Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Academic Practice Accelerator · 2026-10-20

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 5.0)

It is true that smoking can considered as serious illnesses and should be prevent from society. I strongly agree with this statement that making smoking illegal can discourage people from suffering dangerous illnesses.

There are several reasons why many individuals argued that smoking should be illegal. One possible reason is that cause unhealthy habits. Making it unavailable can prevent people from taking it. Therefore, people may lead healthy life without suffering any diseases. For example, government can take any strict regulation which can stop consuming smoking.

Another reason is that excessive smoking can lead serious illnesses such as cancer, heart diseases. Making illegal can

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response4.0
Coherence and Cohesion5.0
Lexical Resource5.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.0

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You state a clear position in the opening: “I strongly agree,” and both body paragraphs give relevant reasons, including preventing unhealthy habits and reducing the risk of serious illness. However, the response addresses the task only partially: the reasons are asserted rather than explained, and the example about government regulation is vague. The second reason is left unfinished at “Making illegal can,” so it does not develop the argument or show what consequences prohibition might have. The response also falls substantially short of the required minimum length, leaving little opportunity to explain your position or include relevant examples. To strengthen this response, complete the argument, explain how prohibition could reduce smoking, and consider a counterpoint such as enforcement or personal freedom before reaffirming your view.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is some basic organisation: an introductory position is followed by two paragraphs that each introduce a reason. Linking expressions such as “Therefore” and “For example” show an attempt to connect ideas. However, progression is limited because the points are not explained or linked into a developed argument, and the second body paragraph ends abruptly. The repeated pattern of “One possible reason” and “Another reason” also makes the organisation feel formulaic. Use each paragraph to present one complete point, explain its effect, and support it with a specific example. Then connect the paragraphs more clearly, and ensure the conclusion follows from the reasons rather than leaving the discussion unfinished.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “serious illnesses,” “unhealthy habits,” “strict regulation,” and “cancer.” This gives the reader a basic understanding of your subject. However, the range is limited and several word choices or combinations are unnatural, such as “suffering dangerous illnesses,” “taking it,” and “consuming smoking.” These expressions can make the intended meaning less clear. Aim to use precise collocations for the topic—for example, “develop smoking-related diseases,” “take up smoking,” and “smoke tobacco.” You could also vary repeated general terms such as “people” and “illnesses” with more specific language, while ensuring that new vocabulary is used accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response includes simple statements and attempts a few longer structures, such as “There are several reasons why…” and “Making it unavailable can prevent people from…”. However, the range remains limited, and errors occur frequently enough to affect clarity. For example, “smoking can considered” is missing an auxiliary verb, “should be prevent” has an incorrect verb form, and “One possible reason is that cause unhealthy habits” lacks a clear subject. The unfinished sentence “Making illegal can” also prevents the idea from being expressed. Practise accurate subject–verb patterns and verb forms, including “smoking can be considered,” “should be prevented,” and “one reason is that smoking causes…”. Build longer sentences only after checking that each clause is complete.

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