Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-27

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)

The ease of international travel and the development of mass media have made it much easier for people to learn about life in other countries. Although this trend has some disadvantages, I believe that its advantages are greater.

One major advantage is that people can understand different cultures and lifestyles more easily. Through international travel, television and social media, individual can see how people in other countries live, work and spend their free time. This can reduce misunderstandings and encourage respect between different nations. For example, a person who visits another country may learn about its traditions, foods and social values directly instead of relying on stereotypes.

Another important benefit is that international travel and mass media provide educational and economic opportunities. Students can learn about foreign education system, while business can find new markets and international partners. In addition, tourism creates employment for local people and brings money into different countries. For instance, popular tourist destinations often depend heavily on international visitors for hotels, restaurants and transport services.

However, there are also some disadvantages. One concern is that local culture may gradually become less distinctive because people are increasingly influenced by foreign lifestyles. Young people, in particular, may copy trends, clothing and habits from other countries through social media. Furthermore, mass media does not always present accurate information, and this can some time create unrealistic or negative opinions about other societies.

In conclusion, international travel and mass communications have some drawbacks, particularly the possible loss of cultural identity and the spread of inaccurate information.

Nevertheless, I believe that the advantages, such as greater cultural understanding, educational opportunities and economic growth, clearly outweigh the disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, maintaining a clear position throughout that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The ideas are relevant and logically extended, such as the discussion on cultural exchange and economic benefits. However, the development of the disadvantages could be slightly more nuanced to reach a higher band. For instance, the point about 'inaccurate information' is mentioned but not fully explored with a concrete example. Overall, the response is well-structured and directly answers the question, demonstrating a good grasp of the task requirements.

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 the advantages and disadvantages is handled smoothly using cohesive devices like 'However' and 'Nevertheless'. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate distinct arguments. While the use of cohesive devices is generally effective, there is a slight reliance on simple transitions. To improve, you could incorporate a wider variety of linking words and ensure that referencing is consistently precise throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'distinctive', 'stereotypes', and 'economic growth' appropriately. There are some minor inaccuracies, such as 'some time' instead of 'sometimes' and 'foreign education system' which should be pluralized. While you successfully convey your meaning, the vocabulary is functional rather than sophisticated. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise collocations and less common lexical items that demonstrate a deeper command of the language in an academic context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical slips, such as 'individual can see' (should be 'individuals can see') and 'business can find' (should be 'businesses can find'). Additionally, there are minor punctuation and article errors throughout. Despite these slips, the errors do not impede communication, and the meaning remains clear. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the consistent use of plural forms when making general statements.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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