Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-02
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 times, crime novels and TV crime dramas have witnessed a surge in popularity in many countries. This essay will explore the reasons for this trend. As far as my opinion goes, the works of crime fiction and non-fiction are important and should be embraced and celebrated for their significance.
One reason for the growing popularity of crime books and TV crime series is their ability to provide an engaging and thrilling experience to audiences. These works of fiction create a sense of suspense, mystery and intrigue which are essential components in captivating an audience's attention. In addition, the inclusion of realistic settings and characters that the audience can identify with also adds to the appeal of these books and shows. For example, the British crime drama "Broadchurch" is set in a small coastal town and explores the impact of a child's murder on the community, which is both relatable and captivating for the audience.
Another reason for the popularity of crime novels and TV crime dramas is their capacity to satisfy human curiosity about crime and the workings of the criminal mind. This is particularly evident in the sub-genre of forensic science fiction, such as the TV show "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," which provides a glimpse into the workings of forensic science and criminal investigation. These shows tap into our fascination with crime and our desire to understand the mechanisms behind criminal behaviour. Books & Literature
In my opinion, crime fiction and TV crime dramas are valuable sources of entertainment and education. They offer insights into the workings of the criminal justice system and the complexities of human behaviour. Moreover, they provide a platform for discussing social issues such as corruption, inequality, and justice. For instance, the Netflix series "When They See Us" highlights the issue of racial profiling and wrongful imprisonment. TV & Video
In conclusion, the growing popularity of crime novels and TV crime dramas can be attributed to their ability to captivate audiences with engaging and thrilling narratives while also providing educational and social commentary. In my view, these works of fiction are an important cultural phenomenon that should be embraced and celebrated for their significant contributions to society.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing clear reasons for the popularity of crime fiction and a well-defined personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and supported by specific examples, such as 'Broadchurch' and 'When They See Us'. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the development of ideas could be slightly more analytical; for instance, explaining why the 'human curiosity' mentioned in the second body paragraph is a psychological necessity rather than just a preference would add depth. Overall, the response is well-structured and fully meets the requirements of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'Another reason', and 'Moreover' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate. The inclusion of stray text like 'Books & Literature' and 'TV & Video' at the end of paragraphs is a minor distraction that slightly affects the flow, but the overall structure remains coherent and easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the topic. You demonstrate a good range of topic-specific terms such as 'forensic science', 'criminal justice system', 'racial profiling', and 'wrongful imprisonment'. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, and the word choices are generally precise. While the range is good, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic expressions to elevate the tone. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use relative clauses and compound-complex sentences effectively, such as in the sentence: 'The British crime drama "Broadchurch" is set in a small coastal town and explores the impact of a child's murder on the community, which is both relatable and captivating for the audience.' The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly to support clarity. The writing is fluent, and the control over complex structures is consistent, which is indicative of a high level of grammatical competence.
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