Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-09-04

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, not only for smokers but also for people exposed to second-hand smoke. Although I strongly agree that smoking should be restricted, I do not believe that making it completely illegal is the most effective solution.

On the one hand, there are strong reasons to impose strict controls on smoking. Cigarettes contain harmful substances that can lead to diseases such as lung cancer, heart disease and respiratory disorders. Furthermore, passive smoking can also affect non-smokers, particularly children and elderly people. For this reason, governments have a responsibility to protect public health. Banning smoking in public places, workplaces and restaurants is therefore a reasonable measure. In addition, increasing taxes on tobacco products and restricting their advertising can discourage people, especially young adults, from starting the habit.

On the other hand, making smoking entirely illegal could create several problems. Many smokers are addicted to nicotine, and simply banning cigarettes may not be enough to help them quit. Instead, governments should provide accessible smoking-cessation programmes, counselling and medical support. A complete ban could also encourage an illegal market in tobacco products, making them available through unregulated sources. Consequently, a combination of education, taxation and strict restrictions may be more practical than an outright prohibition.

In conclusion, I agree that smoking should be controlled very strictly because of its serious effects on health. However, I do not support making it completely illegal. A balanced approach involving public restrictions, higher taxes and effective support for smokers who want to quit would be more realistic and beneficial for society.

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, arguing for strict control rather than an outright ban, and maintain this stance consistently throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with the first body paragraph focusing on the health justifications for regulation and the second paragraph providing a logical counter-argument regarding the practical limitations of a total ban. The arguments are supported by relevant examples, such as the mention of passive smoking and the risk of an illegal market. The conclusion effectively synthesises your position, ensuring the task requirements are met with a high level of clarity and focus.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the arguments for control and the arguments against a total ban is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Furthermore', 'For this reason', 'In addition', and 'Consequently', which help guide the reader through your reasoning. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct stages of your argument. The flow is natural, and the relationship between sentences is always clear, meeting the criteria for a high band score in this area.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task. Phrases such as 'widely recognised', 'respiratory disorders', 'smoking-cessation programmes', and 'outright prohibition' show a level of precision and sophistication. The word choice is generally accurate and fits the context well. While the vocabulary is effective and natural, it could be slightly more ambitious to reach the highest band, perhaps by incorporating more nuanced collocations or idiomatic academic phrasing. However, the current range is sufficient to convey your ideas clearly and with a professional tone.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional and concessive clauses (e.g., 'Although I strongly agree...', 'If...'), with high accuracy. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your writing. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The control over tense and modal verbs is consistent throughout, reflecting a strong command of English grammar suitable for this level.

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