Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-01

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 many countries, crime novels and TV crime dramas have become very popular. There are several reasons for this trend. In my opinion, crime stories are interesting because they create suspense and allow people to think about solving difficult problems.

One main reason for their popularity is that people enjoy mystery and excitement. Crime novels and TV dramas often have unexpected events, clues and surprising endings. Viewers become interested in finding out who committed the crime before the story reveals the answer. Another reason is that these stories can help people understand how police officers and detectives investigate cases. They show different methods of collecting evidence and finding suspects, which can be educational as well as entertaining.

I personally have a positive opinion of crime fiction and TV crime dramas. They can improve logical thinking because readers and viewers try to connect different clues and predict what will happen next. They can also provide a way to relax after a busy day. For example, when I watch a crime drama, I enjoy discussing the possible suspect and trying to guess the ending before it is revealed.

However, I believe people should not watch or read too much crime-related content. Some shows contain violence and disturbing scenes, which may not be suitable for children. Therefore, it is important to choose suitable programs and maintain a balance.

In conclusion, crime novels and TV crime dramas are popular because they are exciting, mysterious and sometimes educational. I enjoy them because they keep me interested and encourage me to think carefully about the story.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

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 and logically developed, such as the mention of 'logical thinking' and 'educational value'. However, the development is somewhat straightforward and lacks the depth required for a higher band. For example, while you mention that these shows are 'educational', expanding on how they reflect societal fears or the human psyche would have provided a more sophisticated analysis. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively summarises the main points.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is well-organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between paragraphs is logical. You use cohesive devices such as 'One main reason', 'Another reason', and 'However' to guide the reader. While the paragraphing is appropriate, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical at times. To reach a higher band, you could aim for more varied and subtle linking words to improve the flow between sentences, rather than relying on standard signposting phrases.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication. You use some topic-specific terms like 'detectives', 'investigate cases', and 'collecting evidence'. However, the range is somewhat limited and lacks the 'less common' or 'idiomatic' vocabulary that would demonstrate a higher level of lexical control. Many of the words used are quite general (e.g., 'interesting', 'good', 'popular'). To improve, try to incorporate more precise adjectives and collocations related to the genre of crime fiction to show a greater breadth of vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is generally accurate. You successfully use complex sentences, such as 'Some shows contain violence and disturbing scenes, which may not be suitable for children.' While the grammar is reliable, the range of structures is not particularly wide. To achieve a higher band, you should experiment with more varied complex structures, such as inversion or conditional sentences, while maintaining the high level of accuracy you have already demonstrated.

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

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