Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-08-02

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Concern for the environment is growing rapidly and more and more people are choosing to be 'eco-tourists' - travelling in responsible, environmentally-friendly ways. As a result, the eco-tourism industry is expanding.

To what extent do you think this is a positive trend?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 8.0)

In recent years, environmental awareness has increased significantly, encouraging more people to choose eco-tourism instead of conventional travel. This form of tourism aims to minimise environmental damage while supporting local communities. I strongly believe that the growth of eco-tourism is a highly positive development because it promotes environmental conservation and creates sustainable economic opportunities.

One of the main advantages of eco-tourism is that it helps protect natural habitats and wildlife. Unlike mass tourism, which often causes pollution, deforestation and overcrowding, eco-tourism encourages responsible travel practises, such as reducing waste, conserving water and respecting local ecosystems. For example, Costa rica has become a global leader in eco-friendly by protecting more than a quarter of its land as national parks and nature reserves. The income generated from environmetally responsible visitors has helped fund conservation projects while preserving the country's rich biodiversity.

Another important benefit is its positive impact on local economies. Eco-tourists often stay in locally owned accommodation, hire local guides and purchase traditional products, ensuring that tourism revenue directly benefits residents rather than large international companies. In Rwanda, for instance, mountain gorilla tourism has generated substantial income for nearby communities while providing financial support for wildlife protection. As a result, local people have stronger incentives to conserve endangered species instead of exploiting natural resources.

To conclude, I strongly believe that the expansion of eco-tourism is a positive trend. Its ability to protect the environment, pressure wildlife and improve local livelihoods clearly outweighs its potential drawbacks, provided that it is managed in a sustainable manner.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas regarding environmental conservation and economic benefits are well-developed and supported with relevant, specific examples such as Costa Rica and Rwanda. The arguments are logical and directly answer the prompt regarding the extent to which this is a positive trend. The conclusion effectively summarises your stance. To reach a higher band, ensure that you explore the 'extent' of the trend even more deeply, perhaps by briefly acknowledging potential challenges to show a more nuanced perspective.

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 paragraphs is smooth. You have used a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Unlike mass tourism', 'For example', and 'As a result'. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The referencing is clear throughout, and the flow of information is natural. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, which demonstrates a high level of control over the structure of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases like 'environmental awareness', 'sustainable economic opportunities', 'rich biodiversity', and 'exploiting natural resources' are used accurately. There are a few minor spelling errors, such as 'practises' (which should be 'practices' in this context), 'Costa rica' (should be capitalized), and 'environmetally' (typo). However, these do not impede communication. To move to a higher band, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items to show greater flexibility and precision in your word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of participial phrases ('ensuring that tourism revenue...') and conditional clauses ('provided that it is managed...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is generally strong. There are very few grammatical slips, such as the minor error in 'eco-friendly by protecting' (which lacks a noun, e.g., 'eco-friendly practices'). These are rare and do not affect the clarity of your message. Your grammar is consistent and supports the overall quality of your argument well.

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