Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-08-16

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)

Concern for the environment has increased significantly in recent years, and as a result, more people are choosing environmentally responsible forms of tourism. In my opinion, the growth of eco-tourism is a largely positive trend because it helps protect the environment and provides economic benefits to local communities.

One major advantage of eco-tourism is that it can contribute to the protection of natural environments. Traditional tourism can cause pollution, excessive waste and damage to wildlife and natural habitats. In contrast, eco-tourism encourages travellers to reduce their environmental impact by using sustainable accommodation, avoiding unnecessary waste and respecting local ecosystems. For example, tourists who visit national parks may be encouraged to follow designated walking paths and avoid disturbing animals. This can help preserve these areas for future generations.

Another important benefit is that eco-tourism can support local communities. Many environmentally friendly tourism businesses employ local residents and use locally produced food, products and services. This provides income for people living in rural or environmentally sensitive areas and can reduce their dependence on activities that damage the environment. For instance, communities near forests or wildlife reserves can earn money by offering guided tours or environmentally friendly accommodation rather than relying on logging or other harmful industries.

However, eco-tourism is not completely without disadvantages. If the number of eco-tourists becomes too high, popular natural destinations may still suffer from overcrowding, waste and disturbance to wildlife. Therefore, governments and tourism organisations need to regulate visitor numbers and ensure that tourism businesses genuinely follow sustainable practices rather than simply using the term “eco-friendly” for marketing purposes.

In conclusion, I believe that the expansion of eco-tourism is a positive development overall. Although it can create environmental problems if it is poorly managed, responsible tourism can protect natural areas, support local communities and encourage people to become more environmentally conscious.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with specific examples provided for both the environmental and economic benefits of eco-tourism. The counter-argument regarding the potential for 'greenwashing' and overcrowding is a sophisticated addition that demonstrates a balanced perspective. The conclusion effectively synthesises your main points and reinforces your stance. The response is well-structured and directly answers the 'to what extent' question by acknowledging both the benefits and the necessary conditions for success.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, starting with a clear topic sentence. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In contrast', 'For instance', and 'Therefore', which help guide the reader through your argument. The transition between the benefits and the potential drawbacks is smooth, and the paragraphing is appropriate. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between ideas is always clear, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for the topic, such as 'environmentally responsible', 'sustainable accommodation', 'local ecosystems', and 'environmentally sensitive areas'. The language is precise and natural throughout the text. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, it could be slightly more ambitious to reach the highest band. However, the current level is sufficient to convey your ideas with clarity and precision, and there are no significant errors in word choice or collocation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a high level of grammatical accuracy. You have used a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional sentences ('If the number of eco-tourists becomes too high...') and relative clauses, with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly to support the structure of your arguments. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent. The writing is fluent and easy to follow, reflecting a strong command of English grammar.

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