Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-11-11

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

The ease of international travel and the spread of various kinds of mass media all over the world have made it more possible than ever for people to know how other people live in other countries.

Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence. Write at least 250 words.

Student answer (Band 5.0)

Travelling around the world become common these days; moreover, media has significant influence on individuals living in a small city, to know about other people living in other countries.

Social media and internet make it easier for people to know about the way of living for example, it includes different cultures, traditions and living style in other countries. For instance, by the innovation of youtube, it is quite simple to know about the life style of other people on vlogs, who are living a far away.

Although, media made life easier than ever, it overweigh the disadvantages by spreading fake news. My recent visit to North korea is an example that how influencers make a false allegations on its democracy and economy but during my tour, I have found the locals most humble which made the tour more convenient. After my return from korea, I realize how negatively social media or fake news ruin our ability of decision making.

Government should make policies to control media so no one can spread fake news.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You address the topic by discussing how media and travel expose people to other cultures, and you give a personal example involving your visit to North Korea. However, the response does not clearly answer the central question: whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The sentence “it overweigh the disadvantages by spreading fake news” is unclear and appears to contradict the example that follows, which describes a benefit of travel. Your ideas are also only briefly supported, and the conclusion offers a policy recommendation rather than restating a clear judgement about the balance of advantages and disadvantages. The response is 173 words, below the required 250, so the argument remains substantially incomplete. State your position directly, develop both sides, and explain how your example supports that position.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic paragraph structure: an introduction, a paragraph about cultural knowledge, a paragraph introducing a concern, and a final recommendation. Linking expressions such as “moreover,” “For instance,” and “After my return” help show some relationships between ideas. However, progression is uneven: the discussion moves from the benefits of media to fake news, then to a positive travel experience, without clearly explaining how these points connect or which side is stronger. The opening also combines travel and media without setting out the essay’s direction. Use each paragraph to develop one clear point, and add explicit links between the example and your overall position. A concluding sentence that summarises your judgement would make the organisation more complete.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “cultures,” “traditions,” “influencers,” “fake news,” and “decision making,” which allows the reader to follow the main subject. There are also attempts at more specific expressions, such as “ability of decision making.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, including “overweigh the disadvantages,” “false allegations on its democracy,” and “living style.” These reduce precision, particularly when expressing your main argument. Some phrases are also repetitive, such as repeated references to “other people” and “other countries.” Aim for more natural combinations and precise terms—for example, distinguish misinformation from criticism, and describe cultural practices or lifestyles accurately. This would make your ideas clearer and more flexible.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a sentence beginning “Although” and one using “which,” but control is inconsistent. Errors in verb forms and sentence construction appear in “Travelling around the world become common” and “media made life easier,” where the tense or verb form does not fit the intended meaning. The opening phrase “to know about other people” is not smoothly connected to the sentence, and “who are living a far away” has problems with clause structure and article use. Punctuation after “Although” is also incorrect, and the sentence beginning “For instance” is not well formed. Practise building complete sentences with clear subjects and verbs, and check tense consistency, articles, and punctuation. More accurate control would make your meaning easier to follow.

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