Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-01
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 7.0)
The portrayal of violence in television programmes and films has become increasingly common. While some people consider fictional violence to be nothing more than a form of harmless entertainment, others argue that it can influence viewers and encourage aggressive behaviour.
On the one hand, fictional violence can be considered harmless entertainment because viewers generally understand that what they see on television is not real. Many action films, superhero movies and crime dramas contain violent scenes primarily to create excitement, suspense and entertainment. For example, audiences can watch a superhero defeating a villain without necessarily believing that violence is an appropriate way to solve real-life problems. Furthermore, television provides a controlled environment in which people can experience fear or excitement without actually being exposed to physical danger. Therefore, for mature viewers who can differentiate between fiction and reality, violent entertainment may have little or no harmful effect.
On the other hand, there is a concern that frequent exposure to violent content can encourage aggressive behaviour, particularly among children and adolescents. Young viewers may not always have the maturity to understand the difference between fictional behaviour and acceptable behaviour in real life. If violent characters are repeatedly portrayed as powerful and successful children may begin to see aggression as an effective way of dealing with conflicts. For instance, a child who regularly watches programmes in which characters solve problems by fighting may have the same behaviour at school. Moreover, repeated exposure to violence can make aggressive actions appear normal and reduce a person's sensitivity towards the suffering of others.
In my opinion, although fictional violence can be a harmless form of entertainment for responsible adults, its potential influence on young viewers should not be ignored. The impact largely depends on the age of the viewer and how that violence is presented.
In conclusion, fictional violence can provide excitement and entertainment without causing harm to many viewers. However, excessive exposure, especially among children, may normalise aggression and encourage violent behaviour.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
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 that it encourages aggression—while providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the distinction between mature viewers and children. The arguments are supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of superhero movies and the potential impact on school-aged children. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesises the main points. To reach a higher band, you could further extend the discussion by briefly mentioning how modern media platforms or parental controls might mitigate these risks.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the two opposing views is smooth, using effective signposting such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. Cohesive devices are used naturally and accurately throughout the text (e.g., 'Furthermore', 'Moreover', 'In conclusion'). The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the argument. Referencing is precise, and the flow of information is easy to follow, making the essay highly readable and well-structured.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'fictional violence', 'repeated exposure', 'differentiate between fiction and reality', and 'reduce a person's sensitivity' are used accurately. There is an awareness of style and collocation, and the vocabulary is appropriate for an academic context. While the range is good, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common lexical items (such as 'desensitisation' or 'proclivity') would elevate the response further. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences ('If violent characters are repeatedly portrayed...') and subordinate clauses ('While some people consider...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is strong. You use a mix of simple and complex forms effectively to convey your arguments. While the grammar is generally accurate, there is a minor punctuation error in the third paragraph: '...successful children may begin...' requires a comma after 'successful'. Overall, the grammatical control is consistent and supports clear communication.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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