Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-07-31

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people think that the fictional violence portrayed on television is harmless entertainment. Others disagree and think that it encourages violent behaviour.

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 8.5)

It is often argued that fictional violence shown on television is merely a form of entertainment, while others believe that it encourages aggressive behaviour among viewers. This essay will discuss both perspectives before explaining why I believe violent television programmes can negatively influence certain individuals, particularly young people.

On the one hand, many people consider fictional violence to be harmless because viewers generally understand that it is not real. Action films, crime dramas and superhero movies are produced primarily for entertainment, and most adults are able to distinguish fiction from reality. Furthermore, watching such programmes may even serve as a way to relieve stress and excitement without causing any real harm. Therefore, supporters argue that television violence does not directly lead to criminal or aggressive behaviour.

On the other hand, critics believe that repeated exposure to violent content can encourage aggression, especially among children and teenagers. Young viewers may imitate violent actions because they are still developing their ability to distinguish acceptable behaviour from harmful conduct. Moreover, constant exposure to violence may gradually desensitise people, making them less sensitive to the consequences of aggressive acts. As a result, violent behaviour may become normalised in society.

In my opinion, although fictional violence is unlikely to influence mature adults significantly, it can have a harmful effect on children and vulnerable individuals. For this reason, broadcasters should apply stricter age restrictions and parents should carefully monitor the programmes their children watch.

In conclusion, while some people regard fictional violence on television as harmless entertainment, I believe that excessive exposure can encourage violent behaviour among certain groups, particularly young audiences. Therefore, appropriate supervision and content regulation are essential to minimise its negative impact.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both perspectives—the view that television violence is harmless entertainment and the counter-argument that it encourages aggression—and provided a clear personal opinion. Your ideas are well-developed, particularly the distinction between mature adults and vulnerable young viewers. The essay maintains a consistent position throughout, and the conclusion effectively synthesises the arguments presented. The structure is logical, and the content is relevant and well-supported with clear reasoning, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two opposing views is smooth, facilitated by effective cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Furthermore'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural, making the text easy to follow. The use of cohesive devices is skilful and unobtrusive, contributing to the overall coherence of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases such as 'repeated exposure', 'normalised in society', and 'vulnerable individuals' show a level of precision and sophistication. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, it could be further elevated by incorporating more idiomatic or less common collocations to reach the highest band. However, the current range is sufficient to convey your ideas clearly and effectively without any noticeable errors in word choice or spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional and concessive clauses (e.g., 'although fictional violence is unlikely to influence... it can have a harmful effect'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no significant errors that impede communication. To move to a higher band, ensure you continue to experiment with a wider variety of complex grammatical forms, though your current control is already very solid and reliable.

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