Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS General Essentials · 2026-09-08

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 7.5)

Smoking is widely recognised as a major cause of serious health problems, and some people therefore believe that it should be completely prohibited. Although I agree that smoking causes considerable harm to both individuals and society, I do not believe that making it entirely illegal is the most effective solution.

There are several strong reasons why smoking should be strictly controlled. First, tobacco consumption can lead to serious illnesses and can significantly reduce people's quality of life. In addition, passive smoking can affect people who do not smoke themselves, particularly children and other family members. For example, people who regularly live or work around smokers may be exposed to harmful substances even though they have chosen not to smoke. Therefore, governments have a responsibility to protect the public from the harmful effects of tobacco.

However, a complete ban on cigarettes could be difficult to enforce and may encourage an illegal market. If tobacco products were prohibited overnight, some smokers might turn to unregulated sources, where products could be unsafe and difficult for authorities to monitor. Furthermore, governments would lose significant tax revenue that is currently generated from tobacco sales. Rather than imposing an absolute ban, authorities could adopt stricter measures, such as increasing tobacco taxes, restricting advertising, banning smoking in public places and providing free or affordable programmes to help smokers quit.

In my view, education is also essential. Young people should be taught about the long-term consequences of smoking so that they can make informed decisions before developing an addiction. For instance, schools can provide health education and explain the effects of tobacco use, while governments can run public-awareness campaigns aimed at discouraging people from starting to smoke.

In conclusion, I strongly agree that smoking is harmful and should be subject to strict government control. However, I do not completely agree that it should be made illegal. A combination of regulation, public education, higher taxes and support for people who want to quit would be a more practical and effective approach.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction, acknowledging the harm of smoking while arguing against a total ban. Each paragraph develops a distinct, relevant argument: the health risks and passive smoking, the practical difficulties of enforcement (black market/tax loss), and the alternative of education. The ideas are well-supported with logical reasoning and examples, such as the mention of 'unregulated sources' and 'public-awareness campaigns'. Your position remains consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesises your main points, demonstrating a clear and well-developed argument that meets the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the arguments is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Although', 'In addition', 'Furthermore', and 'In my view', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different facets of the issue. The relationship between ideas is clear, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive usage. The structure is sophisticated and supports the overall flow of the essay perfectly.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the topic. Phrases such as 'strictly controlled', 'unregulated sources', 'long-term consequences', and 'informed decisions' show a good command of collocation and academic tone. There are no significant errors in word choice or spelling. While the vocabulary is precise and effective, it occasionally leans towards standard academic collocations rather than highly sophisticated or idiomatic expressions, which keeps it firmly in the strong band 7 to 8 range. The language is natural and contributes to the clarity of your argument.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'If tobacco products were prohibited overnight, some smokers might turn to...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense is excellent. You use modal verbs appropriately to express degrees of certainty and necessity. There are no recurring grammatical errors, and the few minor slips that might occur are not present here. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of accuracy throughout the entire piece.

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