Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

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

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 this fast paced life, an increasing number of people have started visiting famous tourist attractions mainly to take photographs of themselves rather than to appreciate the places they are visiting. This trend is largely influenced by social media and the desire to share experiences online. In my opinion, it is a negative development because people may miss the cultural and educational value of travelling.

One major reason for this trend is the growing influence of social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. People often feel that they need attractive photographs to show their friends and followers that they have visited popular destinations. In addition, social media can create pressure to collect photographs at famous locations. For example, a person visiting the Eiffel Tower may spend more time finding the perfect angle for a selfie than learning about its history or enjoying the surrounding area. Another reason is that taking photographs has become extremely convenient because almost everyone carries a smartphone with a high-quality camera.

I believe this is mainly a negative trend. Firstly, travelling provides an opportunity to learn about different cultures, traditions, architecture, and history. If visitors are focused only on taking photographs, they may fail to understand the importance of the places they visit. Secondly, excessive photography can reduce the quality of the experience itself. Instead of enjoying a beautiful view or spending meaningful time with family and friends, people may become concerned about getting the perfect picture and receiving likes or comments online.

For instance, when visiting a historical monument, tourists can learn about the events and people connected with it. However, someone who is interested only in taking selfies may leave without gaining any knowledge about the site’s historical significance. Although photographs are useful for preserving memories and sharing experiences, they should not become the main purpose of travelling.

In conclusion, the popularity of social media and smartphones is encouraging people to focus more on photographing themselves than appreciating famous places. Although taking photographs can be a positive way to remember a trip, I believe that ignoring the actual destination is a negative trend because it prevents people from fully experiencing and understanding 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 convenience) and provide a well-supported argument for why it is a negative development. Your position is consistent throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the example of the Eiffel Tower, which effectively illustrates the conflict between photography and cultural appreciation. The conclusion reinforces your stance without simply repeating the introduction. To reach a higher band, you could further explore the nuance of whether this trend might have any positive aspects, such as promoting tourism, to provide a more balanced perspective before concluding.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. 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 'In addition,' 'Firstly,' 'Secondly,' and 'However,' which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural throughout the text. The structure is coherent and supports the overall argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the task. Phrases like 'cultural and educational value,' 'historical significance,' and 'excessive photography' show a good command of topic-specific language. The vocabulary is used naturally and accurately. While the range is sufficient to convey your ideas with precision, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations could elevate the response further. There are no significant errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use complex sentences effectively, such as 'Although photographs are useful for preserving memories and sharing experiences, they should not become the main purpose of travelling.' The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your writing. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent. This demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence.

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