Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-25
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 5.5)
Travelling abroad has become quite accessible thanks to plenty of mass media available globally. This allows individuals to gain awareness of other countries. Nonetheless, there are some drawbacks to consider. In this essay, I will discuss both advantages and disadvantages of this phenomenon.
To start with, mass media that show the different countries can provide engaging content for viewers. The rapid evolution of mass media increased the speed at which is broadcast, making it easier to obtain information about diverse destinations. For example, if someone is interested in travelling to south Korea , they can easily search for information about south Korea's safety. This information can offer peace of mind.
On the flip side, the the spread of mass media have some disadvantages. Many people rely on travel videos when planning their trips, and these review often focus on specific issues, which may descourage interest. Furthermore, this trend impact dstinations taht review negative feedback from content creator. For example , You tube to present only positive aspect of their locations, It might lead potential travelers.
In conclusion, advancement in media can enhance our understanding of various places, helping to reduce risks associated with weather conditions, conflicts and government stability. However, this same media can also destract from genuine interest in certain locations and potentially harm the reputation of countries. i
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The essay addresses the prompt by discussing both advantages and disadvantages, but the development is insufficient. The response is under the 250-word minimum, which limits the depth of the arguments. While the ideas regarding safety information and the impact of negative reviews are relevant, they are not fully extended or supported with detailed evidence. The position is clear, but the brevity prevents a thorough exploration of the topic. To improve, you should expand on your examples and provide more detailed analysis to meet the length requirement and demonstrate a more comprehensive understanding of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organised into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and limited. For example, 'To start with' and 'On the flip side' are standard, but the internal flow within paragraphs is occasionally disjointed. Referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the final paragraph where the connection between media and the reputation of countries could be more explicitly linked. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between sentences would enhance the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision expected at higher bands. You use some repetitive phrasing, such as 'mass media' and 'information'. There are also minor errors in word choice and spelling, such as 'descourage' (discourage), 'impact' (impacts), and 'destract' (distract). To reach a higher band, you should aim to incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary and collocations related to the topic of international travel and media influence, while ensuring accurate spelling and usage.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues like 'the spread of mass media have' (should be 'has') and 'this trend impact' (should be 'impacts'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with comma usage and capitalization (e.g., 'south Korea', 'You tube'). While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors limits the score. Focusing on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy and sentence construction will significantly improve your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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