Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-09-10

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 6.5)

Smoking is a habit that many youngsters get into and are unable to wean off despite knowing the health risks associated with it and therefore continue to smoke throughout life. I believe smoking should be banned and appropriate measures should be in place to facilitate individuals attempting to quit.

Smoking is introduced to many individuals, often during their teenage years, at a time when their ability to rationally judge and understand the ill effects of smoking is poor. The peer pressure to fit in often forces students to engage in smoking. The habit is associated with scientifically established evidence on damage to health.

Smokers are at a greater risk of developing oral cancer, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which can also be associated with problems such as heart failure. The aerobic capacity of these individuals falls dramatically in comparison to a non smoker of the same age group.

On the bright side, research has indicated that quitting has immediate positive effects on health and can reverse some of the damage caused by smoking. After approximately 10 years of quitting, the risk of cardiovascular disease can decline substantially. The financial burden due to hospitalization, medications and surgical procedures can be considerably high and is particularly difficult and stressful if not adequately covered by insurance. Therefore, it is tenable to argue that individuals should be prevented from taking up smoking in the first place.

I concede that smoking ought to be banned because the financial and health burden associated with it is significant. It not only affects the individual smoker but also their family members. Government aid should be allocated to help individuals access smoking cessation programs offered at different institutions and policies should ultimately ensure smoking is eradicated by banning the same.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have clearly addressed the prompt by taking a firm position in favor of banning smoking. Your arguments regarding health risks and the financial burden on society are relevant and well-supported. However, the essay could be improved by exploring the counter-argument more deeply. While you mention that quitting has benefits, you could have addressed the potential arguments against a total ban (such as personal liberty or economic impact on the tobacco industry) to provide a more balanced and nuanced discussion. Overall, your position is consistent throughout the essay, and the main ideas are logically developed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, such as the health impacts of smoking or the benefits of cessation. You use cohesive devices like 'On the bright side' and 'Therefore' to link ideas effectively. However, some transitions between sentences feel slightly mechanical. To reach a higher band, ensure that the flow between sentences is more seamless and that referencing (e.g., 'the same') is used more naturally, as 'banning the same' in the conclusion is slightly awkward.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, including terms like 'aerobic capacity,' 'cardiovascular disease,' and 'cessation programs.' This shows an ability to use topic-specific language accurately. There are a few minor issues with word choice, such as 'wean off' (which is usually used for babies or specific dependencies) and 'banning the same' (which is a clunky way to refer back to the noun). However, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey your ideas with precision and flexibility throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. For example, your use of subordinate clauses in the first paragraph is well-controlled. There are very few grammatical errors, and the punctuation is generally accurate. While the sentence structures are clear, you could incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical forms, such as conditional sentences or passive voice constructions, to demonstrate greater flexibility. The current level of accuracy is high, with no errors that impede the reader's understanding of your arguments.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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