IELTS Writing Task 2: Smoking In Public — Band 8.0 Sample with Full Breakdown
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Prompt
Some people argue that smoking in public places should be banned, while others believe that individuals should have the freedom to smoke wherever they wish. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Band 8.0 Sample Answer
The debate surrounding smoking in public places has been contentious for years, with proponents of bans citing health concerns and opponents advocating for personal freedom. This essay will explore both perspectives before presenting a personal stance.
On one hand, those in favor of smoking bans argue that secondhand smoke poses significant health risks. According to the World Health Organization, exposure to secondhand smoke can lead to various respiratory diseases and even cancer. Additionally, banning smoking in public places can help reduce litter and fire hazards caused by discarded cigarettes. For instance, many cities have reported cleaner streets and fewer fires since implementing such bans.
Conversely, opponents of these bans contend that they infringe upon individual liberties. They argue that adults should have the right to make their own choices regarding their health and lifestyle. Furthermore, some believe that smoking bans can have negative economic impacts, particularly on businesses that rely on smokers, such as tobacco shops and certain bars. For example, some establishments have reported a decline in revenue following the implementation of smoking bans.
In my opinion, the benefits of banning smoking in public places outweigh the drawbacks. While it is true that personal freedom is important, the health risks associated with secondhand smoke are too severe to ignore. Moreover, the economic impacts can be mitigated through targeted support for affected businesses. Therefore, I believe that governments should prioritize public health and implement comprehensive smoking bans.
Scoring Breakdown
Task Response (TR): 8.0 - The response presents a clear position throughout and extends and supports ideas, though there may be occasional considerations of less obvious points.
Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - The response uses a mix of cohesive devices effectively, though there may be some under- or over-use of certain devices. The organization is clear with a logical progression of ideas.
Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - The response uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision, though there may be some less precise or less sophisticated vocabulary. There are only occasional errors in word choice and collocation.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, with only occasional errors in complex structures. The majority of sentences are error-free and varied in structure.
Vocabulary Highlights
- Contentious (adj.) - Causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial.
- Example: The debate surrounding smoking in public places has been contentious for years.
- Proponents (n.) - A person who advocates for a particular cause or proposal.
- Example: Proponents of bans cite health concerns.
- Respiratory (adj.) - Relating to the organs of breathing.
- Example: Secondhand smoke can lead to various respiratory diseases.
- Infringe (v.) - Act so as to limit or restrict.
- Example: They argue that bans infringe upon individual liberties.
- Mitigate (v.) - Make less severe, serious, or painful.
- Example: The economic impacts can be mitigated through targeted support.
- Comprehensive (adj.) - Including or dealing with all or nearly all aspects of something.
- Example: Governments should implement comprehensive smoking bans.
- Discarded (adj.) - Thrown away or rejected as useless or unwanted.
- Example: Litter and fire hazards caused by discarded cigarettes.
- Establishments (n.) - A place of business or a public institution.
- Example: Some establishments have reported a decline in revenue.
- Targeted (adj.) - Aimed at or directed toward a particular goal or objective.
- Example: Targeted support for affected businesses.
- Prioritize (v.) - Give something or someone precedence over others.
- Example: Governments should prioritize public health.
- Advocating (v.) - Publicly recommend or support.
- Example: Opponents advocating for personal freedom.
- Contend (v.) - Maintain or assert a position in an argument or dispute.
- Example: Opponents contend that bans infringe upon individual liberties.
- Implement (v.) - Put a decision, plan, or agreement into effect.
- Example: Governments should implement comprehensive smoking bans.
- Flexibility (n.) - The quality of bending easily without breaking.
- Example: The response uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility.
- Precision (n.) - The quality of being exact and accurate.
- Example: The response uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some precision.
- Collocation (n.) - The habitual juxtaposition of a particular word with another word or words with a frequency greater than chance would predict.
- Example: There may be some less precise or less sophisticated vocabulary and collocation.
- Complex (adj.) - Composed of many interconnected parts; compound.
- Example: The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms.
- Structures (n.) - The arrangement of and relations between the parts or elements of something complex.
- Example: The majority of sentences are error-free and varied in structure.
- Considerations (n.) - The process of judging something to be worth doing or the advantages and disadvantages of doing something.
- Example: There may be occasional considerations of less obvious points.
- Controversial (adj.) - Giving rise or likely to give rise to controversy or public disagreement.
- Example: The debate surrounding smoking in public places has been controversial for years.
Common Mistakes
- Overgeneralizing: Students often make sweeping statements without providing specific examples or data to support their claims.
- Lack of Clarity: Some responses may present ideas in a confusing or unclear manner, making it difficult for the examiner to follow the argument.
- Inadequate Vocabulary: Using repetitive or basic vocabulary can limit the range and precision of the response, affecting the Lexical Resource score.
- Grammatical Errors: Complex sentence structures may contain errors, which can negatively impact the Grammatical Range and Accuracy score.
- Poor Organization: A lack of clear progression or logical flow can make the response difficult to follow, affecting the Coherence and Cohesion score.
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