Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-08-24

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)

# IELTS Writing Task 2 — Band 8 Model Essay

Smoking is widely recognised as a major cause of serious illnesses, including heart disease, respiratory disorders and various forms of cancer. Although some people argue that individuals should have the freedom to smoke, I largely agree that smoking should be made illegal because of its significant effects on public health and the wider costs imposed on society.

One of the main reasons for banning smoking is its harmful impact on human health. Cigarettes contain numerous toxic substances that can cause long-term damage to the lungs, heart and other organs. Furthermore, the dangers are not limited to smokers themselves, as people who are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke can also develop serious health problems. For example, children who grow up in households where parents smoke may be exposed to harmful chemicals even though they do not smoke themselves. Making smoking illegal would therefore protect both smokers and the wider population from its harmful effects.

Another important reason is the considerable economic and social burden associated with smoking-related illnesses. Governments spend substantial amounts of money treating conditions that are linked to tobacco consumption, while individuals who become seriously ill may be unable to work and support their families. In addition, the premature death of smokers can have devastating financial and emotional consequences for their relatives. By reducing smoking rates, governments could redirect some of the resources currently spent on treating tobacco-related diseases towards other areas of healthcare.

However, an immediate and complete ban could be difficult to enforce, particularly in countries where tobacco consumption is widespread. It could also encourage an illegal tobacco market if demand remains high. For this reason, governments could introduce a gradual ban supported by higher tobacco taxes, stricter restrictions on smoking in public places, comprehensive public education and accessible smoking-cessation programmes.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that smoking should eventually be made illegal because its harmful effects extend beyond individual smokers and place a considerable burden on society. Nevertheless, this should be implemented gradually and alongside effective measures to help smokers quit and prevent the growth of an illegal tobacco market.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments regarding public health and economic burden are well-developed and supported with logical reasoning and relevant examples, such as the impact on children and the strain on healthcare resources. The counter-argument in the fourth paragraph is handled maturely, acknowledging the practical difficulties of a ban while proposing a nuanced, multi-faceted approach. This demonstrates a high level of task response, as you have considered the complexity of the issue rather than providing a one-dimensional argument.

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 paragraphs is smooth. You use a wide range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Furthermore', 'In addition', 'For this reason', and 'Nevertheless', which help guide the reader through your argument without being repetitive or mechanical. The paragraphing is skillful, with each section serving a distinct purpose in the overall structure of the essay. The flow of information is natural and coherent throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, using precise and sophisticated terms such as 'respiratory disorders', 'premature death', 'tobacco-related diseases', and 'smoking-cessation programmes'. The collocations are natural and accurate, showing a high level of control. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling. The language used is appropriate for an academic or formal context, and you successfully incorporate less common lexical items to convey your points with precision and clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and varied sentence beginnings. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation and tense usage is excellent. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. You demonstrate the ability to use complex structures, such as 'Although some people argue that...', and 'By reducing smoking rates, governments could...', with high accuracy. The writing is polished and demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence.

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