Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-07-25

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 8.0)

Because of the development of technology and globalization, it is easier for people to communicate despite the limitations of geography. While some may experience culture shock or feel resentful, the merits of globalization still outweigh its downsides as people are more likely to make informed decisions.

First and foremost, we need to admit that there are some negative impacts on people's everyday life because of various social media. To illustrate this: nowadays, individuals tend to compare their ordinary lives with others' polished lives posted online, making themselves feel jealous and unbalanced, unlike people in the past who did not have access to the internet and therefore could be more present. In addition, while the ease of international travel enables more people to experience other cultures, it is inevitable for travelers to experience culture shock, which may make some people experience an existential crisis.

Nevertheless, we must take into account that due to the internet and globalization, the general public's knowledge is growing rapidly. After travelling to other countries, people usually become more empathetic, being able to consider others' feelings while making a decision. Moreover, there are more accessible resources online, which provide individuals with chances to improve their skill sets. On YouTube, for instance, learners can access a variety of educational channels, such as how to play the guitar or how to start a business. For these reasons, the likelihood for people to make wise decisions is increasing.

In conclusion, while some people may have unpleasant experiences caused by globalization such as feeling resentful and culture shock, more people benefit from this worldwide trend as they can learn from others and attend online courses. Thus, I would argue that the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have addressed all parts of the prompt, clearly stating your position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Your ideas are relevant and logically extended, such as the discussion on the psychological impact of social media versus the educational benefits of online resources. The response is well-balanced, acknowledging the downsides before presenting a stronger case for the benefits. To reach a higher band, you could provide more specific real-world examples or evidence to support your claims, as some points remain somewhat general. Overall, the development is sufficient and the position is maintained throughout the essay.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'First and foremost', 'In addition', 'Nevertheless', and 'Moreover', which guide the reader through your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the relationship between the negative impacts of social media and the positive aspects of global connectivity is well-managed. The flow of information is natural, and the use of referencing is clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your ideas with precision. Phrases like 'limitations of geography', 'polished lives', 'existential crisis', and 'empathetic' show a good command of language. While the vocabulary is generally accurate and appropriate for the task, there is room to incorporate more sophisticated or less common collocations to elevate the tone further. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication, and your word usage is consistently natural and fits the context of the discussion well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Examples such as 'While some may experience culture shock or feel resentful, the merits of globalization still outweigh its downsides' demonstrate good control over complex grammar. Punctuation is generally accurate, and the majority of your sentences are error-free. While there are occasional minor slips, they do not interfere with the clarity of your message. To improve, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex structures, such as inversion or more advanced conditional forms, to show greater flexibility.

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