Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-03

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 7.5)

The growing popularity of eco-tourism reflects increasing public awareness of environmental issues. While some people may argue that tourism, regardless of its form, can damage natural areas, I believe that the expansion of responsible tourism is largely a positive trend.

One major benefit of eco-tourism is that it can help protect the natural environment. When tourists choose environmentally responsible accommodation, public transport and activities, they can reduce pollution and minimise damage to ecosystems. Furthermore, revenue generated through eco-tourism can be used to maintain national parks, protect endangered species and support conservation projects. For example, entrance fees collected from visitors to protected areas can contribute directly to wildlife protection and habitat restoration.

Eco-tourism can also provide significant economic and social benefits to local communities. In many rural areas, people can earn a living by working as tour guides, providing accommodation or selling locally produced goods. This can reduce their dependence on activities that may harm the environment, such as excessive logging or hunting. In addition, interaction between tourists and local residents can increase awareness of different cultures and encourage visitors to appreciate traditional lifestyles.

However, eco-tourism is not entirely free from disadvantages. If it becomes excessively commercialised, large numbers of tourists may still cause overcrowding, waste and disturbance to wildlife. Therefore, governments and tourism organisations must establish strict regulations to ensure that visitor numbers and tourism activities remain sustainable.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that the growth of eco-tourism is a positive development overall. Although it can create environmental problems if poorly managed, responsible tourism can simultaneously support conservation, local economies and greater environmental awareness.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

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, particularly the distinction between the environmental benefits and the potential for commercialisation. You provide relevant examples, such as entrance fees for wildlife protection, which adds depth to your argument. The structure is logical, and the conclusion effectively summarises your stance. To reach a higher band, you could further explore the 'extent' of the trend by discussing whether the benefits outweigh the drawbacks more definitively, but overall, the task is addressed thoroughly and professionally.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is well-organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. You make effective use of cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'In addition', and 'Therefore', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is logical, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs focusing on benefits, one on limitations, and a conclusion. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural throughout the text, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic essay. Terms such as 'environmentally responsible', 'ecosystems', 'habitat restoration', and 'excessively commercialised' are used accurately and in the correct context. The language is precise and contributes to the clarity of your argument. While the vocabulary is effective and natural, it remains within the standard range for this topic. To achieve a higher score, you could incorporate more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations to show greater flexibility, but your current usage is precise and error-free, which is highly commendable.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and conditional forms. Your control over punctuation and sentence construction is excellent, with no noticeable errors that impede communication. You use a variety of sentence types, such as 'When tourists choose..., they can reduce...', which shows good command of subordinate clauses. The grammar is consistently accurate throughout the piece, and the tone is appropriately formal for an academic task. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of proficiency in English grammar.

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