Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-30

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)

In modern society, high-profile figures such as actors, musicians, and athletes are constantly pursued by professional photographers wherever they go. While some argue that this intense media coverage satisfies legitimate public interest, others contend that constantly following celebrities is an invasive and unacceptable practice. In my opinion, although media interest is an inevitable byproduct of fame, relentless photographic tracking crosses ethical boundaries and infringes on basic human rights to privacy.

Proponents of constant media coverage argue that famous individuals voluntarily enter the public eye, thereby accepting the public’s desire to stay informed about their lives. Celebrities often build their wealth, status, and careers on public visibility and fan support. Consequently, photojournalism serves as a crucial bridge connecting stars with their audience. Furthermore, candid photojournalism offers transparency, showing influential figures in authentic, real-life settings rather than carefully curated public relations appearances. For many fans, staying updated through these images is a harmless form of entertainment and connection.

On the other hand, critics rightly point out that constant surveillance by paparazzi inflicts severe emotional, mental, and safety risks on celebrities. Famous people, despite their status, remain human beings who deserve personal space, safety, and psychological well-being. The aggressive pursuit by photographers can lead to dangerous situations, such as high-speed car chases or physical altercations, while also causing severe stress, anxiety, and paranoia. Moreover, when photographers intrude into personal moments involving celebrities' children and families, it violates fundamental rights to privacy and safety without any public benefit.

In conclusion, while it is understandable that the public naturally seeks insights into the lives of public figures, this interest should never justify relentless harassment or invasion of privacy. A reasonable balance must be maintained through stricter regulations on paparazzi practices, ensuring that journalism remains respectful without compromising the safety and dignity of individuals.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views on celebrity photography and clearly stating a personal position. The introduction establishes a well-supported stance that relentless photographic tracking violates privacy. The body paragraphs effectively explore both sides of the argument: the first acknowledges the public's desire for transparency and connection with public figures, while the second highlights the emotional, mental, and physical risks posed by aggressive paparazzi. The ideas are thoroughly developed and supported with relevant examples, such as high-speed car chases and the intrusion into family moments. The writer maintains a clear position throughout, fulfilling all requirements of the band descriptors for a strong performance.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay displays a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from the introduction to the two opposing views and concluding with a balanced summary. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and appropriately without being obtrusive, with transitional phrases like 'Proponents of', 'Furthermore', and 'On the other hand' guiding the reader seamlessly through the arguments. Paragraphing is used skillfully and serves to divide the distinct themes of the essay effectively. Referencing and substitution are handled with a high degree of control.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an IELTS General Task 2 response. Less common lexical items are used skillfully, such as 'high-profile figures', 'inevitable byproduct', 'candid photojournalism', and 'fundamental rights'. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate and natural, contributing to the professional tone of the essay. There are only occasional minor inaccuracies, but these do not impede communication in any way. The vocabulary choices effectively convey nuanced arguments regarding ethics and public interest.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The writer showcases a wide range of complex sentence structures with a high level of accuracy. Sentences are varied in length and structure, incorporating participial phrases, conditional clauses, and multi-clause complex sentences effectively (e.g., 'While some argue that this intense media coverage satisfies legitimate public interest, others contend that...'). The majority of sentences are completely error-free, and punctuation is handled with strong control. Grammar and structural slips are extremely rare and do not interfere with the clarity or flow of the message, demonstrating solid upper-intermediate to advanced proficiency.

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