Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

In recent years, an increasing number of tourists have become more interested in taking photographs of themselves at famous attractions than in appreciating the places they visit. This trend is largely driven by social media and the desire to create an attractive online image. In my view, however, it is predominantly a negative development because it reduces the value of travel as a cultural and educational experience.

One major reason for this behaviour is the growing influence of social networking platforms. People often feel encouraged to document their holidays and share photographs on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. As a result, visiting a famous landmark can become an opportunity to produce visually appealing content rather than an experience to be enjoyed personally. Furthermore, social media can create a sense of competition, as people may want to demonstrate that they have visited more prestigious or exotic destinations than their friends. The availability of smartphones and high-quality cameras has also made taking and immediately sharing photographs extremely easy.

I believe this is largely a negative trend. First, tourists who concentrate excessively on taking selfies may fail to appreciate the historical, cultural or natural significance of the places they visit. For example, someone visiting an ancient monument may spend more time finding the perfect angle for a photograph than learning about its history and importance. This can make travel superficial and prevent people from gaining meaningful knowledge from their experiences. In addition, excessive photography can disturb other visitors and, in some cases, encourage people to behave irresponsibly simply to obtain an impressive photograph.

In conclusion, the popularity of social media and the desire for online recognition are the main reasons why people increasingly prioritise photographs over experiencing tourist attractions. Although taking pictures can help preserve memories, I believe that focusing on them at the expense of appreciating a destination is a negative trend.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly identify the reasons for the trend (social media influence and the desire for online validation) and provide a well-supported argument for why this is a negative development. Your position is consistent throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, such as the example of a tourist prioritizing the 'perfect angle' over learning about an ancient monument. To reach the highest band, you could further extend the discussion by briefly acknowledging the counter-argument—that photography can also serve as a tool for engagement—before refuting it, which would add even more depth to your analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

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 'As a result,' 'Furthermore,' and 'In addition,' which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The flow is natural and the structure supports the overall argument without any mechanical feel.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the topic. Phrases like 'cultural and educational experience,' 'prestigious or exotic destinations,' and 'superficial' show a strong command of language. You use collocations accurately, such as 'growing influence' and 'excessive photography.' While the vocabulary is precise and fits the context well, incorporating a few more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions could elevate the response further. Overall, the lexical range is sufficient to convey your ideas with clarity and precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your grammar is highly accurate, with a wide range of complex structures used correctly. You successfully employ subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Although taking pictures can help preserve memories...') and relative clauses to add complexity to your sentences. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, reflecting a high level of control. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a sophisticated grasp of English syntax.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.