Some people believe that scientists have the greatest influence on the world. Other people, however, think that the influence of politicians is greater. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Sample Response
In today’s interconnected world, influence is key in shaping and reshaping the world. Many people consider politicians as those who have much sway over the general direction of society. However, some peopleBut there are those who think scientists are the true driving force.
As the leaders of their respective nations, politicians influence the world by creating laws to govern their people. Such laws affect how citizens acthow their people act, how they live, and possibly even how they think. Furthermore, politicians also influence the nations around them as their actions may support or weaken other countrieshelp countries or pull them down. That is why many pay attention to the rhetoric and actions of powerful leaders since these affect the policies of the world.
However, others believe scientists are more influential. This is primarily because the world is what it is because of what scientists have already created, seen for example in the way that people can circle the globe in less than a day and contact loved ones instantly because of high-tech devices. Another reason is that much of what the world will become depends upon the ongoing work of scientists. Issues such as climate changeIssues like climate change, resource sustainability, and vaccines for pandemics can only be resolved by these scientists. So what they are doing now and what they will continue to do in the future will greatly affect the world.
Of the two groupsBetween the two, I believe that politicians have more influence. Although I acknowledge that scientific contributions have truly changed our way of life, politicians are continue to affect people’s daily lives directlystill directly affecting people daily because of their policies. In fact, politicians often influence what scientists research because governments usually have a roleas the government usually has a hand in many key research projects, especially those that may revolutionise how people live.
In conclusion, although scientists are working toward solutionseven if scientists are working toward solutions, politicians are still the ones directing which problems to solve and who should first benefit from the results. Therefore, greater influence lies with politiciansthe true power is in the politicians’ hands.
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response is strongest in its clear position and effective comparison of how scientists and politicians influence society, with the final argument linking political power to research priorities. Its main limitation is that several claims, especially in the politicians paragraph, remain broad or somewhat repetitive. The highest-priority improvement is to develop those claims with a more specific example and tighter, less repetitive wording.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both views are discussed directly, and the writer's preference is clear, relevant, and supported throughout.
Strengthen the politicians discussion with a concrete example showing the international effect of a policy decision.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response follows a clear progression from the two views to a reasoned personal judgement and conclusion.
Tighten progression within the politicians paragraph by replacing broad claims with one clearly developed example.
Lexical Resource
The vocabulary is varied and effective, though repeated forms of “influence” and a few broad expressions reduce precision.
Use more precise alternatives for political power and global effects while avoiding unnecessary repetition of key task language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Complex sentences are frequent and generally accurate, with only occasional awkward constructions that do not impede meaning.
Refine structures such as “consider politicians as those” and simplify overextended clauses for more natural control.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Some people believe that scientists have the greatest influence on the world. Other people, however, think that the influence of politicians is greater. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.