Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-26

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, most people visit famous places mainly to take photographs of themselves rather than to appreciate the history, culture, and beauty of these places. This trend has become increasingly common due to the widespread use of social media. Although taking photos can encourage people to travel, I believe this is a largely negative development.

One of the main reasons for this trend is the growing influence of social media platforms. Many people enjoy sharing pictures of themselves at popular destinations to gain attention, likes, and followers. As a result, visiting famous places becomes more about an image than enjoying the experience. In addition, Modern smartphones make it easier to upload high-quality pictures instantly, encouraging people to focus on capturing the perfect selfie from different angles instead of exploring the place itself.

In my opinion, this is mainly a negative trend. Firstly, people are taking photographs constantly and often miss the opportunity to learn about the history, architecture, and cultural significance of these places. Secondly, this behaviour can negatively impact other visitors. For example, crowded tourist destinations often become filled with people blocking pathways or waiting in a long queue just to take pictures, making the visit less enjoyable for everyone.

In conclusion, the increasing popularity of social media has encouraged many people to visit famous places mainly for photographs instead the meaningful experience. Although photos is a natural part of travelling, I believe this trend is more harmful than beneficial due to the fact that it reduces genuine appreciation of culture and historic sites.

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 well-defined position on whether it is positive or negative. The ideas are relevant and logically developed. For example, you explain the influence of social media and the impact on other tourists effectively. To reach a higher band, you could further extend your arguments with more specific examples or deeper analysis of the psychological motivations behind this trend, rather than just focusing on the social media aspect. Overall, your response is focused and maintains a consistent position throughout the essay.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use cohesive devices such as 'In addition,' 'Firstly,' and 'In conclusion' to guide the reader. However, the transition between ideas could be slightly more sophisticated to improve the flow. For instance, the link between the second and third paragraphs could be smoother. The use of referencing is generally clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate for the task. The progression of ideas is logical and easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your ideas with precision. Phrases like 'widespread use,' 'cultural significance,' and 'meaningful experience' are used appropriately. There are no significant spelling errors, and the vocabulary is generally well-suited to the topic. To improve, try to incorporate more 'less common' lexical items or idiomatic collocations to demonstrate greater flexibility. For example, instead of 'mainly a negative trend,' you could use 'predominantly a detrimental phenomenon.' Your word choice is accurate and does not impede communication, showing a good level of control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your control of punctuation is good. There is a minor error in the conclusion: 'rather than the meaningful experience' would be more grammatically accurate than 'rather the meaningful experience.' Additionally, 'Although photos is a natural part' should be 'Although photos are a natural part.' These are minor slips that do not impede communication. To achieve a higher band, aim for a greater variety of complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences or passive voice, to demonstrate full flexibility.

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