Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · 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 8.0)

Nowadays, an increasing number of people visit famous tourist attractions mainly to take photographs of themselves rather than to appreciate the places they are visiting. This trend is largely influenced by social media and the desire to share personal experiences online. In my opinion, this is generally a negative development because it can reduce the real value of travelling.

One major reason for this trend is the popularity of social media platforms. Many people regularly post pictures of their holidays to show their friends and followers where they have been. In some cases, taking an attractive photograph becomes more important than actually experiencing the destination. Moreover, people may feel pressure to follow online trends and visit the same locations that they have seen on social media. For example, tourists may spend considerable time taking the perfect picture at a famous monument without learning anything about its history or cultural significance.

I believe this trend has several negative consequences. Firstly, people may miss the opportunity to truly enjoy and understand the places they visit. Travelling can broaden people's knowledge of different cultures, traditions and lifestyles, but this benefit is reduced when visitors focus mainly on their phones and cameras. Secondly, popular photography spots can become overcrowded because large numbers of tourists want to take similar pictures. This can negatively affect both local residents and other visitors.

However, taking photographs is not necessarily harmful. Pictures can preserve valuable memories and allow people to share their experiences with family and friends. The problem arises when photography becomes the main purpose of travelling rather than a way of remembering the experience.

In conclusion, social media and the desire for online attention are major reasons why people increasingly focus on taking photographs at famous places. Although photography is an important way to preserve memories, I consider this trend largely negative when people fail to appreciate the culture, history and beauty of 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, specifically citing the influence of social media and the desire for online validation. Your position that this is a negative development is maintained consistently throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the discussion on how this behavior detracts from the cultural and historical appreciation of travel. You also provide a balanced view by acknowledging the role of photography in memory preservation, which adds depth to your argument. The response is well-structured and directly answers both the 'why' and the 'positive/negative' components of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the reasons for the trend and the consequences is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Moreover', 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'However', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the topic. The referencing is clear throughout, and the overall structure is coherent, making the essay easy to follow and logically sound.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'cultural significance', 'broaden people's knowledge', and 'preserve valuable memories' are used accurately and appropriately. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it occasionally leans towards common usage. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations related to the impact of digital culture on tourism. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task, and there are no errors in word choice that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good command of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as the conditional structure in the final paragraph: 'The problem arises when photography becomes the main purpose of travelling rather than a way of remembering the experience.' Punctuation is accurate, and the sentence construction is generally error-free. The majority of your sentences are well-formed, and there is a good variety of complex structures used to express your ideas. The control over grammar is consistent throughout the piece.

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