Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-24

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)

Nowadays, it has become increasingly common for tourists to visit famous landmarks primarily to photographs themselves rather than to genuinely experience the location. In my opinion, this is a largely negative trend, although it does bring a few benefits.

There are several reasons behind this behaviour. Firstly, the rise of social media platforms such as Instagram has created a culture where personal image and online validation matter more than the experience itself. People often feel pressure to prove they have visited a place, and a photograph serves as an evidence to share with friends and followers. Secondly, smartphones have made photography effortless, so capture a quick selfie has become an automatic habit rather than a considered choice. Finally, some tourists simply have limited time at each destination, so they prioritize a quick photo over a thoughtful visit.

I believe this trend is largely negative. When visitors focus solely on getting the perfect shot, they often overlook the history, culture, and atmosphere that make a place special. For instance, a sites such as the Taj Mahal or the Eiffel Tower, long queues frequently form as tourists wait to pose rather than admire the architecture, and some even risk their safety climbing barrier for a better angle. This reduces travel to a superficial, image-driven activity rather than a meaningful cultural exchange.

There is one clear advantage though, striking photographs can inspire others to visit these locations, thereby supporting local tourism economies and spreading awareness of lesser-known sites.

In conclusion, while selfie culture offers some economic growth, it ultimately diminishes the depth and purpose of the travel experience by prioritizing image over genuine engagement with the destination.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing clear reasons for the trend and a well-defined position on whether it is positive or negative. The ideas are relevant and logically extended, such as the discussion on social media validation and the impact on cultural appreciation. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the development could be slightly more nuanced, perhaps by exploring the psychological drivers of this behavior in greater depth, but the current level of support is sufficient for a strong performance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the reasons for the trend from the evaluation of its impact. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'Finally', and 'In conclusion' are used appropriately to guide the reader. The transition between the negative aspects and the single advantage is smooth. The referencing is generally clear, and the flow of the argument is consistent, making the essay easy to follow from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and generally precise, allowing for a natural discussion of the topic. Phrases like 'online validation', 'superficial, image-driven activity', and 'meaningful cultural exchange' demonstrate a good range. There are minor slips, such as 'a sites' (should be 'sites' or 'a site') and 'climbing barrier' (should be 'climbing barriers'), but these do not impede communication. The student shows an ability to use less common lexical items effectively, which supports a solid band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is generally good control over grammar and punctuation. However, there are a few noticeable errors, such as 'to photographs themselves' (should be 'to photograph') and 'so capture a quick selfie' (should be 'so capturing a quick selfie'). Despite these occasional slips, the majority of sentences are error-free, and the meaning is always clear. The range of structures is sufficient to convey complex ideas effectively.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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