Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-08-28

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)

It is often argued that smoking should be prohibited because it can lead to serious health problems. Although some people may view a complete ban as excessive, I largely agree that smoking should be made illegal because it causes significant health risks and places a burden on society.

One of the main reasons why I support this view is that smoking poses a serious threat to people's health. Tobacco contains harmful substances that can cause various life-threatening diseases, including lung cancer and heart disease. For instance, people who smoke regularly are considerably more likely to develop chronic respiratory problems than non-smokers. Consequently, banning cigarettes could reduce the number of people exposed to these harmful substances and potentially save thousands of lives. This demonstrates why restricting smoking could be an effective way to protect public health.

A further consideration is the financial burden that smoking places on individuals and society. Treating smoking-related illnesses can require substantial medical resources, while smokers may also experience reduced productivity because of poor health. For example, governments often have to spend large amounts of money treating diseases associated with long-term tobacco use. Although a complete ban could be difficult to enforce and might encourage illegal tobacco markets, stronger restrictions could still reduce smoking rates and lower these social and economic costs.

In conclusion, I largely agree that smoking should be made illegal because of its serious impact on public health and the financial burden it creates. However, governments should introduce such a policy gradually and combine it with education and support for people trying to quit.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the focus on public health and the economic burden on society. You provide relevant examples, such as the mention of lung cancer and heart disease, which support your arguments effectively. The conclusion provides a balanced view by suggesting a gradual implementation, which adds depth to your argument. The response is well-structured and directly answers the prompt regarding the extent of your agreement.

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 paragraphs is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'consequently', 'for instance', and 'a further consideration', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between ideas is always clear, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the task. Phrases like 'prohibited', 'life-threatening diseases', 'chronic respiratory problems', and 'substantial medical resources' show a strong command of topic-specific language. The vocabulary is used accurately and naturally, contributing to the clarity of your arguments. While there is room for even more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions to reach the highest band, the current range is more than sufficient to convey your ideas with precision and flexibility.

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., 'Although some people may view... I largely agree...' and 'If... then...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is consistent throughout the text. There are no significant errors that impede communication. The grammatical accuracy is high, and the range of structures used is sufficient to support a clear and sophisticated argument.

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