Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-08-24

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 7.5)

It is often argued that the fictional violence portrayed on television is simply a harmless form of entertainment, whereas others believe that repeated exposure to such content can encourage violent behaviour. While both perspectives have some merit, I believe that fictional violence does not, in itself, make most viewers violent, although its potential influence on impressionable individuals should not be dismissed.

On the one hand, fictional violence is widely regarded as a legitimate form of entertainment because viewers generally understand the distinction between a scripted narrative and reality. Violent scenes in action films and television dramas are often used to create suspense, excitement and emotional engagement rather than to promote aggression. For instance, Marvel films frequently depict highly exaggerated battles and conflicts, yet audiences typically interpret these scenes as part of an imaginary storyline. The fact that viewers enjoy such content does not mean that they intend to replicate the behaviour of fictional characters in their own lives. In this respect, fictional violence can be viewed in much the same way as other dramatic elements that are designed primarily to entertain.

On the other hand, there is a reasonable argument that violent media can have adverse effects, particularly on children and other impressionable viewers. Young people may have greater difficulty distinguishing between fictional behaviour and acceptable conduct in reality, and repeated exposure could potentially make aggression appear more normal or acceptable. For example, *Crime Patrol* is primarily produced to raise public awareness of criminal activities and their consequences. Nevertheless, some viewers could misuse the information presented in such programmes by learning from the methods depicted and applying them for harmful purposes. This illustrates that media content can occasionally be interpreted or used in unintended ways. However, it would be an oversimplification to attribute criminal behaviour solely to television, since factors such as family environment, education, peer influence and individual personality are also highly significant.

In conclusion, although fictional violence may exert some negative influence on particularly impressionable viewers, I believe that it is predominantly a form of entertainment and is unlikely to cause violent behaviour among most people. Viewers are generally capable of distinguishing fictional portrayals from reality, and television violence should therefore not be regarded as a direct cause of aggression in the general population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both perspectives—the view that fictional violence is harmless entertainment and the counter-argument regarding its potential to encourage aggression. Your own position is established in the introduction and maintained consistently throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the distinction between fictional narratives and reality, and the nuanced acknowledgement that while media is not a direct cause of violence, it may impact vulnerable individuals. The arguments are supported by relevant examples, such as the mention of Marvel films and the programme 'Crime Patrol', which adds depth to your analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central focus, and the transition between the two opposing viewpoints is smooth, facilitated by effective cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Nevertheless'. The use of referencing is precise, and the paragraphing is logical, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a concise conclusion. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between sentences is consistently clear, making the argument easy to follow from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision and natural control. Phrases such as 'impressionable individuals', 'scripted narrative', 'adverse effects', and 'over-simplification' show a high level of lexical sophistication. The collocations are generally accurate, and you avoid repetitive language. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication. The vocabulary is well-suited to the academic tone of the task, contributing to a professional and persuasive argument throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and varied sentence beginnings. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. You use modal verbs effectively to express nuance, such as 'could potentially make' and 'should therefore not be regarded'. There are no significant grammatical errors, and the few minor slips that might occur are non-systematic and do not affect the clarity of your writing. Your control over tense and agreement is consistently strong.

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