Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-09

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 recent years, novels and TV series based on crime are in high demand in many nations. The driving factor behind this trend is ability to create suspense and excitement which ultimately breaks the monotony in life people are experiencing these days. I believe they are valuable forms of entertainment if used responsibly.

The primary catalyst behind this phenomenon is its ability to create suspense and excitement in the spectator's mind. Since it takes them away into another world, they feel themselves completely hooked in solving mysteries of the crime. This keeps them fully involved in those novels or shows. Additionally, it helps the readers or the viewers to apply their critical thinking and problem solving skills to predict the outcome of the story, consequently it helps in their cognitive development.

Another contributing factor is that crime related books and shows are cathartic outlet of stress. Since, individuals these days are bored of their repetitive routines, in order to break that monotony, they look for something adventurous such as crime related novels or TV shows which help them get distracted from their boring routines. This genre of books and dramas help consumers escape from the reality of their lives. For instance, the iconic Indian TV show 'CID' was broadcast for ten years straight as it was very famous in Indian households because it engaged all kinds of audiences which felt as if they themselves were solving mysteries in the show.

In conclusion, crime novels and TV dramas have become popular because they not only provide consumers with safe adventure and improve their skills, but also give them an opportunity to unwind and momentarily escape from their boring lives. In my opinion, they are positive forms of entertainment however, excessive violence should be avoided as it may negatively harm the children.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have addressed all parts of the prompt, providing clear reasons for the popularity of crime fiction and expressing a personal opinion. Your ideas are relevant and logically developed. For instance, you explain the psychological appeal of suspense and the cognitive benefits of problem-solving. However, the development could be further enhanced by exploring the 'why' behind the popularity in more depth, perhaps by discussing the human fascination with the darker side of society or the 'justice served' trope. Your position is clear throughout the essay, and you maintain a consistent focus on the topic, which demonstrates a good level of task response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use cohesive devices such as 'The primary catalyst', 'Additionally', and 'Another contributing factor' to guide the reader through your arguments. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate distinct ideas. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions could be more sophisticated to avoid a slightly mechanical feel. For example, the link between the second and third paragraphs could be tighter. Overall, the progression of ideas is logical, and the use of referencing is clear, meeting the requirements for a solid band 7.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision. Phrases like 'primary catalyst', 'monotony in life', and 'cathartic outlet' show an ability to use less common items effectively. There are some minor issues with collocation, such as 'negatively harm', where 'negatively affect' or 'cause harm' would be more natural. Additionally, the repetition of 'crime related' could be improved by using synonyms like 'detective fiction' or 'procedural dramas'. Despite these minor inaccuracies, your vocabulary is adequate to convey your ideas clearly and with some stylistic awareness.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the conditional 'if used responsibly' and the relative clause 'which ultimately breaks the monotony'. While there are some grammatical errors, such as missing articles ('the ability', 'the spectator's mind') and minor punctuation slips (e.g., the comma splice in 'consequently it helps'), these do not impede communication. Your control over complex structures is generally good, though increasing the variety of sentence types would further improve your score. The majority of your sentences are clear and error-free, reflecting a competent grasp of English grammar.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.