Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Summit Mastery · 2026-08-14

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries and contributes a great deal to economies around the world. However, the damage tourism can cause to local cultures and the environment is often ignored.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 7.5)

Tourism has rapidly expanded into a major global industry, offering significant economic benefits to countries worldwide. However, this growth often comes at a steep price, leading to cultural erosion and environmental degradation that are frequently overlooked. I strongly agree that the negative impacts of tourism on local communities and ecosystems are regularly ignored in pursuit of financial gain.

Economically, tourism drives infrastructural development, generates employment, and boosts national revenue. Nevertheless, the relentless influx of visitors frequently disrupts traditional ways of life. Local cultures are often commercialized to entertain tourists, turning sacred customs into mere performances and diluting authentic heritage. Moreover, overcrowding can lead to rising living costs, displacing residents and straining community cohesion.

Equally concerning is the environmental damage caused by uncontrolled tourism. Massive visitor traffic contributes heavily to carbon emissions from transportation, while tourist hotspots face severe resources depletion and pollution. Pristine landscapes, coral reefs, and wildlife habitats are frequently destroyed to construct hotels and facilities, prioritizing short term profit over long term ecological balance. For instance, many popular beach destinations experience severe marine pollution and plastic waste accumulation due to inadequate waste management systems unable to cope with peak season crowds.

Governments and businesses routinely downplay these collateral damages because the economic incentives are so substantial. Environmental regulations and cultural preservation initiatives are often sidelined or poorly enforced to avoid discouraging visitors and investors.

In conclusion, while tourism undoubtedly serves as a vital economic engine, its detrimental effects on local cultures and ecosystems cannot be disregarded. Sustainable management practices and stricter environmental guidelines must be implemented to ensure that economic growth does not destroy the very heritage and environment that attracts travelers in the first place.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas regarding cultural erosion and environmental degradation are well-developed with specific examples, such as the mention of plastic waste and the commercialization of sacred customs. The argument is balanced by acknowledging the economic benefits of tourism before pivoting to the negative impacts, which demonstrates a sophisticated approach to the task. The conclusion effectively summarizes the main points and provides a forward-looking suggestion, meeting all requirements for a high-band response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, moving from economic benefits to cultural impacts, then environmental concerns, and finally a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'Nevertheless', 'Equally concerning', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is skillful, and the transition between ideas is smooth. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive usage, and the overall structure supports the development of your argument perfectly.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary. Phrases such as 'cultural erosion', 'relentless influx', 'collateral damages', and 'ecological balance' show a strong command of topic-specific language. The word choices are precise and natural, contributing to the academic tone of the essay. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is used with a high degree of sophistication throughout the text. This level of lexical control is consistent with a high-band performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and varied clause types. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. You use a mix of simple and complex forms effectively to convey your ideas. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and the overall accuracy is very high. The sentence construction is varied, which keeps the writing engaging and professional.

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