Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-25

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 8.5)

In recent years, a growing number of tourists have begun prioritising capturing images of themselves at famous landmarks over actually engaging with those sites. This essay will explore the underlying reasons for this phenomenon and argue that, on balance, it represents a predominantly negative development.

The rise of social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok is perhaps the single greatest driver of this trend. In the digital age, personal identity is increasingly constructed and communicated online, and photographs taken at iconic locations serve as powerful social currency. Visiting the Eiffel Tower or the Taj Mahal has, for many people, become less about cultural enrichment and more about demonstrating one’s lifestyle to an online audience. Furthermore, the widespread availability of smartphones with high-quality cameras has made self-documentation effortless and immediate, reinforcing the habit of recording experiences rather than living them. Psychologists have also suggested that the act of photographing something can create an illusion of possession — a feeling that one has “captured” a place without necessarily absorbing it.

On the question of whether this constitutes a positive or negative trend, the drawbacks appear to considerably outweigh any benefits. Most significantly, this behaviour reflects and reinforces a shallow engagement with cultural heritage. Monuments, museums, and natural wonders carry profound historical and artistic significance, yet when visitors spend the majority of their time arranging the perfect selfie, that meaning is entirely lost. The experience becomes transactional rather than transformative. In addition, the physical consequences for popular destinations are considerable. Overcrowding at specific photographic vantage points has caused measurable damage to several heritage sites; the famous selfie spot at Machu Picchu, for instance, has contributed to soil erosion and restricted access for other visitors.

Admittedly, one could argue that this trend has some merit. Self-photographs shared widely online can raise awareness of lesser-known destinations, potentially boosting local tourism economies. However, this benefit is largely incidental and does not justify the broader cultural and environmental costs associated with the behaviour.

In conclusion, the selfie-driven approach to tourism is principally a product of social media culture and the human desire for validation. While it is not entirely without value, it ultimately diminishes the quality of the travel experience and poses genuine risks to the world’s most treasured sites. Encouraging more mindful and immersive forms of tourism should therefore be a shared priority for educators, platform designers, and policymakers alike.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt. You clearly identify the drivers of the trend—social media validation and technological ease—and provide a well-reasoned argument for why this is a negative development. The ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of Machu Picchu to illustrate environmental impact. Your position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesises your main points. The response is well-structured and demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the task requirements, meeting all criteria for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organised 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 wide range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Furthermore', 'On the question of', and 'Admittedly', which help to guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used skilfully to separate the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The flow of information is natural and unobtrusive, reflecting a high level of control over the structure of the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary. Phrases such as 'social currency', 'cultural enrichment', 'transactional rather than transformative', and 'mindful and immersive' are used with precision and natural collocation. The language is varied and appropriate for an academic or formal context. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling, and the vocabulary contributes significantly to the clarity and impact of your arguments. This level of lexical control is indicative of a very high proficiency.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay displays a wide range of complex grammatical structures, including conditional sentences, participial phrases, and varied sentence lengths. The control over punctuation and syntax is excellent, with the majority of sentences being error-free. You successfully integrate complex ideas without sacrificing clarity. There are no significant grammatical slips, and the overall accuracy is very high. The use of varied sentence structures keeps the writing engaging and demonstrates a strong command of English grammar.

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