Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-10

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 6.5)

Nowadays, international travel has become much easier, while mass media such as television, the internet and social media have spread rapidly around the world. As a result, people can easily learn about the lifestyles of people 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 help people understand different cultures. When people visit foreign countries, they can experience different traditions, food and ways of life. Similarly, television and social media allow people to see how others live without travelling abroad. This can reduce misunderstandings and prejudice between people from different backgrounds. For example, watching videos about other cultures can help young people become more open-minded and respectful towards foreigners.

Another important benefit is that international travel can create educational and employment opportunities. Students can travel to other countries to study at universities and gain valuable international experience. In addition, people can find jobs or start businesses in foreign countries. Mass media also provides information about these opportunities, making it easier for people to make decisions about their future. Therefore, this development can improve both personal and professional lives.

However, there are some disadvantages. One concern is that local cultures and traditions may become less popular because people, especially young people, may copy foreign lifestyles shown on social media and television. Furthermore, a large number of international tourists can cause overcrowding, pollution and damage to the environment. Nevertheless, these problems can be controlled through proper government regulations and responsible tourism.

In conclusion, although the ease of international travel and the spread of mass media can have some negative effects, I believe that their advantages are greater. They improve cultural understanding and provide valuable educational and employment opportunities, making this development largely beneficial to society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The arguments are relevant and well-developed, particularly regarding cultural understanding and economic opportunities. The counter-argument regarding cultural erosion and environmental impact is also acknowledged and addressed. The ideas are extended with logical explanations, such as the link between media exposure and open-mindedness. The response maintains a consistent stance throughout, fulfilling the requirements for a Band 7.0 score by providing a balanced yet decisive argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using cohesive devices like 'One major advantage', 'Another important benefit', and 'However'. The use of referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate for the structure of an IELTS essay. While the cohesive devices are effective, they are somewhat standard and could be more varied to reach a higher band. Overall, the flow of information is logical and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses topic-specific terms such as 'prejudice', 'open-minded', 'regulations', and 'responsible tourism'. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, though some phrasing remains relatively straightforward. The word choices are accurate and do not impede communication. To reach a higher band, the student should aim to incorporate more sophisticated collocations and idiomatic expressions to demonstrate a wider, more flexible range of lexical resources.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Complex sentences are used effectively, such as 'Although this development has some disadvantages, I believe that the advantages outweigh them.' Grammar and punctuation are generally accurate, with only very minor slips that do not affect the clarity of the message. The majority of sentences are error-free, showing good control over tense and subject-verb agreement. The range of structures is sufficient to convey complex ideas clearly and accurately.

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.