the consequences are not limited to smokers. People who regularly inhale second-hand smoke may also experience health problems despite choosing not to smoke themselves. For example, children living with parents who smoke indoors can be repeatedly exposed to harmful substances. Therefore, stricter controls on smoking could protect both smokers and the wider public.

However, making cigarettes completely illegal may create additional problems. Since millions of people are addicted to smoking, an immediate ban could encourage the illegal sale of cigarettes rather than eliminate their use. This would make the industry more difficult for governments to regulate. Instead, governments could continue increasing taxes on cigarettes, restrict smoking in public places and provide support for people who want to quit. These measures could gradually reduce smoking without creating a large illegal market.

In conclusion, I strongly agree that smoking should be discouraged because of its serious effects on both individual and public health. Nevertheless, rather than introducing a complete ban, governments should impose strict regulations and help smokers overcome their addiction.

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, acknowledging the health risks while presenting a nuanced argument against a total ban. The ideas are well-developed, with the first body paragraph focusing on health consequences and the second on the practical limitations of prohibition. You provide relevant examples, such as the impact on children and the potential for an illegal market, which supports your argument effectively. The response is balanced and maintains a consistent position throughout, 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 the argument for restriction and the argument against a total ban is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Furthermore', 'However', and 'Instead', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of your reasoning. The flow is natural, and the relationship between sentences is clear, demonstrating a high level of control over the structure of the essay.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'widely recognised', 'repeatedly exposed', and 'impose strict regulations' show a good command of language. While the vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for the task, it stays within a relatively standard range. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common collocations. However, the current usage is precise, and there are no errors in word choice that impede communication or cause confusion for the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional and concessive clauses (e.g., 'Since millions of people are addicted...', '...despite choosing not to smoke themselves'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no significant errors that distract the reader. The grammatical structures used are flexible and contribute to the overall clarity and professional tone of the writing. It is a very solid performance in terms of accuracy and range.

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