Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-21

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 easier than ever for people to learn about how others live in different countries. Although this development may have some disadvantages, I believe that its advantages are considerably greater.

One major advantage is that greater exposure to different cultures can promote understanding and tolerance among people. Through international travel, individuals can experience foreign traditions, lifestyles and social customs firsthand. Similarly, television, films and social media allow people to learn about cultures without actually visiting those countries. As a result, misconceptions and stereotypes about other societies may gradually disappear. For example, a person who travels abroad may realise that many cultural practices that initially seem unusual are simply different ways of living.

Another significant benefit is the exchange of knowledge and ideas. People can learn about successful practices in other countries, particularly in areas such as education, technology and healthcare. International travel also creates opportunities for students and professionals to study or work abroad, allowing them to gain valuable skills and experiences. Furthermore, mass media enables these ideas to reach millions of people quickly, which can contribute to social and economic development.

However, this development can have some negative consequences. One concern is that excessive exposure to foreign cultures may weaken traditional customs and local identities, particularly among younger generations. In addition, mass media does not always present an accurate picture of life in other countries. Social media, for instance, often portrays an idealised lifestyle, which can create unrealistic expectations and dissatisfaction.

In conclusion, although international travel and mass media may contribute to cultural change and sometimes create unrealistic perceptions, their ability to increase cultural understanding and facilitate the exchange of knowledge makes them a largely positive development. Therefore, I believe the advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages.

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 relevant examples provided for both the advantages (cultural tolerance, knowledge exchange) and the disadvantages (loss of local identity, unrealistic expectations). Each paragraph is focused and contributes to the overall argument. The conclusion effectively summarises your stance and reinforces the main points. To reach a higher band, you could further extend the discussion by providing a more specific real-world example of how mass media has impacted a particular country's cultural identity, which would add even more depth to your analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Similarly', 'As a result', 'Furthermore', and 'In addition'. The referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate for an academic essay. The flow of information is natural, and the reader is guided through your argument without any confusion. The structure is balanced, ensuring that the counter-argument is acknowledged before returning to your main position in the conclusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'widespread availability', 'promote understanding and tolerance', 'misconceptions and stereotypes', and 'idealised lifestyle' show a strong command of language. The word choice is generally precise and natural. While the vocabulary is sufficient and effective, incorporating a few more sophisticated, less common collocations or idiomatic academic expressions could elevate the response to a higher level. Overall, the lexical range is more than adequate for the task, and there are no significant errors in word choice or collocation.

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. The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no slips that impede communication. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex structures to convey your ideas clearly. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent. To achieve a higher score, you could experiment with more advanced grammatical structures, such as inversion or more complex passive constructions, to demonstrate even greater flexibility.

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