Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

Nowadays, it is increasingly common for people to visit famous tourist attractions mainly to take photographs of themselves rather than to appreciate the places they have travelled to. This trend is largely driven by social media and the desire to share experiences online. In my opinion, this is a negative development because it can reduce people's appreciation of different cultures and turn meaningful travel experiences into a form of self-promotion.

One major reason for this trend is the influence of social media. Platforms such as Instagram and Facebook encourage users to share attractive photographs and receive likes, comments and attention from others. As a result, some people feel that taking a picture at a famous landmark is an important part of proving that they have visited it. In addition, modern smartphones and cameras make it extremely easy to take and immediately upload high-quality photographs. For example, tourists visiting places such as the Eiffel Tower or the Taj Mahal may spend more time finding the best angle for a selfie than learning about the history of these landmarks.

I believe this is mainly a negative trend. Travelling provides an opportunity to experience new cultures, understand history and appreciate the natural beauty of different places. However, if people focus primarily on taking photographs, they may miss these valuable experiences. Furthermore, excessive photography can sometimes disturb other visitors and create overcrowding at popular attractions. For instance, a person may visit a historical site but remember only the photographs they posted online rather than the information they learned or the experience they had.

That said, taking photographs is not necessarily harmful. Photos can help people preserve memories and share their travel experiences with friends and family. The problem arises when photography becomes more important than actually experiencing the destination.

In conclusion, the popularity of social media and the desire for online recognition are major reasons why people increasingly take photographs of themselves at famous places. Although photography can preserve memories, I believe the overall trend is negative when it prevents people from appreciating the places they visit.

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 (social media influence, validation, and technological ease) and provide a well-supported opinion on why it is a negative development. The ideas are extended with relevant examples, such as the mention of the Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal, which grounds your argument in reality. Your position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your main points. To reach the highest band, you could further explore the psychological aspect of 'FOMO' (fear of missing out) or the long-term impact on cultural heritage sites to add even more depth.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

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 your evaluation of it is smooth. You use a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'As a result', 'In addition', 'Furthermore', and 'That said', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The flow is natural, and the relationship between sentences is clear throughout the text, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the task. Phrases like 'self-promotion', 'online recognition', and 'preserve memories' are used accurately. The language is natural and conveys your meaning precisely. While the vocabulary is sufficient and accurate, it stays within a relatively standard range. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common idiomatic expressions related to the topic, such as 'superficial engagement' or 'the commodification of travel experiences', to show greater flexibility and precision in your lexical choices.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your writing displays a good command of grammatical structures. You successfully use a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the conditional structure 'if people focus primarily on taking photographs, they may miss these valuable experiences.' Punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free. To move toward a band 8 or 9, ensure you continue to vary your sentence structure even further, perhaps by incorporating more advanced passive constructions or inverted structures to demonstrate full flexibility.

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