Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-10-19

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 5.5)

In the modern era, some people believe that fictional violence portrayed on television is the least harmful form of entertainment. However, others believe that it increases violent behaviour in people. In the next paragraph, I will discuss both views and share my personal point of view.

On the one hand, many people consider violence in films and television programmes to be harmless entertainment. They believe that fictional violence in movies and television shows provides a different experience and a sense of excitement and adventure that people cannot experience in real life. For example, many action movies often have fighting scenes and dangerous scenes that make movies more interesting and eye-catching. But people also do not try to do these scenes because they already know about the consequences of these dangerous scenes. Furthermore, fictional violence can sometimes teach viewers about the consequences of crime and aggression, particularly when the characters are punished for their actions.

On the other hand,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response introduces the two positions and develops the harmless-entertainment view with relevant points: fictional scenes can offer excitement, viewers understand their consequences, and stories may show crime being punished. However, the task asks you to discuss both views and give your own opinion, and the response stops immediately after “On the other hand,”. Consequently, the opposing argument and your personal position are absent, so the task is addressed only minimally. The response also does not meet the stated 250-word minimum, which limits the opportunity to explain and support ideas. To improve, complete both sides of the discussion, state your view clearly, and add specific explanations or examples for each main point.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

There is a recognisable structure: an introductory paragraph is followed by a paragraph beginning “On the one hand,” and the contrastive phrase “On the other hand” signals the next section. Within the completed paragraph, ideas progress from entertainment value to viewers’ awareness of consequences and then to a possible educational effect. However, the response ends at the transition to the opposing view, leaving the overall progression incomplete and preventing a balanced discussion. The introduction’s “In the next paragraph” is also a somewhat mechanical signpost rather than a clear statement of the essay’s direction. Develop the second side and conclusion, and use links that show how each point relates to the argument rather than relying mainly on formulaic transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for communicating the points that are included, with relevant terms such as “fictional violence,” “sense of excitement and adventure,” “consequences,” and “crime and aggression.” There is also some variation in referring to the medium, including “films,” “television programmes,” “movies,” and “television shows.” However, several expressions are repetitive or imprecise, particularly the repeated use of “scenes” and “interesting.” “The least harmful form of entertainment” is stronger than the prompt’s claim that it is harmless and may unintentionally alter the meaning. Aim for more precise collocations and a wider range of terms for effects on viewers, such as “desensitise” or “imitate,” while ensuring the wording accurately reflects your intended argument.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The response shows a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, and most sentences are clear. For example, “They believe that fictional violence … provides a different experience … that people cannot experience in real life” uses a subordinate clause effectively, while “particularly when the characters are punished for their actions” adds a further dependent clause. Sentence boundaries and punctuation are generally controlled. Some phrasing is awkward, as in “But people also do not try to do these scenes,” and the opening “In the next paragraph” does not fit the essay’s multi-paragraph structure particularly well. These issues do not prevent understanding. To demonstrate more range and control, complete the argument using varied complex structures and check that clauses express the intended relationship clearly.

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