Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-12

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)

In recent years, environmental awareness has increased significantly, and more people are choosing eco-friendly forms of tourism. Although this trend may create some challenges, I believe that the growth of eco-tourism is largely a positive development.

One major benefit of eco-tourism is that it helps protect the natural environment. Traditional tourism can cause pollution, excessive waste and damage to wildlife habitats. In contrast, eco-tourism encourages visitors to respect nature, reduce waste and use resources responsibly. For example, tourists visiting national parks can follow designated routes and avoid disturbing animals. Moreover, the money earned from eco-tourism can be invested in conservation projects, helping to protect forests, wildlife and other natural resources.

Another important advantage is that eco-tourism can provide economic opportunities for local communities. It can create jobs for local guides, drivers, hotel workers and small business owners. This can improve living standards and reduce the need for people to depend on activities that harm the environment. Furthermore, tourists can learn about local cultures and traditions, which can increase respect for different ways of life.

However, the rapid expansion of eco-tourism can also have negative effects if it is not properly controlled. A large number of visitors may still damage fragile ecosystems, even when a destination is promoted as environmentally friendly. Therefore, governments should introduce strict regulations, limit visitor numbers in sensitive areas and ensure that tourism companies follow sustainable practices.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that the expansion of eco-tourism is a positive trend. It can protect the environment, support local communities and encourage responsible behaviour, provided that it is carefully managed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task prompt, discussing whether the growth of eco-tourism is a positive trend. The writer maintains a clear, consistent position throughout the essay, starting with the thesis statement in the introduction ('I believe that the growth of eco-tourism is largely a positive development') and concluding with a strong restatement. The main body paragraphs present well-developed, relevant ideas supported by specific explanations and examples, such as tourists visiting national parks following designated routes. The counterargument in paragraph four adds balance and demonstrates a sophisticated approach to the prompt, ensuring the ideas are thoroughly explored.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

Ideas are logically sequenced and progress naturally throughout the essay, guiding the reader smoothly from the introduction to the conclusion. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central topic (environmental benefits, economic benefits, potential negative effects and controls). Cohesive devices such as 'One major benefit', 'Another important advantage', 'However', and 'In conclusion' are managed well without being overly mechanical. Referencing is clear, and the overall structure feels cohesive and well-organised.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient to wide range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task, incorporating less common lexical items such as 'environmental awareness', 'excessive waste', 'fragile ecosystems', and 'sustainable practices'. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate and natural, allowing for precision in discussing tourism and conservation. There are occasional minor slip-ups, but they do not impede communication. The vocabulary allows the writer to convey precise meanings smoothly and effectively throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, including conditional clauses ('if it is not properly controlled') and participial phrases ('helping to protect forests'). The majority of sentences are error-free, showcasing good control of grammar and punctuation. There are only very occasional minor errors or awkward phrasings, which do not disrupt the flow or impede comprehension. The grammatical control supports the overall clarity and sophistication of the argument.

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