Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-01

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Nowadays famous people are photographed by professional photographers everywhere they go. Some people say this is a good thing because the public are interested in their lives. Other people think that photographers are wrong to follow famous people.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 8.5)

In recent years, famous people have been photographed almost everywhere they go. While some individuals believe that this is acceptable because celebrities attract public interest, others argue that photographers should not constantly follow them. This essay will discuss both views before explaining my opinion

On the one hand, many people support the practice of photographing famous individuals because they are public figures whose lives attract considerable attention. Fans are often interested in learning about the lifestyles, fashion choices and daily activities of actors, musicians and athletes. As a result, photographs of Celebes generate significant revenue for newspapers, magazines, and online media platforms. Furthermore, media exposure can benefit celebrities themselves by helping them maintain their popularity and promote their work.

On the other hand, constantly following famous people can be considered an invasion of privacy. Although celebrities choose careers that place them in the public eye, this does not mean they should be monitored every moment of their lives. Persistent attention from photographers may cause stress, anxiety, and a loss of personal freedom. In some cases, paparazzi have crossed ethical boundaries by taking photos of celebrities during private family occasions or while they are on vacation. Such behaviour can negatively affect not only famous individuals but also their family members, who did not choose a public lifestyle.

In my opinion, while the media have the right to report on public figures, there should be clear limits on how far photographers can go. Celebrities should be photographed at public events, but their private lives should be respected.

In conclusion, although public interest in celebrities creates demand for photographs, I believe that following famous people everywhere is excessive and violates their right to privacy.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both sides of the argument and provided a personal opinion in the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the distinction between public interest and the ethical boundaries of privacy. The arguments are logical and supported by relevant reasoning. To reach a higher band, you could provide a more specific real-world example, such as a reference to a particular incident or a specific type of media outlet, to further illustrate your points. Overall, the position is consistent and the task is fully addressed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two opposing views is handled effectively using cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. The conclusion successfully synthesizes the main points. The use of referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate. The flow is smooth, and the reader is guided through your argument without difficulty. To improve further, ensure that the link between sentences is always varied, avoiding repetitive structures at the start of sentences.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases such as 'ethical boundaries', 'public figures', and 'media exposure' are used appropriately. There is a minor spelling error ('Celebes' instead of 'celebrities'), which is a slip that does not impede communication. You show an awareness of style and collocation, which is appropriate for an academic task. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items, such as 'intrusive', 'scrutiny', or 'sensationalism', to demonstrate a wider and more flexible range of vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as the use of 'While' and 'Although' clauses to contrast ideas. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control of grammar and punctuation is strong. There are no significant errors that impede communication. The sentence structures are varied, and you maintain a formal tone throughout. To reach the highest band, ensure that you maintain this level of accuracy consistently and perhaps experiment with more advanced grammatical structures, such as inversion or conditional sentences, to show full flexibility.

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