Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-07-28

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)

Morden transportation and global media have transformed how much people know about life beyond their own borders. While this increased exposure bring valuable benefits, it also carries certain drawbacks. In my view, the advantage of this development considerably outweigh the disadvantage.

The primary benefit of this growing awareness in grater cross-culture understanding. When people watch documentaries, follow international news, or travel abroad, they gain insight into different customs, values and ways of life. This exposure can reduce prejudice and stereotyping, as direct or media based contact with other cultures often replaces ignorance with genuine understanding. For example, someone who has seen how families in a developing country cope with limited resource may become more empathetic and less judgemental about global inequality. Furthermore, this awareness can drive positive change, as people who learn about hardship elsewhere, such as poverty or conflict, are often more inclined to support humanitarian causes or donate to international charities.

Economic advantages also arise from this interconnectedness. Businesses that understand foreign markets and consumer habits, largely through international travel and media, are better equipped to trade successfully across boarders, which in turn boosts global economic growth.

Nevertheless, some disadvantages exist. Exposure to other lifestyles can occasionally foster unrealistic expectation or dissatisfaction with one's own circumstances, particularly among young people influenced by idealized portrayals of wealthier nations on social media. Additionally, mass media does not always present balanced information, and biased or sensationalized coverage can spread misunderstanding rather than genuine insight.

However, these drawbacks are relatively minor compared to the broader benefits of empathy, tolerance, and economic cooperation that global awareness fosters. Therefore, I firmly believe that the advantages of this development outweigh its disadvantages, provided that approach international information with a critical and open mind.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, maintaining a clear position throughout. The arguments regarding cross-cultural understanding and economic growth are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of humanitarian aid and business expansion. The counter-argument regarding unrealistic expectations is also effectively integrated. The essay is balanced, and the conclusion reinforces the initial stance. To reach a higher band, the student could further elaborate on the 'how' and 'why' of the economic benefits, as this section is slightly less detailed than the cultural argument. Overall, the response is fully relevant and well-structured.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the benefits and the drawbacks is handled smoothly using cohesive devices like 'Nevertheless' and 'However'. Referencing is generally clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate. While the flow is natural, some cohesive devices are standard; incorporating a wider variety of linking phrases could enhance the sophistication of the text. Overall, the information is presented in a coherent manner that is easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'cross-culture understanding', 'sensationalized coverage', and 'interconnectedness' show an ability to use less common items effectively. There are a few minor spelling errors, such as 'Morden' instead of 'Modern' and 'grater' instead of 'greater', as well as a minor collocation error ('across boarders' should be 'across borders'). Despite these occasional slips, the vocabulary is varied and appropriate for the academic context, and the meaning is never obscured.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. There is good control over grammar, with many error-free sentences. However, there are a few grammatical slips, such as 'the advantage... outweigh' (subject-verb agreement) and 'provided that approach' (missing subject 'we'). These errors are non-systematic and do not impede communication. The punctuation is generally accurate, and the sentence variety helps maintain the reader's interest. To improve, the student should focus on proofreading for minor subject-verb agreement and pronoun usage.

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