Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-22

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)

Crime novels and TV crime dramas have become increasingly popular in many countries. People of different ages enjoy stories about mysteries, investigations, and criminals. In my opinion, crime fiction is popular because it creates excitement and encourages people to think carefully about different situations.

One major reason for its popularity is suspense. Crime stories usually begin with a mysterious event, and the audience wants to discover what happened and who is responsible. This keeps readers and viewers interested until the end. Another reason is that people enjoy solving problems. While watching a crime drama or reading a novel, they can examine clues and try to guess the solution before the main character does. This makes the experience entertaining and mentally engaging.

Crime fiction can also teach people about society. Many crime stories discuss important issues such as poverty, corruption, family problems, and the justice system. For example, detective shows often demonstrate how investigators collect evidence, interview people, and work together to solve complicated cases. However, these stories do not always show crime or police work realistically.

Personally, I enjoy crime fiction and TV crime dramas when they have an interesting plot and strong characters. I particularly like stories that focus on solving mysteries rather than showing unnecessary violence. They can be a good form of entertainment and can also improve our ability to think critically.

In conclusion, crime novels and TV dramas are popular because they combine suspense, mystery, and problem-solving. I believe they can be enjoyable and thought-provoking when presented responsibly.

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 your personal opinion. Your ideas are relevant and logically developed. For instance, you explain the appeal of suspense and the cognitive satisfaction of problem-solving. To reach a higher band, you could expand further on your personal opinion by providing a more specific example of a crime drama or book you have enjoyed, which would add depth to your argument and demonstrate a more nuanced perspective on the genre's impact on society.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, such as the psychological appeal of suspense or the social commentary provided by crime stories. You use cohesive devices like 'One major reason,' 'Another reason,' and 'However' effectively to guide the reader through your argument. The progression of ideas is logical and easy to follow. To improve, ensure that the transition between the third paragraph (social issues) and the fourth (personal opinion) is slightly smoother to enhance the overall flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'mentally engaging,' 'thought-provoking,' and 'unnecessary violence' are used accurately. While your vocabulary is clear and appropriate, it is somewhat functional. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items related to the genre, such as 'gripping narratives,' 'criminological insights,' or 'the allure of the whodunit.' This would demonstrate a greater flexibility and awareness of style.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your grammar is generally accurate, and you use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most of your sentences are error-free, which makes your writing easy to read. For example, the use of conditional structures and subordinate clauses is handled well. There are no significant errors that impede communication. To move toward a higher band, try to vary your sentence length and structure even more, perhaps by using more advanced punctuation like semicolons or more complex relative clauses to connect your ideas with greater sophistication.

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