Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-23

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)

Nowadays, more and more people visit famous places mainly to take photographs of themselves rather than enjoy the places. Some people consider this a normal part of travelling, while others believe it reduces the value of visiting such locations. In my opinion, I believe this is a negative trend because people focus less on the experience and may not appreciate the place properly.

Firstly, one important reason is the influence of social media. Many people want to share attractive photographs on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. This is because they want to show their friends that they have visited famous places. For example, tourists may spend more time taking selfies at a popular monument than learning about its history. Therefore, social media can make people more interested in photographs than real experiences.

Secondly, people may become too focused on creating a perfect image. In other words, they may visit a place mainly to take photographs that make their social media profiles look interesting. For instance, a person might visit a famous museum but spend most of the time choosing the best place and angle for a photo. As a result, they may miss important information about the culture and history of the location. This shows that excessive photography can reduce the enjoyment of travelling.

In conclusion, although taking photographs is a good way to remember a trip, I believe that focusing too much on selfies is a negative trend. This is mainly because social media encourages people to take photographs and prevents them from fully enjoying and understanding the places they visit.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have addressed all parts of the prompt, providing clear reasons for the trend and a definitive stance on whether it is positive or negative. Your position is consistent throughout the essay. The ideas are relevant and logically developed, particularly in the second paragraph regarding the 'perfect image' and the loss of cultural appreciation. To reach a higher band, you could further extend your arguments by discussing the long-term impact on tourism or the psychological aspect of 'living for the moment' versus 'living for the feed'. Overall, the response is well-focused and directly answers the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'For example', and 'As a result', which guide the reader through your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow. To improve, you could vary your linking words slightly more to avoid a somewhat mechanical feel, but the current structure is clear and effective.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'excessive photography', 'reduce the value', and 'attractive photographs' are used correctly. While the vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for the task, it is somewhat functional. To achieve a higher band, try to incorporate more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations, such as 'curating an online persona' or 'superficial engagement with heritage sites', to show a greater level of lexical flexibility and nuance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your grammar is generally accurate, and you use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is correct. You demonstrate good control over complex structures, such as the use of 'although' in the conclusion and 'because' clauses throughout. There are no significant errors that impede communication. To move into the higher bands, ensure you continue to use a wider variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences or passive voice, to demonstrate greater grammatical flexibility.

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