Band 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Drug Abuse Essay: Clarity and Development Issues
Sample Answer with Feedback

πŸ“… Published Mar 2026⏱️ 40 minutes recommendedπŸ“ 276 words Β· Band 5
This Band 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 essay discusses the problem of drug abuse by highlighting factors like advertising and peer pressure. While it meets the word count, the response is hindered by clarity and limited development of ideas. Addressing these issues can help boost your overall band score.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Question

Problem/ Solution Β· Drugs Β· 40 min



Drug abuse has become a growing concern in many societies. What are the factors that contribute to the increasing problem of drug abuse in our society, and how can we address them?

Write at least 250 words.





5Band

Overall Band Score

276 words Β· Problem/ Solution Β· AI Evaluated

5.5
Task Response
5
Grammar
5
Vocabulary
5
Coherence

Score Breakdown

IELTS Writing Band Scores (1–9)

Overall Band Score
5
Task Response
5.5
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
5
Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)
5
Coherence & Cohesion
5

Summary: The essay meets the minimum word count of 276 words (required: 250). It partially addresses the prompt by discussing factors like advertisements, peer pressure, and availability, and suggesting solutions such as taxes and policies. However, the response lacks depth and development, with a narrow focus on teenagers and specific drugs. Issues in coherence, vocabulary, and grammar reduce clarity and impact.

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Student Answer
Real submission β€’ 276 words β€’ Annotated
276 wordsβ€’Band 5β€’WritingPart2
● Spelling● Grammar● Vocabulary

In recent years, the concern of drug abuse has become widely discussed. It has become a growing problem in many socities. This essay will focus on the factors that resulted for the increasing concern of drug abuse in our society and how can we address them.
In my opinion, the important factor that contributes to the increasing problems for drug abuse in our society can be advertisemnts. Social media advertise the wrong content in seek of attention and views. This attraction is faced mosty by teenagers, their adrenaline rush encourages them to try various drugs such as alcohol, weed, vape and cigarettes. In addition, the feer of peer pressure force them to consume it, wheather they don't like the taste of it. Other reason for this is that they are available so easily and prices are so cheap. Drug dealers are selling them so widely that on every other shop cigrattes are available, this gets easy for teenagers to buy it.
We can address these issues with increasing the tax on drugs and with the help of some government policies, such as every drug dealer should have the liciense with proper government stamps on it. Before selling the drugs, it should be important for drug dealers to check the age of the customer by verifying his election card or aadhar card. Moreover, government should arrange the campaigns that shows the side-effects of consuming alcohol.
In conclusion, although drinking and smoking on special occassion helps the person to enjoy the moment, but it should not cross its limit. One should be able to know their body and stop it when it start causing damage to our health.

AI Feedback Report Details

Spelling Β· Grammar Β· Vocabulary Β· Criteria Analysis

Spelling Mistakes

8 errors
Misspelled WordCorrected Word
socitiessocieties
advertisemntsadvertisements
mostymostly
feerfear
wheatherwhether
cigrattescigarettes
licienselicense
occassionoccasion

Grammatical Mistakes

18 errors
MistakeCorrectionExplanation
resulted forresulted inPreposition error; 'resulted' should be followed by 'in'
how can we address themhow we can address themIncorrect word order; in indirect questions, use subject-verb order
problems for drug abuseproblems of drug abusePreposition misuse; 'of' is more appropriate
in seek ofseekingIncorrect phrase; 'in seek of' is not standard English
faced mosty by teenagers, theirfaced mostly by teenagers. TheirRun-on sentence; needs proper punctuation
force themforces themSubject-verb agreement; 'fear' is singular, so verb should be 'forces'
wheather they don't likeeven if they don't likeIncorrect conjunction use; 'even if' is more appropriate
Other reasonAnother reasonArticle misuse; 'another' is used for singular
on every other shopin every other shopPreposition error; 'in' is used for locations like shops
this gets easythis makes it easyIncorrect construction; 'makes it easy' is standard
with increasing the taxby increasing the taxPreposition error; 'by' is used for methods
such as every drug dealer should havesuch as requiring every drug dealer to haveClause structure; after 'such as', use a noun phrase or gerund
by verifying his election cardby verifying their voter ID cardPronoun agreement; use 'their' for gender neutrality
campaigns that showscampaigns that showSubject-verb agreement; 'campaigns' is plural, so verb should be 'show'
although drinking and smoking on special occassion helps the person to enjoy the moment, butAlthough drinking and smoking on special occasions help a person enjoy the moment,Redundant conjunction; use either 'although' or 'but', not both
know their bodyknow one's bodyPronoun agreement; 'one' should be followed by 'one's'
when it start causingwhen it starts causingSubject-verb agreement; 'it' is singular, so verb should be 'starts'
to our healthto their healthPronoun consistency; 'our' is inconsistent with earlier references

Vocabulary Improvements

15 suggestions
Original Word/PhraseImproved Word/PhraseExplanation
concern of drug abuseproblem of drug abuseVague; 'problem' is more direct in this context
in seek ofseekingIncorrect collocation; 'seeking' is standard
adrenaline rushthrill-seeking behaviorInformal term; use more academic language
weed, vape and cigarettesmarijuana, vaping products, and cigarettesInformal or slang terms; use formal terminology
available so easilyreadily accessibleInformal phrasing; 'readily accessible' is more formal
prices are so cheapprices are low'Cheap' has negative connotations; 'low' is neutral
on every other shopin many shopsInformal; 'in many shops' is clearer
this gets easythis makes it easyInformal construction; 'makes it easy' is better
with the help of some government policiesthrough government policiesWordy; more concise alternative
election cardvoter ID cardVague; 'voter ID card' is specific
arrange the campaignsorganize campaignsLess formal; 'organize' is better for official actions
shows the side-effectshighlights the side effectsInformal; 'highlights' is more academic
helps the person to enjoyhelps a person enjoyRedundant 'to'; omitting 'to' is more concise
cross its limitexceed limitsInformal phrase; 'exceed limits' is more precise
know their bodyunderstand their bodyVague; 'understand' is more specific

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Detailed Criteria Feedback

AI-powered analysis for each scoring criterion

Task Response5.5
Evaluation
The essay responds to the prompt but with limited development. Factors and solutions are mentioned but are simplistic and not fully explored. The conclusion introduces an irrelevant point about special occasions, which detracts from the societal focus.
Examples
The essay states: 'the important factor that contributes to the increasing problems for drug abuse in our society can be advertisemnts.' and 'although drinking and smoking on special occassion helps the person to enjoy the moment, but it should not cross its limit.'
How to Improve
Expand on a wider range of factors (e.g., socioeconomic conditions, mental health, education) and solutions (e.g., rehabilitation programs, community support). Ensure all ideas are directly relevant and developed with specific examples or evidence.
Coherence & Cohesion5
Evaluation
The essay has a basic structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. However, cohesion is weak due to abrupt transitions and underuse of linking words. Paragraphing is present but ideas within paragraphs are not always logically connected.
Examples
The first body paragraph jumps from advertisements to peer pressure without clear transition: 'In addition, the feer of peer pressure force them to consume it...'
How to Improve
Use cohesive devices (e.g., 'furthermore', 'however', 'for instance') to link ideas. Organize paragraphs around one main idea each, such as dedicating one paragraph to factors and another to solutions, with topic sentences to guide the reader.
Lexical Resource5
Evaluation
Vocabulary is limited and repetitive, with several spelling and word choice errors that occasionally hinder meaning. The lexical range is basic and lacks sophistication for an academic context.
Examples
Misspellings: 'socities' (societies), 'advertisemnts' (advertisements), 'feer' (fear), 'wheather' (whether), 'occassion' (occasion). Awkward phrasing: 'in seek of attention' (should be 'seeking attention' or 'for attention').
How to Improve
Use a wider range of topic-specific vocabulary (e.g., 'prevalence', 'addiction', 'preventive measures', 'enforcement'). Practice spelling and consult dictionaries to ensure accurate word forms. Avoid repetition by using synonyms.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy5
Evaluation
Grammatical errors are frequent throughout the essay, affecting clarity. Sentence structures are mostly simple, with issues in subject-verb agreement, tense, and sentence construction. Complex sentences are attempted but often incorrect.
Examples
Errors include: 'how can we address them' (should be 'how we can address them'), 'the feer of peer pressure force them' (should be 'the fear of peer pressure forces them'), 'when it start causing damage' (should be 'when it starts causing damage').
How to Improve
Review basic grammar rules, particularly subject-verb agreement, article usage, and tense consistency. Practice writing complex sentences with clauses, and proofread to correct errors. Consider using grammar check tools for feedback.
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Tip: Review the Band 9 model answer to see how a high-scoring essay structures arguments, uses advanced vocabulary, and maintains coherence throughout.

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