Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-08

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 7.5)

The ease of international travel and the widespread availability of mass media have made it much easier for people to learn about lifestyles and cultures in other countries. Although this development has some disadvantages, I believe that the advantages outweigh them.

One major advantage is that international travel and mass media can promote cultural understanding. People can learn about different traditions, customs, food and ways of life without relying on stereotypes or inaccurate information. For example, documentaries and travel programmes allow viewers to see how people live in countries they may never have the opportunity to visit. Similarly, travelling abroad enables people to interact directly with local communities, which can make them more open-minded and tolerant of cultural differences.

Another important benefit is that greater international awareness can create educational and economic opportunities. Students can learn about foreign education systems and consider studying overseas, while businesses can understand international markets more effectively. In addition, exposure to different lifestyles can encourage people to adopt positive practices from other societies, such as healthier habits or more environmentally friendly ways of living.

However, there are some drawbacks. The global spread of media can sometimes lead to cultural homogenisation, as people, particularly young people, may increasingly adopt the language, fashion and lifestyles of dominant cultures. This could gradually weaken local traditions. Furthermore, international media does not always present an accurate picture of a country, since some programmes focus mainly on wealth, tourism or negative social issues. Consequently, people may develop unrealistic or stereotypical views.

In conclusion, while the increased exposure to other cultures can sometimes threaten local traditions and create misconceptions, I believe the benefits are greater. Greater cultural awareness, tolerance and access to international educational and economic opportunities make this development largely positive.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, with specific examples provided for both the advantages (cultural understanding, educational/economic opportunities) and the disadvantages (cultural homogenisation, potential for inaccurate media portrayals). The ideas are extended logically, and the conclusion effectively synthesises the main points. The response is balanced and demonstrates a clear understanding of the task requirements, meeting the criteria for a high band score by providing a well-supported argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Similarly', 'In addition', 'However', and 'Consequently', which help to guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs covering the pros and cons, and a concise conclusion. The use of referencing is precise, ensuring that the flow of information remains consistent throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic essay. You successfully use less common lexical items such as 'cultural homogenisation', 'stereotypes', and 'tolerant of cultural differences'. The word choice is generally precise and natural, contributing to the clarity of your arguments. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated idiomatic expressions or nuanced academic collocations, but the current range is sufficient for a strong performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, including the use of conditional clauses and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Although this development has some disadvantages, I believe...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. You demonstrate a high level of grammatical accuracy throughout the text. There are no recurring errors that distract the reader, and the complexity of your sentence construction is well-managed, reflecting a high level of proficiency.

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