Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-08-26

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 Should Be Made Illegal

Smoking is a common habit in many countries, even though it is well known that it can cause serious health problems. Some people believe that smoking should be completely banned by law. I strongly agree with this opinion because smoking damages the health of smokers, affects other people and creates additional pressure on healthcare systems.

The main reason for making smoking illegal is its harmful effect on people's health. Regular smoking can lead to serious illnesses such as lung cancer, heart disease and breathing problems. Many smokers become addicted to nicotine and find it difficult to stop, even when they understand the risks. For example, a person who starts smoking at a young age may continue for many years and develop serious health problems later in life. If cigarettes were illegal, fewer young people might start smoking in the first place.

Another important reason is that smoking can also affect non-smokers. Second-hand smoke can be harmful, particularly to children, elderly people and those with breathing difficulties. For instance, children who regularly live in a house where someone smokes may be exposed to harmful chemicals without choosing to do so. Therefore, banning smoking could create a healthier environment for everyone.

On the other hand, some people argue that adults should have the freedom to decide whether they want to smoke. While personal freedom is important, I believe it should not be more important than public health. Governments already restrict many harmful products, and preventing smoking could reduce healthcare costs and improve people's quality of life.

In conclusion, I strongly agree that smoking should be made illegal. Although people should have personal freedom, the serious health consequences of smoking and its effects on others make a strong case for a complete ban.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt. Your position is clear from the introduction and is maintained consistently throughout the essay. Each paragraph presents a relevant, well-developed argument, such as the health risks to smokers, the impact of second-hand smoke on non-smokers, and the counter-argument regarding personal freedom. The ideas are extended with logical reasoning and relevant examples, such as the mention of nicotine addiction and the vulnerability of children. The response is well-structured and directly answers the 'to what extent' question by providing a balanced yet firm stance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. You use a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'The main reason', 'Another important reason', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion'. These markers help guide the reader through your argument without being repetitive. The paragraphing is appropriate, with each section focusing on a distinct aspect of the topic. The logical flow is consistent, and the relationship between ideas is always clear.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'serious health problems', 'addicted to nicotine', 'exposed to harmful chemicals', and 'public health' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it leans towards standard, everyday language. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items, such as 'detrimental consequences', 'mitigate', or 'individual autonomy'. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task, and there are no errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your writing displays a good command of both simple and complex sentence structures. You use conditional sentences effectively, such as 'If cigarettes were illegal, fewer young people might start smoking', and complex structures like 'Although people should have personal freedom, the serious health consequences...'. The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant grammatical slips that distract the reader. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.

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