Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-13
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 5.5)
In recent time, there is a trend of watching crime dramas and reading novels related to crime thrillers have became more popular. In this essay, I will list down major reasons which are supporting this trend.
Firstly, people have started consuming content which has more suspense, action and thrill. Previously, people loved watching movies associated with romance, history and family drama. After covid pandemic, the rise of OTT platform has increased viewership of TV crime dramas. Secondly, internet also bridged the geographic gap, as people from western countries can access movies and series from eastern world. People started prioritise movies with engaging storyline, strong dialogue and connection with real life stories, crime dramas are based on all of these. People want more action and thrill, and also they can watch a series in multiple episodes compare to watch an entire movie in one shot. Watching movies over online platforms also provides flexibility.
Furthermore, one of the main underlying reasons stems from the fact is that due to access usage of phones people have shifted towards book reading. Moving further, it is pertinent to mention that doing a book reading before bedtime helps calm your mind and reduce strain on eyes. Also reading book helps mind to focus and learn more. Moreover, I personally started reading a crime novel everyday, it helps me to stay away from blue light, reduces stress level.
In conclusion to the arguments aforementioned above, one can reach to a gist that the watching TV crime dramas are indeed on uphill.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses both parts of the prompt, identifying reasons for the popularity of crime fiction and providing a personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is uneven. While the reasons for popularity (suspense, OTT platforms, global access) are relevant, the second body paragraph shifts focus to the benefits of reading in general rather than specifically addressing why crime novels are popular. Furthermore, the personal opinion is somewhat underdeveloped and lacks depth. To improve, ensure that every paragraph directly supports the specific question asked and provides more detailed analysis or examples to justify your claims.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the logical progression is occasionally hindered by abrupt transitions and repetitive phrasing. While cohesive devices like 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'Furthermore' are used, they sometimes feel mechanical. The referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the final paragraph where the conclusion does not effectively summarize the main points discussed. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph flows naturally into the next, maintaining a clear focus on the central argument throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and range required for a higher band. There are instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'access usage of phones' and 'watching TV crime dramas are indeed on uphill'. Some word choices are repetitive, and the essay relies on fairly basic vocabulary. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations and topic-specific terminology related to media and literature. Avoiding word-choice errors and using more precise synonyms will significantly enhance the quality of your writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow. Examples include 'have became more popular' (tense error), 'compare to watch' (incorrect structure), and 'reading book' (missing article). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with comma usage. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement, correct verb forms, and article usage will help improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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