Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-21
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 6.5)
Nowadays, crime novels and TV crime dramas are becoming increasingly popular in many countries. There are several reasons why people enjoy them. In my opinion, crime stories can be interesting and entertaining, although sometimes they can also be disturbing.
One main reason for their popularity is that people enjoy mystery and suspense. When we watch a crime drama, we want to know who committed the crime and what will happen at the end.This keeps people interested and makes them want to watch the next episode. Another reason is that crime stories can help people understand how police officers investigate cases and find evidence. For some people, it is also a way to escape from their normal daily routine.
Personally, I like crime fiction and TV crime dramas, especially when the story is realistic and has an unexpected ending. I enjoy trying to guess who the criminal is before the truth is revealed. However, I do not like shows that contain too much violence because they can make people feel uncomfortable.
For example, I have watched some crime series with my husband, which i really liked my own opinion and we often discussed the story and tried to guess the criminal before the final episode. This made watching the show more enjoyable and gave us something interesting to talk about.
In conclusion, I believe crime novels and TV crime dramas are popular because they provide mystery, excitement and entertainment. L personally enjoy them when they have a good story without too much violence.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response addresses all parts of the prompt: it explains the popularity of crime fiction and provides a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant, such as the appeal of mystery and the desire for escapism. However, the development is somewhat limited. While the points are clear, they are not fully extended with deep analysis or more sophisticated examples. The personal example provided is brief and could have been used to better illustrate the broader social appeal of these genres. To reach a higher band, you should aim to expand on your points with more detailed reasoning or broader societal implications.
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. Cohesive devices such as 'One main reason', 'Another reason', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. However, the transition between some sentences is slightly mechanical, and the use of referencing could be more varied. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure supports the development of the argument well.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication. You use some topic-specific terms like 'mystery', 'suspense', 'investigate', and 'evidence'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simpler, high-frequency words. To improve, you should incorporate more precise collocations and less common lexical items related to the genre of crime fiction (e.g., 'gripping narrative', 'psychological thriller', or 'clandestine'). The word choice is generally accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede understanding.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are grammatically correct, and errors are infrequent. There is a minor error in the fourth paragraph ('which i really liked my own opinion'), which is slightly awkward and confusing. Punctuation is generally handled well, though there is a minor spacing issue before 'This' in the second paragraph. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to use a wider variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences or passive voice constructions, with greater consistency and fewer minor slips.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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