Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-26

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 7.5)

While some maintain that historical studies form an essential core of school curricula, others contend that modern disciplines such as science and technology carry significantly greater relevance today. In my opinion, although technical subjects provide practical tools for immediate economic growth; learning history remains an indispensable foundation for fostering critical thinking and cultural identity.

​To begin with, advocates of prioritizing modern technical education argue that fields like computer science, engineering, and biotechnology drive contemporary innovation and career opportunities. In an increasingly digital world, proficiency in technological tools directly enhances employment prospects and powers national economic growth; without optimal technical competencies, young individuals struggle to secure lucrative roles in competitive global industries. For instance, countries heavily investing in STEM education frequently observe rapid technological advancements and strong job markets. Consequently, many view scientific training as a more vital investment for preparing students for the modern workforce than analyzing past events.

​Conversely, historical education serves a profound societal purpose that technical instruction cannot replicate. Studying past events grants students vital critical analytical skills, enabling them to comprehend complex global relationships and avoid repeating historical missteps. Furthermore, a shared understanding of national and international heritage fosters collective empathy, cultural literacy, and civic awareness; these qualities are fundamental for maintaining cohesive, democratic societies. A case in point is political education, where analyzing past governance models equips future leaders with the wisdom to navigate contemporary social challenges. Therefore, historical knowledge forms a structural pillar for mature citizenship.

​In conclusion, while proficiency in scientific and technological fields undeniably fuels economic progress, I firmly believe that history remains an irreplaceable component of a well-rounded education. Had it not been for the deep contextual awareness provided by historical studies; future generations would lack the critical perspective needed to ethically apply scientific progress for the betterment of society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—the importance of science and technology versus the enduring value of history—while clearly stating the writer's own opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The ideas are well developed and extended throughout the body paragraphs. For instance, the first body paragraph clearly explains how technological skills drive economic growth, while the second body paragraph thoughtfully outlines how history fosters critical thinking, civic awareness, and cultural empathy. The position is maintained consistently and supported with relevant examples, such as reference to STEM investments and political education models. There are no notable omissions or deviations from the prompt, aligning comfortably with a strong performance for this criterion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with the introductory overview, moving through the arguments for technology and history respectively, and culminating in a balanced conclusion. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and appropriately, with markers such as 'To begin with', 'Conversely', and 'Therefore' guiding the reader smoothly between ideas. Paragraphing is managed effectively, and referencing is clear throughout the text, ensuring that logical relationships between arguments are always apparent without feeling mechanical or overly repetitive.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The writer displays a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic discussion. Less common items such as 'indispensable foundation', 'contemporary innovation', 'lucrative roles', and 'collective empathy' are integrated naturally and with good control of collocation and style. Word choice is generally precise, though there are occasional minor slips, such as the semicolon usage in the final sentence ('historical studies; future generations'), which represents a slight punctuation misuse rather than a severe lexical deficiency. Overall, the vocabulary effectively conveys sophisticated concepts and facilitates precise communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The essay features a wide range of complex grammatical structures executed with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, showcasing sophisticated syntactic control through conditional constructions ('Had it not been for...'), participial phrases, and varied subordinate clauses. Minor errors are extremely rare; the most noticeable issue is a punctuation slip in the final paragraph where a semicolon is used instead of a comma before 'future generations'. Otherwise, punctuation, verb agreements, and tense consistency are handled with excellent precision, fully matching the descriptors for a high band score.

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