Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-08-19

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 9.0)

It is often argued that smoking should be prohibited due to its detrimental health effects. While I concede that tobacco consumption poses a severe threat to public health, I completely disagree that making it illegal is a viable or judicious solution.

Admittedly, the deleterious consequences of smoking are irrefutable. Cigarettes contain carcinogenic substances such as nicotine and tar, which are inextricably linked to life-threatening conditions like lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic respiratory illnesses. Furthermore, passive smoking imperils the health of non-smokers, particularly children and the elderly, who involuntarily inhale second-hand smoke. From a socio-economic perspective, the burden on healthcare systems is colossal, as governments must allocate substantial resources to treat smoking-related ailments.

However, criminalizing smoking would be an impractical and counterproductive measure. Firstly, proscription would inevitably precipitate the proliferation of a black market, analogous to the illicit drug trade, thereby engendering organized crime and depriving the state of substantial tax revenue. Secondly, such a draconian law would be perceived as an infringement on personal liberty and individual autonomy. In a democratic society, adults should retain the prerogative to make informed choices about their own lifestyle, even if those choices are injurious.

A more pragmatic approach would be stringent regulation rather than outright prohibition. Governments should enforce comprehensive awareness campaigns, escalate tobacco taxation, and impose a blanket ban on smoking in public spaces. This strategy of deterrence and education has proven efficacious in many developed nations.

In conclusion, although smoking is undeniably pernicious, outlawing it entirely is not the panacea. Regulation and education, not criminalization, represent the most sagacious path forward.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it consistently throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, providing a balanced view by acknowledging the health risks of smoking before presenting a logical, well-reasoned argument against prohibition. The use of counter-arguments (black market, personal liberty) and the proposal of a pragmatic alternative (regulation) demonstrate a high level of task response. The ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples and logical reasoning, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The essay is exceptionally well-structured. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, and the progression of ideas is logical and easy to follow. You have used a wide range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Admittedly', 'Furthermore', 'Firstly', and 'In conclusion', which help to guide the reader through your argument without feeling mechanical. The paragraphing is logical, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs exploring different facets of the argument, a paragraph for the alternative solution, and a summary conclusion. The flow between sentences and paragraphs is seamless.

Lexical Resource — Band 9.0

You demonstrate a sophisticated and precise command of vocabulary. The use of academic and topic-specific lexis such as 'deleterious', 'carcinogenic', 'inextricably linked', 'proscription', 'draconian', and 'panacea' is highly impressive and used with natural control. The collocations are accurate and contribute to a formal, academic tone appropriate for the task. There are no noticeable errors in word choice, and the range of vocabulary is wide enough to express complex ideas with nuance and precision. This is an excellent display of lexical control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The grammatical range is excellent, featuring a variety of complex sentence structures, including conditional clauses, passive voice, and subordinate clauses. The accuracy is very high, with virtually no errors in punctuation or syntax. Your control over tense and agreement is consistent, and the sophisticated sentence construction enhances the clarity and impact of your arguments. The writing is error-free, demonstrating full flexibility and control over English grammar, which is characteristic of the highest band level.

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