Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-01

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 8.0)

Nowadays, an increasing number of people visit famous tourist attractions primarily to take photographs of themselves rather than to appreciate the places they have travelled to see. This trend is largely driven by social media and the desire to create an impressive online image. In my view, although taking photographs can help people preserve memories, this is predominantly a negative development because it can reduce the value of travel and encourage superficial experiences.

One major reason for this behaviour is the growing influence of social networking platforms. Websites such as Instagram and Facebook have made photographs an important means of presenting one’s lifestyle to others. Consequently, people may feel pressure to prove that they have visited popular destinations by posting attractive pictures online. In addition, taking a photograph has become extremely convenient because of smartphones and selfie cameras. Rather than spending time observing historical buildings, natural scenery or local culture, some tourists focus on finding the best angle and taking pictures that will attract attention. This behaviour is particularly common among younger travellers, for whom online recognition can sometimes be more important than the experience itself.

I believe this is mainly a negative trend. The primary disadvantage is that tourists may fail to understand or appreciate the cultural and historical significance of the places they visit. For example, someone visiting a historic monument may spend more time posing for photographs than learning about its history. Furthermore, constantly concentrating on taking pictures can prevent people from being fully present and creating genuine memories. Although photography itself is not harmful, it becomes problematic when documenting a trip is more important than experiencing it.

In conclusion, the growing tendency to prioritise taking photographs over appreciating tourist destinations is mainly the result of social media and the desire for online recognition. While photography can preserve memories, I believe travellers should focus more on experiencing and understanding the places they visit than on displaying them online.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly identify the reasons for the trend, specifically citing the influence of social media and the convenience of modern technology. Your position regarding the negative nature of this trend is consistent and well-supported throughout the essay. The ideas are extended with relevant examples, such as the comparison between posing for photos and learning about historical monuments. The essay is well-balanced, and the conclusion effectively summarises your main arguments. To reach a higher band, you could further explore the psychological motivations behind this behaviour, such as the human need for social validation, to add even more depth to your analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the causes of the trend and your personal opinion is smooth. You make effective use of cohesive devices such as 'Consequently', 'In addition', and 'Furthermore' to link your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural throughout the text. The structure is highly effective and supports the overall clarity of your argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary that allows for precision and flexibility. Phrases such as 'predominantly a negative development', 'cultural and historical significance', and 'online recognition' are used accurately and appropriately. There is a good awareness of collocation, and the language is natural throughout. While the vocabulary is effective and fits the task well, incorporating a few more sophisticated, less common lexical items or idiomatic expressions could elevate the response to a higher band. Overall, the vocabulary is precise and contributes to a professional tone.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as the use of conditional and concessive clauses (e.g., 'Although photography itself is not harmful, it becomes problematic...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over grammar and punctuation is strong. There are no significant errors that impede communication. To achieve a higher score, you could experiment with a wider range of sentence structures, such as more frequent use of passive voice or inverted structures, to demonstrate even greater flexibility in your writing.

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