Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-08

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In many countries today, crime novels and TV crime dramas are becoming more and more popular. Why do you think these books and TV shows are popular? What is your opinion of crime fiction and TV crime dramas?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

 

Student answer (Band 7.0)

In the current world, crime novels and television crime dramas are becoming increasingly popular in many countries. There are several reasons for this trend, and in my opinion, these forms of entertainment can have both educational and entertaining benefits.

Firstly, one of the main reasons why crime novels and TV dramas are becoming popular is that they can spread self-awareness among individuals. The increase in crime rates around the world has encouraged people to read and watch these types of stories because they often depict situations that can happen in real life. Apart from this, crime fiction is usually interesting and full of suspense and curiosity, which encourages people to continue reading or watching. For example, I once started reading a fiction novel called The Mars. It took me almost a month to finish because I did not feel curious about what would happen next. Later, I started reading another crime novel called The Criminal, which I finished within a day because it was so interesting. I wanted to continue reading it throughout the day, even while travelling or doing other activities.

According to me, I believe that more of these books and television programmes should be encouraged, although they can sometimes have a negative impact on people's minds. Some crime dramas may be frightening, particularly for younger viewers. However, I believe that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages because such stories can teach people about the consequences of criminal behaviour and how to avoid becoming victims. Moreover, children and adults can become more aware of how crimes may occur and what they can do to protect themselves. For instance, I started watching Criminal Justice, which opened my mind to how crimes are investigated and how people can become victims of criminal activities. It also taught me the importance of being self-aware and taking appropriate precautions to protect myself. Therefore, I believe that crime dramas can provide useful lessons when they are presented responsibly.

To sum up, crime novels and TV crime dramas are becoming increasingly popular because they are entertaining, suspenseful and can increase people's awareness of crime. In my opinion, these forms of entertainment are generally beneficial because, in addition to providing enjoyment, they can teach people about criminal behaviour and ways to protect themselves.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly identify reasons for the popularity of crime fiction (suspense, self-awareness, real-life relevance) and provide a clear personal opinion. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the argument regarding the educational value of these shows in teaching safety precautions. The examples provided, such as 'Criminal Justice', are relevant and effectively support your position. To reach a higher band, ensure that the distinction between 'books' and 'TV shows' is maintained throughout, as your arguments occasionally blend them together. Overall, the response is well-focused and directly answers the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use a range of cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Apart from this', 'However', and 'To sum up' to link your thoughts effectively. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions could be more sophisticated to avoid a slightly mechanical feel. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the referencing is clear throughout the text. The structure supports the development of your argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'criminal behaviour', 'appropriate precautions', and 'depict situations' show a good command of topic-specific language. There are occasional minor inaccuracies, such as 'spread self-awareness' (which is slightly unnatural; 'raise awareness' would be better) and 'According to me' (which is a common error; 'In my opinion' is preferred). However, these do not impede communication. You attempt to use less common vocabulary, which adds to the overall quality of the writing. Expanding your range of collocations would help elevate the score further.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use complex sentences effectively, such as 'Although they can sometimes have a negative impact on people's minds', which shows good control. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is generally accurate. There are a few minor slips, such as 'I did not feel curious' (which is slightly awkward; 'I was not intrigued' would be more natural). However, these errors are rare and do not interfere with the reader's understanding. You show a solid grasp of grammar, which is consistent throughout the response.

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