Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

In recent years, tourism has become more about capturing images for social media than about experiencing a destination. This essay will explore the reasons behind this trend and argue that it is largely a negative development.

Body 1 Main reason 1: Social Media*

People want to show their lifestyle online. Taking photos at famous places like the Eiffel Tower proves they have traveled. It is linked to getting likes and validation.

The main reason for this behavior is the influence of social media platforms. People are constantly exposed to images of others traveling to iconic locations such as the Taj Mahal or the Eiffel Tower. This creates pressure to replicate those experiences in order to gain likes, comments, and social approval online. For many, posting a photo at a well-known place has become a way to demonstrate a certain lifestyle and status, rather than to learn about the culture or history of the destination. In addition, the fear of missing out encourages people to visit the same spots just to prove they were there.

I consider this a negative trend for several reasons. Firstly, it reduces travel to a superficial activity focused on collecting digital proof instead of genuine experience. Tourists may spend more time finding the perfect angle for a photo than actually looking at the monument or understanding its significance. Secondly, this behavior can lead to overcrowding and damage at popular sites, as visitors prioritize photos over respect for the environment. Although it could be argued that this trend promotes tourism and benefits local economies, the long-term cost is a loss of meaningful cultural engagement.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, while social media is the main driver of this behavior, I believe it is a negative trend because it reduces travel to a photo opportunity rather than a meaningful experience.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the reasons for the trend and the evaluation of whether it is positive or negative. The position is clear from the introduction and maintained throughout. Ideas are well-developed, particularly the explanation of social media influence and the consequences of this behavior, such as overcrowding and the loss of genuine cultural engagement. The essay is well-structured, and the arguments are supported by relevant examples like the Taj Mahal and the Eiffel Tower. To reach a higher band, the student could further extend the discussion on the 'positive' side of the argument, even if only to refute it more thoroughly, to demonstrate a more nuanced exploration of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

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. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition,' 'Firstly,' 'Secondly,' and 'Although' are used effectively to link ideas. Paragraphing is logical and appropriate for the task. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is easy to follow. The structure is professional and contributes significantly to the overall clarity of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the topic. The student uses terms like 'iconic locations,' 'superficial activity,' 'meaningful cultural engagement,' and 'digital proof' effectively. The range is adequate to convey complex ideas without difficulty. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, it lacks a few more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations that would push the score into the 8.0+ range. However, there are no errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication, and the tone remains formal and academic throughout.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. Complex structures, such as the concessive clause 'Although it could be argued that this trend promotes tourism...' and the conditional-like structure '...rather than to learn about the culture,' are handled well. Punctuation is used correctly to support the flow of ideas. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a solid command of English grammar.

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