Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-08-01

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)

Smoking is a major cause of preventable diseases and deaths around the world. While many people argue that tobacco should be made completely illegal because of its harmful effects, I partly agree with this view. Although smoking poses serious risks to both smokers and non-smokers, banning it entirely is unlikely to be the most effective solution.

On the one hand, there are strong reasons to support stricter laws against smoking. First, tobacco use is directly linked to serious health problems such as lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses. In addition, passive smoking can also endanger the health of people who do not smoke, especially children and the elderly. As a result, governments have a responsibility to protect public health by introducing measures such as smoke-free public places, higher taxes on cigarettes, and restrictions on tobacco advertising.

On the other hand, making smoking completely illegal could create new problems. History has shown that banning popular products often leads to illegal trade and black markets, making it more difficult for governments to regulate their sale and quality. Furthermore, adults should have the freedom to make their own lifestyle choices, provided that these choices do not harm others. Instead of imposing a total ban, governments should focus on educating people about the dangers of smoking and providing support for those who wish to quit.

In conclusion, although smoking causes serious illnesses and places a heavy burden on healthcare systems, I do not believe that it should be made entirely illegal. A combination of strict regulations, public education, and smoking cessation programs would be a more practical and effective way to reduce smoking rates and protect public health.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt. Your position is clear from the introduction, where you state you 'partly agree' with the idea of a ban. You provide a balanced argument, acknowledging the health risks while offering a pragmatic counter-argument regarding the potential for black markets and the importance of individual choice. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of 'smoke-free public places' and 'smoking cessation programs'. The response is well-structured and maintains a consistent focus on the prompt throughout.

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, using effective cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'In addition', and 'Furthermore'. The use of referencing is precise, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints. The flow of the argument is natural, making the text very easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words; instead, they are integrated naturally into the structure of your sentences.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'preventable diseases', 'passive smoking', 'regulate their sale', and 'smoking cessation programs' show a strong command of topic-specific language. Your word choice is precise and contributes to the clarity of your argument. While the vocabulary is accurate and effective, it stays within a standard academic range. To reach the highest band, you could incorporate slightly more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations, but your current usage is more than sufficient for a high score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

Your grammar is highly accurate, with a wide range of complex structures used effectively. You successfully employ conditional structures ('provided that these choices do not harm others') and complex noun phrases. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of information. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over sentence structure is consistent throughout the essay, reflecting a high level of proficiency in English grammar.

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