Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-24

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)

Many famous people today are photographed by professional photographers wherever they go, and this constant attention has become a normal part of modern celebrity culture. While some argue that this is justified because the public is interested in celebrities’ lives, others believe that such behaviour is intrusive and unethical. Both perspectives deserve careful consideration.

On one hand, supporters of paparazzi photography claim that celebrities are public figures, and therefore their lives naturally attract public curiosity. Media outlets rely on such photographs to satisfy audience demand, and this interest often contributes to a celebrity’s fame and commercial success. In some cases, public events such as film premieres or press conferences involve an implicit level of consent, where being photographed is part of the professional environment. From this viewpoint, photographers are simply providing content that the public actively seeks.

On the other hand, critics argue that following famous people everywhere crosses important ethical boundaries. Research shows that paparazzi often operate in a legal grey area, pushing limits of privacy and sometimes causing distress or safety risks to celebrities and their families . In extreme cases, intrusive behaviour has led to dangerous situations, raising serious concerns about harassment and the violation of personal space. Moreover, fame does not mean that individuals have agreed to constant surveillance, especially in private or semi‑private settings. Many argue that everyone, regardless of status, deserves a basic level of dignity and personal freedom.

In my opinion, although public interest in celebrities is understandable, photographers should respect clear boundaries. Responsible media coverage is acceptable, but intrusive behaviour that invades privacy is not. Stricter regulations and ethical guidelines are necessary to ensure that celebrity photography remains balanced, safe, and respectful.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views on paparazzi photography and providing a clear, well-supported personal opinion. The introduction accurately frames the debate, and the body paragraphs logically explore the arguments for both sides. The first body paragraph explains why public curiosity and commercial demand justify the practice, mentioning film premieres and press conferences as examples. The second body paragraph outlines the counterarguments regarding privacy, safety risks, and harassment. The writer's position is clearly stated in the conclusion, advocating for balanced media coverage and ethical guidelines. The ideas are well-developed and sustained throughout the essay, demonstrating a strong understanding of the task requirements without any omissions or irrelevant digressions.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The response exhibits a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with an introductory overview, followed by individual body paragraphs dedicated to each viewpoint, and concluding with a synthesis and personal stance. Cohesive devices such as 'While some argue', 'On one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In my opinion' are used flexibly and appropriately to guide the reader through the argumentation. Paragraphing is fully logical and sufficient, ensuring that the transition between contrasting perspectives is smooth and easy to follow. Referencing and substitution are handled precisely, contributing to the overall coherence of the essay without any mechanical or awkward phrasing.

Lexical Resource: Band 8.0

The student demonstrates a wide and flexible lexical range appropriate for a Band 7.5 or 8.0 level. Less common and precise vocabulary items are used effectively throughout the text, including phrases such as 'celebrity culture', 'public curiosity', 'commercial success', 'legal grey area', and 'constant surveillance'. Word choice and collocations are generally natural and accurate, as seen in expressions like 'crosses important ethical boundaries' and 'basic level of dignity'. There are only rare minor inaccuracies, but overall the vocabulary allows the writer to convey precise meanings and nuanced arguments fluently. Spelling and word formation are entirely correct.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the writer demonstrates excellent control over subordination, relative clauses, and participial phrases, such as in 'While some argue that this is justified because the public is interested in celebrities’ lives...' and 'Research shows that paparazzi often operate in a legal grey area, pushing limits of privacy...'. Punctuation is handled well, and grammatical structures are varied without any noticeable strain or systematic errors. The minor slip involving a space before the comma in 'families .' does not detract from the overall high standard of grammatical control.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.