Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-23

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 rapid growth of eco-tourism is a clear indication that environmental concerns are beginning to influence people’s travel choices. Although this trend may create certain challenges, I believe that its overall impact is overwhelmingly positive because it promotes environmental conservation, supports local communities and encourages more sustainable forms of tourism.

One of the most significant benefits of eco-tourism is that it can provide a financial incentive to preserve natural environments. Conventional mass tourism often places considerable pressure on ecosystems through excessive waste, pollution and the overdevelopment of fragile areas. By contrast, eco-tourism encourages visitors to minimise their environmental footprint and, in many cases, contributes directly to conservation initiatives. For example, in Nepal, visitors to areas such as the Annapurna and Everest regions can support local conservation efforts through park fees and environmentally responsible tourism practices. If local communities derive a sustainable income from protecting their surroundings, they are more likely to regard forests, mountains and wildlife as valuable assets rather than resources to be exploited.

Another important advantage is the economic benefit to local populations. Eco-tourists tend to favour locally owned accommodation, guides, restaurants and transport services, meaning that a greater proportion of tourism revenue can remain within the host community. This can create employment opportunities while reducing excessive dependence on environmentally damaging industries. In rural parts of Nepal, for instance, community-based tourism allows residents to earn a livelihood by providing accommodation and guiding services, while visitors gain a more authentic understanding of local culture and natural heritage.

Admittedly, eco-tourism is not entirely free from environmental consequences. Travelling to remote destinations inevitably consumes energy and generates emissions, while an excessive number of so-called eco-tourists can still damage sensitive ecosystems. Nevertheless, these concerns can be mitigated through visitor limits, effective waste management and stricter environmental regulations.

In conclusion, the expansion of eco-tourism is a highly positive development because it can align economic interests with environmental protection. Provided that governments and tourism operators regulate the industry responsibly, its growth can contribute to both the preservation of natural resources and the long-term prosperity of local communities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by exploring whether the expansion of the eco-tourism industry is a positive trend. The writer establishes a very clear position in the introduction ('its overall impact is overwhelmingly positive') and maintains this stance consistently throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant explanations and real-world examples, such as referencing the Annapurna and Everest regions in Nepal. The arguments concerning conservation incentives and economic benefits for local populations are thoroughly explored. The counterargument regarding environmental consequences is also appropriately acknowledged and addressed in the fourth paragraph. Overall, the response meets all the requirements of a Band 8 level for task achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with a well-formulated introduction, followed by two well-supported body paragraphs addressing specific benefits, a concession paragraph discussing drawbacks, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and appropriately (e.g., 'By contrast', 'Another important advantage', 'Admittedly', 'Nevertheless'), guiding the reader smoothly through the writer's arguments. Paragraphing is used skillfully and purposefully to separate distinct ideas and perspectives. Referencing and substitution are handled with precision, ensuring that the relationships between ideas remain transparent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The writer uses a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic discussion on tourism and the environment. Less common lexical items are employed skillfully and naturally, such as 'excessive waste', 'fragile areas', 'conservation initiatives', 'sustainable income', and 'sensitive ecosystems'. Word choice and collocations are generally very accurate. While the vocabulary is not completely error-free or at the absolute native-speaker sophistication level of a Band 9, it clearly exceeds the requirements for Band 7 by demonstrating both breadth and precision in discussing complex environmental and economic themes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of complex structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the writer demonstrates strong control over subordination, conditional clauses (e.g., 'If local communities derive a sustainable income...'), and participial phrases. Punctuation is handled exceptionally well throughout the text. While minor slips may occur occasionally, they do not impede communication or reduce the overall fluency of the writing. The control of grammar aligns comfortably with the Band 8 descriptor, reflecting a wide range of structures and consistently sound execution.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.