Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-07-27
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
Some people say History is one of the most important school subjects. Other people think that in today’s world subjects like Science and technology are more important than History.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant example form your own knowledge or experience.
Student answer (Band 8.0)
It is often argued that history is the most valuable subject taught in schools, whereas others believe that science and technology are more important in today's world. This essay will discuss both perspectives before explaining why I believe science and technology should receive greater emphasis, although history remains an essential subject.
On the one hand, history plays a vital role in helping students understand the past and learn from previous generations. By studying historical events, young people gain knowledge about their country's culture, traditions, and identity. In addition, history teaches valuable lessons about the consequences of war, political conflicts, and social injustice. As a result, students are more likely to appreciate peace, democracy, and equality. Furthermore, learning about influential leaders and important events can inspire students to become responsible and informed citizens.
On the other hand, science and technology are becoming increasingly important because they directly influence modern life. Scientific knowledge helps students understand the natural world, while technological skills prepare them for future careers in industries such as healthcare, engineering, and information technology. Moreover, technological innovation has improved communication, transportation, and medical treatment, making people's lives easier and healthier. Therefore, schools should equip students with the practical knowledge and problem-solving skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
In my opinion, although history provides important moral and cultural lessons, science and technology deserve greater attention because they contribute more directly to economic growth and individual career opportunities. Nevertheless, history should remain part of the school curriculum, as understanding the past enables people to make wiser decisions for the future.
In conclusion, history helps students develop cultural awareness and learn valuable life lessons, whereas science and technology provide practical skills that are essential in the modern world. I believe that science and technology are more important today, but history should continue to be taught to create well-rounded and responsible citizens.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly discussed both perspectives regarding the importance of history versus science and technology, and you have maintained a consistent, clear position throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with logical arguments provided for each viewpoint. For example, the paragraph on history effectively links the subject to cultural identity and moral lessons, while the paragraph on science and technology provides concrete examples like healthcare and engineering to support the argument for its practical importance. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position, ensuring the task requirements are met with a high level of clarity and focus.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. You have used a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand', 'In addition', 'Furthermore', and 'Nevertheless', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, a personal opinion paragraph, and a conclusion. The referencing is clear throughout, and the flow of information is natural, making the essay very easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic essay. You use terms like 'influential leaders', 'technological innovation', and 'well-rounded' effectively. The vocabulary is precise and contributes to the clarity of your arguments. While the range is sufficient and accurate, it could be pushed further toward a more sophisticated level to reach the highest bands by incorporating more nuanced collocations or idiomatic academic phrasing. However, there are no significant errors in word choice, and the language used is consistently natural and fits the context of the prompt well.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('although history remains an essential subject') and conditional-like logic ('if... then' implied structures). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no major errors that impede communication. To reach a higher band, you could experiment with a wider variety of advanced grammatical structures, such as inversion or more complex passive constructions, to demonstrate even greater flexibility, but your current control is already very solid and reliable.
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