Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-13

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 8.0)

In recent years, it has become increasingly common for people to visit famous landmarks primarily to take photographs of themselves rather than to appreciate the places they are visiting. In my opinion, although taking photographs is a natural way to preserve memories and share experiences, focusing exclusively on getting the perfect picture can prevent people from genuinely enjoying and understanding their surroundings.

There are several reasons why people behave in this way. Firstly, social media has made photographs an important part of travelling. Many people feel encouraged to take attractive pictures at famous locations because they want to share their experiences with friends and followers. Secondly, photographs provide a convenient way to record a trip. A picture taken in front of a well-known landmark can serve as a lasting reminder of a particular journey.

However, I believe that excessive focus on photography can have negative consequences. When visitors spend most of their time posing for photographs, they may fail to appreciate the history, architecture and culture of the places they have travelled to see. For example, someone visiting a historic monument might spend several minutes finding the best angle for a photograph but never learn why the site is historically significant. This can make travelling a superficial experience rather than an opportunity to discover new cultures and broaden one's understanding of the world.

In my view, the best approach is to maintain a balance between taking photographs and experiencing the destination itself. Exploring local attractions, learning about their history and interacting with local people can create much more meaningful memories than simply collecting photographs.

In conclusion, although photographing oneself at famous destinations can be an enjoyable way to document a journey, I believe that allowing photography to dominate the experience is undesirable. Travellers should use photographs to complement their experiences rather than allowing them to replace genuine appreciation of the places they visit.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly identify the reasons for the trend—social media influence and the desire for convenient trip documentation—and provide a balanced, well-reasoned argument regarding its negative impact on the travel experience. Your position is consistent throughout the essay, and the ideas are well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of failing to appreciate the history or architecture of a site. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your argument, suggesting a balanced approach. The response is well-structured and directly answers both questions posed in the task instructions.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the reasons for the trend and the evaluation of its impact is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'However', and 'In conclusion', which guide the reader through your argument without being mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph serving a distinct purpose in the overall structure. The referencing is clear, and the flow of ideas is logical and easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the topic. Phrases such as 'genuinely enjoying', 'superficial experience', and 'complement their experiences' show a good level of precision. While the vocabulary is accurate and natural, it stays within a fairly standard range. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations related to travel and digital culture. However, the current range is sufficient to convey your ideas clearly and effectively without any noticeable errors in word choice or collocation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your writing displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'When visitors spend most of their time posing for photographs, they may fail to...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is accurate throughout. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent, reflecting a solid grasp of English grammar suitable for a high-level response.

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