Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-14

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, more and more people have started visiting famous places to take photographs of themselves rather than to enjoy the places. This experience attracted considerable attention because it is changing the way people experience tourism. The reason behind people's perspective and my opinion are discussed further.

There are several reasons related to this issue. To begin with, widespread use of social media is one of the main factors. This is because people often want to share attractive photographs on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook to show their friends and followers where they have travelled. As a result, taking photographs can become more important than experiencing the destination itself. For example, some tourists may spend a considerable amount of time finding the best place for a selfie instead of learning about the history or culture of the location. Furthermore, people may want to create good online image and receive likes and positive comments. Therefore, it is clear that social media and desire for online attention is largely responsible for this trend.

Turning to the second question, I believe that this is mainly a negative development. In other words, focusing too much on photographs can prevent tourist from fully appreciating the beauty, culture and history of a place. This can lead to a shallow travel experience. For instance, a person may visit a historical monument but remember only the photographs taken there rather than its importance. Furthermore, excessive photography can sometimes disturb other visitors or damage sensitive tourist sites. Therefore, although taking photographs can help individuals preserve memories, its negative effects are more significant when it becomes the main purpose of travelling.

In conclusion, social media and the desire for online attention are the main reasons why people focus more on taking photographs at famous places. In addition, this trend can reduce people's appreciation of the actual destinations. Therefore, I believe that this is largely a negative development.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing clear reasons for the trend (social media influence) and a well-supported opinion on its negative nature. The ideas are relevant and logically extended, such as the mention of 'shallow travel experience' and the potential for site damage. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more nuanced examples or explore the 'why' behind the social media phenomenon in greater depth, perhaps by discussing the psychological need for validation or the 'fear of missing out' (FOMO) in more detail.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively, such as 'To begin with,' 'Furthermore,' and 'In conclusion,' which guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is logical, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the prompt. The progression of ideas is smooth, and referencing is clear throughout. The use of cohesive devices is natural and rarely feels mechanical, contributing to a coherent and easy-to-follow response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses terms like 'widespread use,' 'sensitive tourist sites,' and 'shallow travel experience' effectively. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, and the collocations are generally accurate. While the range is good, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated or precise academic vocabulary to demonstrate a wider lexical range. There are no significant errors in word choice that impede communication, and the tone remains formal and objective throughout.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are minor slips, such as 'prevent tourist from' (should be 'tourists') and 'create good online image' (should be 'a good online image'), but these are infrequent and do not hinder understanding. The variety of structures, including conditional and causal clauses, shows a good command of English grammar. The writing is clear and accurate, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

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