Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-23

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 7.0)

In today’s media-driven society, celebrities are frequently pursued by professional photographers who capture their activities wherever they go. While some people regard this as acceptable because the public is curious about famous individuals, others argue that such intrusive behaviour is unjustifiable. This essay will discuss both perspectives before explaining why I believe celebrities deserve a reasonable degree of privacy.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why people support extensive media coverage of public figures. Firstly, celebrities voluntarily live in the public eye, and their lifestyles naturally attract considerable attention. Photographs can satisfy the public’s curiosity and provide entertainment through newspapers, magazines and online platforms. Furthermore, some famous people use media exposure to promote films, businesses, charitable campaigns or social causes. Consequently, photographers can play a role in keeping the public informed about activities that have wider social or commercial significance.

On the other hand, constantly photographing celebrities can seriously intrude upon their personal lives. Famous individuals may need private time with family and friends without being followed or photographed. Moreover, persistent attention can create unnecessary stress and may prevent them from enjoying ordinary activities. However, this does not mean that all celebrity photography is inappropriate. Photographs taken at public events or with consent are generally reasonable. Nevertheless, following someone relentlessly in private circumstances crosses an important ethical boundary.

In my opinion, public interest does not automatically justify invading a person’s privacy. Celebrities should accept a certain level of public attention; nevertheless, photographers should respect clear personal boundaries. A balanced approach would allow legitimate journalism while protecting individuals from unnecessary intrusion.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views on celebrity photography and presenting a clear, well-supported personal opinion throughout the response. In the introduction, the writer outlines the two opposing perspectives and states their position. Body paragraph one thoroughly examines the arguments in favour of celebrity photography, noting public curiosity and promotional benefits. Body paragraph two explores the counter-arguments regarding intrusion into personal lives and ethical boundaries. The conclusion reinforces the writer's stance that public interest does not justify privacy invasion. Ideas are well-developed with relevant explanations and logical extensions, fulfilling the Band 7 and approaching Band 8 descriptors for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The response demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are coherently sequenced, starting with an introductory overview, moving through balanced body paragraphs, and finishing with a cohesive conclusion. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the prompt. Cohesive devices are employed naturally and flexibly, using transition signals such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Furthermore', and 'Consequently' to connect ideas smoothly without feeling mechanical. Referencing is consistently clear, ensuring the text is easy to follow from start to finish.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student displays a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suitable for a General Training Task 2 essay. Less common lexical items are used with a good awareness of style and collocation, such as 'media-driven society', 'intrusive behaviour', 'charitable campaigns', and 'commercial significance'. Word choices are generally precise and natural, contributing to effective communication. While there are no major spelling or word-choice errors, the vocabulary range sits comfortably at Band 7, as it occasionally relies on standard vocabulary where a more sophisticated or idiomatic phrase might elevate it to a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The writer demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures, successfully employing a variety of complex sentence forms alongside simple ones. Examples of complex structures include concessive clauses ('While some people regard this as acceptable because...') and conditional or participial elements. The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled accurately throughout. Minor slips do occur, but they are very occasional and do not impede communication in any way. The grammatical control easily satisfies the criteria for Band 7, pushing toward Band 8 due to the high frequency of error-free complex sentences.

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