Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-01

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

More and more people nowadays visit well-known places to take photographs of themselves, without looking at the place.

Why do you think this is happening?

Is it a positive or a negative trend?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 9.0)

In recent years, a growing number of tourists have been visiting renowned landmarks primarily to photograph themselves rather than to genuinely engage with their surroundings. This essay will explore the reasons behind this phenomenon and argue that it represents a largely negative trend.

The main driving force behind this behaviour is the pervasive influence of social media. Platforms such as Instagram have created a culture in which validation is measured through likes, comments, and followers, prompting individuals to prioritise capturing the "perfect" photo over appreciating their actual surroundings. Consequently, the act of visiting a well-known site has, for many people, become less about personal experience and more about curating an appealing online image. A clear illustration of this can be seen at popular tourist attractions, where long queues often form not to enter a site, but simply to take a photograph at a specific, camera-friendly spot.

This shift is largely detrimental, as it diminishes the depth and authenticity of the travel experience. When tourists become preoccupied with photography, they frequently overlook the historical, cultural, or artistic value of the place they are visiting. For example, a visitor to an ancient temple might spend the majority of their visit adjusting poses and angles, leaving with little understanding of the site's significance. This not only results in a superficial travel experience but may also disturb other visitors seeking a more contemplative or immersive encounter with the location.

In conclusion, this growing tendency appears to stem largely from the desire for social media recognition, and I would argue that it constitutes a negative trend, as it compromises the depth and value of genuine travel experiences.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly identify the reasons for the trend, specifically the influence of social media and the desire for validation, and you provide a well-supported argument regarding why this is a negative trend. The ideas are extended with relevant examples, such as the mention of long queues at tourist sites and the lack of engagement with historical significance. The position is clear and maintained consistently throughout the essay. The response is well-structured and demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

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. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Consequently', 'A clear illustration of this', and 'This shift is largely detrimental', which help to link ideas naturally. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the reasons from the evaluation of the trend. The flow of the argument is logical and easy to follow, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 9.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, using precise terms such as 'renowned landmarks', 'pervasive influence', 'curating', 'detrimental', and 'contemplative'. The word choices are natural and sophisticated, contributing to the overall clarity and academic tone of the essay. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation. You successfully use less common lexical items to convey your ideas with precision, which is characteristic of a high-level response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and varied clause types, used with high accuracy. For instance, the use of participial phrases ('prompting individuals to...') and conditional structures ('When tourists become...') is handled correctly. The punctuation is accurate, and the majority of sentences are error-free. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The control over complex structures is consistent throughout the text, demonstrating a high level of grammatical competence.

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