Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-12

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 7.5)

Nowadays, famous people are frequently photographed by professional photographers wherever they go. Some individuals believe that this is acceptable because the public is interested in celebrities' lives. While others argue that following them is an invasion of privacy. This essay will discuss both views before presenting my opinion.

On the one hand, there several reasons why people support photographer taking photographs of famous people. Firstly, celebrities attract considerable public attention, and many people enjoy knowing about their lifestyles, activities and personal interests. Photographs can provide entertainment and information through newspapers, magazines and social media. Secondly, famous people often earn money and build their careers partly because of their public image. For example, actors and singers may benefit from media coverage because it can increase their popularity and promote their latest films, songs and other projects. Hence, some people believe that photographers are simply meeting the public's demand for information.

On the other hand, constantly following celebrities can have negative consequences. Famous people are ordinary human beings who need personal space and time away from their professional lives. Being photographed without permission, especially, when they are spending time with family or friends, can make them feel uncomfortable and stressed. In some situations, aggressive photographers may follow celebrities closely or wait outside their homes, which can be dangerous. For instance, Prince Diana's death was partially caused by paparazzi who dangerously followed her while she was traveling with her boy friend.

In my opinion, although the public has a legitimate interest in famous people, photographers should respect their privacy. Taking photographs at public events is reasonable, but following celebrities in their private lives unacceptable. There should be clear boundaries between public interest and personal privacy.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both perspectives and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the distinction between public interest and the right to privacy. The use of the example regarding Princess Diana effectively supports the argument against intrusive photography. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion provides a balanced summary. To reach a higher band, the student could further elaborate on the 'public interest' aspect by discussing the potential for media accountability or the ethical responsibilities of photographers, which would add more depth to the analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs presenting opposing views, and a concluding paragraph. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate distinct ideas. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'In my opinion' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the argument. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow. While the transition between the second and third paragraphs is clear, a more sophisticated use of linking phrases could further enhance the flow, but the current structure is already quite effective and coherent.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses relevant terms such as 'media coverage', 'public image', 'legitimate interest', and 'invasion of privacy'. There is a good attempt to use less common vocabulary, and the meaning is consistently clear. There are minor issues, such as 'photographer taking' instead of 'photographers taking' and 'boy friend' which should be one word. However, these do not impede communication. To improve, the student should focus on more precise collocations and ensure consistent accuracy in word forms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the meaning is always clear. There are a few minor grammatical slips, such as 'there several reasons' (missing 'are') and 'lives. While others argue' (a sentence fragment). Despite these occasional errors, the control of grammar is generally strong. The punctuation is mostly accurate, and the use of complex structures, such as conditional or concessive clauses, is handled well. The errors present are non-systematic and do not interfere with the reader's understanding of the arguments.

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