Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-17

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

The most important aim of science should be to improve people’s lives. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons for your answers and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

 

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Science is a big deal and it covers a lot of different areas. From thinking about how the universe works to actually building things.. The main reason people do science is to make life better for humans. I think that is what science should be about because when scientists solve problems that is when they make the biggest difference.

First of all science is really important for keeping people healthy and safe. Doctors and scientists have found ways to make medicines, like antibiotics and vaccines that stop people from getting sick. They have also made machines that can help figure out what is wrong with someone. All of these things have helped people live longer and not die from diseases. If scientists were not focused on helping people they might be working on things that do not help anyone like making weapons.

Science also helps with problems that affect everyone. New ways of growing food have helped feed a lot of people and stopped them from being hungry. Scientists are also working on ways to stop hurting the planet, which's important for people who will be alive in the future. When scientists work on solving problems they can make a big difference in peoples lives, especially for people who are struggling.

It is also important to remember that just thinking about science and learning new things even if it does not help people right away is still valuable. Learning about the universe and how things work can lead to discoveries that might help people a long time from now.

In the end science is important. It should always be, about helping people. When scientists focus on making peoples lives that is when they can make a real difference. Science should be used to help humans not hurt them.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses the prompt and maintains a clear position throughout. You have provided relevant arguments, such as the role of science in healthcare and food security, which support your stance. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat simplistic. To reach a higher band, you should aim to provide more nuanced analysis or specific, well-explained examples rather than listing general benefits. The final paragraph is slightly repetitive, and the discussion on 'pure' science is a good addition but could be better integrated into the overall argument to show a more sophisticated understanding of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, each with a clear central theme. You use basic cohesive devices like 'First of all' and 'In the end' to guide the reader. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes mechanical, and the use of linking words is limited. Some transitions feel abrupt, such as the shift between the second and third paragraphs. To improve, try using a wider variety of cohesive devices and ensure that referencing (e.g., 'these things', 'that') is always precise to maintain a smoother progression of ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is generally appropriate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'big deal', 'make life better', and 'make a big difference' are used frequently, which limits the range of your expression. While your meaning is always clear, there is a lack of less common or academic vocabulary that would demonstrate a higher level of proficiency. To improve, focus on incorporating more precise terminology related to scientific advancement and societal impact, and avoid informal phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, though the complexity is limited. There are several punctuation errors, such as the unnecessary comma in 'It should always be, about helping people' and the fragment 'From thinking about how the universe works to actually building things..'. Additionally, there are minor grammatical slips like 'peoples lives' (missing apostrophe) and 'which's' (incorrect contraction). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focus on proofreading for basic punctuation and subject-verb agreement.

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