Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

In recent years, it has become increasingly common for people to take photographs of themselves when visiting famous tourist attractions, sometimes without paying attention to the attractions themselves. This trend can mainly be attributed to the influence of social media and the desire to document one's travels. Although taking photographs has some benefits, I believe that this is largely a negative development.

There are several reasons why this behaviour has become increasingly common. The most significant one is the growing influence of social media. Many people want to share their experiences online and receive attention from friends and followers. As a result, they may concentrate on taking attractive photographs rather than experiencing the destination itself. For example, tourists visiting a famous landmark such as the Eiffel Tower may spend considerable time taking selfies and selecting the best photograph for social media. Consequently, the photograph can become more important than the actual experience.

Despite this, I believe that this is predominantly a negative trend. The main problem is that excessive photography can prevent tourists from appreciating the cultural, historical and natural value of a destination. Instead of observing their surroundings, they may be concerned about their appearance, camera angle or the number of likes they receive. For instance, a visitor to a historical monument might take numerous selfies without reading the information about its history or architecture. In this way, people can visit remarkable places without gaining a meaningful understanding of them.

In conclusion, the increasing tendency to take selfies at famous destinations is mainly caused by social media and the desire to document and display travel experiences. While photography can preserve memories and allow people to share their experiences, I believe that this trend is generally negative because it can prevent tourists from genuinely appreciating the places they visit.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly identify the reasons for the trend (social media influence and the desire to document experiences) and provide a firm, consistent position that it is a negative development. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of the Eiffel Tower and the impact on historical understanding. The structure is logical, and the argument is sustained throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, you could further explore the nuance of why this is a 'negative' trend by contrasting it with the potential benefits of photography more deeply, but the current level of development is strong and meets the requirements for a high score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is well-organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the causes of the trend and your evaluation of it is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'consequently', 'despite this', and 'in this way', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The flow is natural, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive linking. The logical structure makes the essay very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the topic. Phrases like 'predominantly a negative trend', 'cultural, historical and natural value', and 'meaningful understanding' show a good level of precision. You use topic-specific vocabulary effectively, such as 'tourist attractions' and 'landmark'. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, it could be slightly more ambitious to reach the highest band. However, the current usage is natural and precise, with no errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively, such as the use of conditional and concessive clauses (e.g., 'Although taking photographs has some benefits, I believe...'). Punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant grammatical errors. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few complex structures you employ are handled with confidence. The writing is clear, professional, and demonstrates a strong command of English syntax.

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