Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-29

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 7.5)

I strongly agree that one of the most important aims of science should be to improve people’s lives. Scientific research has played a major role in improving health, increasing life expectancy, and making everyday life more convenient. However, I also believe that science should pursue knowledge and understanding, even when its practical benefits are not immediately clear.

Firstly, scientific discoveries have significantly improved human health and saved millions of lives. Advances in medicine have led to vaccines, antibiotics, safer surgical procedures, and treatments for serious diseases. For example, the development of vaccines has helped control diseases such as polio and measles. Similarly, modern medical technology allows doctors to diagnose illnesses earlier and treat patients more effectively. These developments demonstrate how science can directly contribute to human well-being.

Secondly, science has made everyday life easier and more efficient. Developments in electricity, telecommunications, transportation, and information technology have transformed the way people work, study, and communicate. For instance, the internet allows students to access educational resources from almost anywhere, while modern agricultural technology can help farmers produce more food using fewer resources. Scientific research can therefore benefit not only individuals but also society as a whole.

Nevertheless, improving people’s lives should not be considered the only purpose of science. Some scientific research is mainly concerned with understanding the natural world. Research into astronomy, for example, may not provide an immediate practical benefit, but it helps humanity understand the universe and our place within it. In addition, many useful inventions have resulted from discoveries that initially appeared to have little practical value. Therefore, limiting science only to research with immediate benefits could prevent important discoveries in the future.

In conclusion, I agree to a great extent that improving people’s lives should be a major aim of science because scientific progress has produced enormous benefits in areas such as medicine, communication, and agriculture. However, science should also be free to pursue knowledge for its own sake, since seemingly theoretical research can eventually lead to important practical advances.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by presenting a clear position throughout and balancing the argument effectively. The writer agrees that improving people's lives should be a primary aim of science, supported by well-developed examples such as vaccines, telecommunications, and agricultural technology. Furthermore, the counter-argument is thoughtfully integrated, noting that the pursuit of fundamental knowledge, like astronomy, is also vital for long-term progress. Ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples from general knowledge, meeting the criteria for a high band. There are no omissions, and the development is logical and thorough.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are coherently structured, with each paragraph serving a distinct purpose in developing the overall argument. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'Nevertheless', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the text without feeling mechanical. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each main point housed in its own well-defined paragraph. Referencing and substitution are managed smoothly throughout the essay, ensuring seamless transitions between ideas.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The student displays a wide, fluent, and flexible lexical resource suitable for an academic essay. Vocabulary items such as 'life expectancy', 'telecommunications', 'agricultural technology', and 'theoretical research' demonstrate a strong command of topic-specific language. Less common lexical items are used naturally and with good awareness of collocation, such as 'directly contribute to human well-being' and 'pursue knowledge for its own sake'. There are only occasional minor inaccuracies, but these do not impede communication in any way, maintaining a high standard of language use.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The essay exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, successfully blending simple and complex sentences. The writer employs conditional concepts, relative clauses, and modal structures accurately, as seen in sentences like 'Research into astronomy, for example, may not provide an immediate practical benefit, but it helps humanity understand the universe...'. The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled with a high degree of control. Minor errors are virtually absent, demonstrating a level of grammatical accuracy that aligns comfortably with an upper-intermediate to advanced band.

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