Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-29

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)

The portrayal of violence in fictional television programmes has long been a subject of debate. While some people regard it as nothing more than harmless entertainment, others contend that repeated exposure to violent content can encourage aggressive behaviour. Although fictional violence does not inevitably make viewers violent, I believe that excessive exposure, particularly among children and adolescents, can contribute to unhealthy attitudes towards aggression.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why fictional violence may be considered harmless. Firstly, most viewers are capable of distinguishing between fiction and reality. A person who watches an action series understands that the characters, conflicts and consequences are largely constructed for entertainment. Furthermore, violent scenes can serve legitimate artistic purposes, such as portraying the consequences of crime, creating suspense or developing a character's personality. For example, a crime drama may depict violence not to glorify it, but to demonstrate how criminal behaviour damages individuals and families. Therefore, it would be simplistic to assume that watching such programmes automatically results in violent conduct.

On the other hand, repeated exposure to televised violence may influence the way some viewers perceive aggression. This concern is particularly relevant to children, who may have less developed abilities to evaluate fictional behaviour critically. If violent characters are consistently portrayed as powerful, successful or admirable, young viewers may gradually perceive aggression as an acceptable method of solving conflicts. Moreover, frequent exposure may reduce sensitivity to the suffering of others. For instance, a child who regularly watches characters resolve disagreements through physical force could begin to imitate such behaviour when dealing with conflicts at school.

In my opinion, television violence should not be regarded as either completely harmless or directly responsible for violent behaviour. Its influence depends on factors such as the viewer's age, personality, family environment and the context in which violence is presented. Consequently, parents and broadcasters should encourage responsible viewing, particularly for younger audiences, through age restrictions and appropriate supervision.

In conclusion, fictional violence can provide legitimate entertainment and artistic value, and most viewers do not become violent simply by watching it. Nevertheless, excessive or glorified violence may negatively influence susceptible viewers, especially children. For this reason, responsible consumption and appropriate regulation are justified.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The student has successfully addressed all parts of the prompt, discussing both the view that fictional violence is harmless entertainment and the counter-view that it encourages violent behaviour, while clearly articulating a nuanced personal opinion. The position is maintained logically throughout the essay. Ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the distinction between artistic purpose and glorification of crime, as well as the impact on children and young viewers. The arguments are extended appropriately without straying off-topic. Based on the band descriptors, this response fully covers all parts of the task with well-developed ideas, meeting the criteria for a high band.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

Ideas are logically sequenced, guiding the reader smoothly from the introduction through the two body paragraphs representing opposing views, to a balanced synthesis and a clear conclusion. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each body paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the prompt. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Furthermore', and 'Consequently' are managed well and used naturally to establish relationships between ideas. Referencing and substitution are clear throughout the text, ensuring that the progression of thought is seamless.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic discussion on media and behaviour. Less common lexical items are used skilfully, including expressions like 'repeated exposure', 'distinguishing between fiction and reality', 'artistic purposes', and 'susceptible viewers'. Word choice and collocations are generally precise, with only occasional minor imperfections. Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout the essay, facilitating clear and sophisticated communication of complex arguments.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The response features a wide range of complex grammatical structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, and complex forms are handled with confidence, as seen in clauses such as 'If violent characters are consistently portrayed as powerful, successful or admirable, young viewers may gradually perceive aggression as an acceptable method...' Punctuation and sentence boundaries are well controlled. Minor slips are very rare, demonstrating a strong command of grammar appropriate for a high band score.

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