Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-11
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 6.5)
Photographs has become increasingly common in today's digital age, with numerous people visiting to well-known places. People's primary intension is to take photographs not to appreciate the place they visit. This trend can lead to the influence of social media and the desire to create an impressive online image. In my opinion, this is largely a negative development, although it can have a few positive aspects.
One of the main reasons for this phenomenon is the growing influence of social networking platforms. Websites and applications such as Instagram and Facebook encourage users to share photographs of their daily lives and travels. As a result, visiting a famous landmark can become a way of gaining attention, likes and social recognition.
Another factor is the desire to capture and display personal personal experience. Taking photographs is an easy way to preserve memories and share them with friends and relatives. However, when taking pictures becomes the primary intension of a trip, tourists may fail to experience the culture, traditions and natural beauty of the destination.
Furthermore, I believe this is a negative trend because it can make travel superficial and less meaningful. Tourists who are constantly focused on taking photographs may overlook important cultural experiences and behave disrespectfully at certain historical or religious sites. Nevertheless, photography itself is not harmful and can encourage people to travel and discover new places.
In conclusion, the popularity of social media and desire for online recognition are the major reason why people increasingly photograph themselves at famous destinations. Although taking pictures can preserve memories and encourage tourism.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, identifying reasons for the trend (social media influence, memory preservation) and providing a clear opinion on its negative impact. The ideas are relevant and generally well-supported. However, the conclusion is incomplete, as the final sentence is a fragment that fails to fully summarize the argument or provide a final thought. To reach a higher band, ensure that all paragraphs, including the conclusion, are fully developed and grammatically complete. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the arguments are logically presented.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore,' 'However,' and 'As a result' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. While the progression of ideas is clear, the final sentence of the essay is a fragment, which slightly disrupts the overall flow and cohesion of the conclusion. Overall, the structure is sound and supports the development of the topic.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The vocabulary is generally appropriate and sufficient for the task. You use terms like 'phenomenon,' 'superficial,' and 'recognition' effectively. There are some minor issues, such as the repetition of 'intension' (which should be 'intention') and the redundant phrase 'personal personal experience.' The range of vocabulary is adequate to convey your meaning clearly, but it lacks the sophistication or precision required for higher bands. Focusing on more varied collocations and avoiding repetitive phrasing will help improve your score in this area.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'Photographs has become' (subject-verb agreement) and the incomplete sentence in the conclusion. While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. You show an ability to use complex structures, but accuracy needs to be improved. Proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and ensuring all sentences have a clear subject and predicate will significantly enhance your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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