Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-26

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 8.0)

Nowadays, famous people are often photographed by professional photographers wherever they go. While some believe this is acceptable because the public is interested in celebrities' lives, others consider it an invasion of privacy. In my opinion, although public interest is understandable, photographers should respect celebrities' personal boundaries.

On the one hand, celebrity photography can satisfy people's curiosity and provide entertainment. Famous actors, singers and athletes attract considerable attention, so the public naturally wants to know about their activities and lifestyles. In addition, newspapers, magazines and online platforms often rely on celebrity photographs to attract readers and generate revenue. Therefore, photographers are partly responding to genuine public demand.

On the other hand, constantly following famous people can be intrusive and stressful. Being well-known does not mean that individuals lose their right to privacy. Celebrities may want to spend time with their families or carry out ordinary activities without being photographed. Furthermore, aggressive photographers can sometimes create dangerous situations by following celebrities closely or attempting to obtain exclusive pictures. Such behaviour cannot be justified simply because people are interested in their lives.

I believe there should be a distinction between legitimate photography and harassment. Photographers should be allowed to take pictures at public events where celebrities willingly appear before the media. However, following them into private places or photographing them during personal family time should be considered inappropriate.

In conclusion, although photographing famous people can satisfy public curiosity and benefit the media industry, I believe their privacy should also be respected. Professional photographers should therefore avoid unnecessarily interfering with celebrities' personal lives.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both perspectives—the public interest in celebrity lives and the ethical concerns regarding privacy—and provided a well-reasoned personal opinion. The ideas are logically developed, with the first body paragraph explaining the media and public demand, and the second focusing on the ethical implications of intrusive photography. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the arguments presented. To reach a higher band, you could provide a more specific real-world example to illustrate the dangers of aggressive paparazzi, which would further strengthen the depth of your analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is well-organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two opposing views is handled smoothly using cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. Referencing is clear, and the use of linking words like 'In addition', 'Furthermore', and 'Therefore' helps to guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the response. The structure is balanced and easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for the topic, such as 'invasion of privacy', 'legitimate photography', 'harassment', and 'generate revenue'. The word choice is generally precise and natural. While the vocabulary is effective, it is mostly standard; incorporating a few more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations related to media ethics or public figures could elevate the lexical profile. However, the current range is sufficient to convey your ideas with precision and clarity, and there are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling 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-like structure in 'If... then' scenarios or the use of subordinate clauses in your introduction and conclusion. The grammar is accurate, with very few, if any, errors. Punctuation is used correctly to support the flow of your arguments. To achieve a higher score, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex grammatical forms, such as inversion or more advanced passive constructions, to demonstrate even greater flexibility in your writing.

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