Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-02
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 7.0)
Many people argue that the primary purpose of science should be to enhance daily life by fulfilling essential human needs. I partly agree with this view because scientific advances bring significant conveniences, although unregulated developments can cause substantial drawbacks.
On the one hand, science plays a crucial role in improving basic necessities such as healthcare and transportation. Medical facilities remain inadequate in many regions, and scientific research can deliver better treatments to save lives. In addition, modern transport systems require continuous enhancement to reduce travel time and facilitate trade. In the past, transporting goods was extremely difficult, but scientific innovations gradually resolved this issue. Today, faster transit systems are still needed to help commuters travel efficiently, proving that science must continue addressing everyday practical challenges.
On the other hand, scientific development can introduce serious disadvantages. Advanced technologies often produce expensive goods that low-income individuals cannot afford, making modern innovations inaccessible to ordinary people. Furthermore, industrial expansion frequently causes severe environmental issues. For instance, the rapid growth of tobacco processing and fossil-fuel factories has produced hazardous smoke, which damages the atmosphere and leads to respiratory illnesses among citizens. Additionally, when scientific research is directed toward developing lethal weapons, it directly threatens global safety rather than improving society.
In conclusion, although scientific progress is vital to provide better healthcare and transport facilities that enhance productivity, uncontrolled technological developments can create environmental harm and dangerous weapons. Therefore, while science should certainly aim to improve daily living standards, researchers must balance innovation with affordability, public health, and long-term societal safety.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, maintaining a clear position throughout. You successfully balance the argument by acknowledging the benefits of science while highlighting the potential drawbacks, such as environmental damage and the development of weaponry. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of healthcare, transportation, and the specific impact of industrial pollution. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position, ensuring the response is fully focused on the task requirements. To reach a higher band, you could further extend your analysis by exploring the nuance of 'most important aim' versus other potential aims of science, such as pure knowledge acquisition.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the benefits and drawbacks is handled smoothly using cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. Referencing is clear, and the use of linking words such as 'Furthermore', 'In addition', and 'Therefore' helps guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a distinct introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The flow is natural and the structure supports the development of your argument effectively.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'scientific advances', 'essential human needs', 'industrial expansion', and 'long-term societal safety' show a good command of topic-specific language. There is an awareness of style and collocation, and your word choices are generally accurate. While the vocabulary is effective, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common lexical items could elevate the response further. The current range is more than adequate for the task and allows for clear communication of your ideas without any noticeable errors in word choice.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as conditional-like constructions ('when scientific research is directed toward...') and relative clauses. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is strong. You successfully use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms to convey your points clearly. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. To aim for a higher band, you could experiment with more varied sentence beginnings and perhaps more advanced syntactic structures to demonstrate even greater flexibility.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.