Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-09-05

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 recognized as a major cause of serious health problems, including lung cancer, heart disease and respiratory illnesses. Some people therefore argue that smoking should be made illegal. I largely disagree with this view because, although smoking causes significant harm, banning it completely would be difficult to enforce and could create other social problems.

There is no doubt that smoking has severe consequences for both smokers and people around them. Regular exposure to tobacco smoke can increase the risk of various life-threatening diseases, while second-hand smoke can also harm non-smokers. In addition, smoking places a considerable burden on healthcare systems because governments may have to spend large amounts of money treating smoking-related illnesses. For these reasons, governments should take strong measures to reduce smoking rates.

However, making smoking completely illegal may not be the most effective solution. Adults are generally allowed to make personal choices, even when those choices involve some degree of risk. A total ban could also lead to illegal production and sales of tobacco products, making them more difficult for authorities to regulate. Instead, governments can discourage smoking through high taxes, restrictions on advertising, smoke-free public areas and easily accessible programs to help people quit. For example, increasing the price of cigarettes can discourage young people from starting the habit while encouraging existing smokers to reduce their consumption.

In my view, the best approach is to regulate smoking strictly rather than prohibit it entirely. Governments should continue educating the public about its dangers and provide affordable support for those who want to quit. At the same time, smoking should be prohibited in enclosed public spaces and other areas where it could harm others.

In conclusion, although smoking causes serious illnesses and should be strongly controlled, I do not believe that making it completely illegal is the best solution. A combination of strict regulations, public education and effective smoking-cessation programs would be more practical and likely to achieve better long-term results.

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, arguing against a total ban while advocating for strict regulation. Your ideas are well-developed, particularly in the third paragraph where you provide a logical counter-argument regarding the potential for illegal markets and the effectiveness of alternative measures like taxation and education. The response is balanced and maintains a consistent focus on the prompt throughout. The arguments are supported by relevant reasoning, demonstrating a strong grasp of the topic.

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 arguments is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In addition', 'However', and 'In my view', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the response. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words; the flow is natural and professional.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic or formal context. Phrases such as 'life-threatening diseases', 'considerable burden', 'smoking-cessation programs', and 'prohibit it entirely' show a good command of collocation and style. The vocabulary is precise and contributes to the clarity of your arguments. There are no significant errors in word choice, and the language used is sophisticated enough to convey your points effectively without being overly complex or forced.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'although smoking causes significant harm, banning it completely would be difficult...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is excellent. There are no noticeable grammatical slips that impede communication. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of accuracy, consistent with the requirements for a high band score.

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