Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-26

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)

Science plays a crucial role in modern society, and some people believe that its primary purpose should be to improve people’s lives. I largely agree with this view because scientific developments can improve healthcare, living standards, and the way people solve everyday problems.

One major reason why science should focus on improving people’s lives is its contribution to healthcare. Scientific research has led to the development of vaccines, medicines, medical equipment and improved treatments for many diseases. As a result, people can live longer and receive more effective treatment when they become ill. For example, advances in medical technology have made it possible for doctors to detect diseases earlier and perform complex operations more safely. Therefore, improving human health is an important way in which science directly benefits society.

Another important area is the improvement of everyday life. Scientific discoveries have contributed to developments in transportation, communication, agriculture and household technology. For instance, the development of smartphones and the internet has made it much easier for people to communicate, study and access information. Similarly, advances in agricultural science can help farmers produce more food using fewer resources. These developments demonstrate that scientific progress can make people's lives more convenient and productive.

However, I do not believe that every scientific study needs to have an immediate practical purpose. Some research is conducted simply to increase human knowledge and understand the world. For example, research into space, physics and the natural environment may not provide an immediate benefit to ordinary people, but it can lead to important discoveries in the future. Therefore, scientific research should not be restricted only to projects that have an obvious short-term benefit.

In conclusion, I largely agree that improving people's lives should be one of the most important aims of science, particularly through advances in healthcare and everyday technology. Nevertheless, basic research should also be encouraged because discoveries that appear unnecessary today may provide valuable benefits in the future.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The student covers all parts of the task well, presenting a clear position throughout the essay. The introduction clearly states a partial agreement with the prompt, which is then well-supported by body paragraphs focusing on healthcare and everyday technology. Furthermore, the writer demonstrates strong critical thinking by addressing the counter-argument that basic research without immediate practical applications is also valuable. Ideas are well-developed with relevant examples, such as smartphones, the internet, and medical technology advancements. The response successfully meets all requirements of the task prompt, aligning closely with the Band 7 or 8 descriptors for task achievement due to the thorough and extended support of ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay displays clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with healthcare and moving to everyday life improvements, followed by a counter-argument and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'One major reason', 'For instance', 'However', and 'In conclusion' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and effectively. While some cohesive relationships could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band, the overall structure is coherent, logical, and easy to follow, making this a solid performance fitting the Band 7 descriptors.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The student exhibits an adequate to sufficient range of vocabulary for the task. Words and phrases like 'crucial role', 'primary purpose', 'scientific research', 'complex operations', and 'short-term benefit' demonstrate good control over topic-specific terminology. There are also occasional attempts at less common vocabulary such as 'convenient and productive' and 'basic research'. Word choice and collocations are generally natural, and spelling is accurate throughout the text. While the vocabulary is not overly adventurous or sophisticated enough for a Band 8, it meets the criteria for Band 7 by offering enough flexibility, precision, and appropriate style.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The writer demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating various dependent clauses, conditional-like statements, and participial phrases successfully. Sentences like 'As a result, people can live longer and receive more effective treatment when they become ill' show a strong command of grammar and punctuation. The majority of sentences are error-free, and any minor slips do not impede communication in any way. Punctuation is accurate, and subject-verb agreement is maintained consistently throughout the text. This reflects the characteristics of a strong Band 7 performance for grammatical range and accuracy.

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

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