Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-12

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 widespread use of mass media have made it much easier for people to learn about how others live in different parts of the world. Although this development has some disadvantages, I believe that its advantages are considerably greater.

One major advantage is that people can develop a better understanding of different cultures and lifestyles. In the past, people's knowledge of foreign countries was often limited to books or information provided by a small number of sources. Today, however, people can travel abroad, watch international television programmes, use social media and communicate directly with people from other countries. As a result, they can learn about different traditions, languages, food and social customs. For example, a person who visits Japan can experience Japanese culture directly rather than relying only on information from books or television.

Another important benefit is that international travel and mass media can reduce cultural misunderstandings and prejudice. When people interact with foreigners and learn about their daily lives, they may realize that people from different countries often have similar hopes, problems and values. This can encourage tolerance and cooperation between different societies. Furthermore, exposure to international news and educational content can help people become more aware of global issues such as climate change, poverty and international conflicts.

However, there are also some disadvantages to this development. One concern is that the widespread influence of international media may cause local cultures and traditions to become less important. Young people, in particular, may adopt foreign lifestyles, clothing and entertainment while gradually losing interest in their own cultural practices. Another problem is that mass media does not always present an accurate picture of life in another country. Social media, for instance, can show an unrealistic and highly idealized lifestyle, which may create false expectations among viewers.

In conclusion, although international travel and mass media can sometimes weaken local cultures and provide misleading information, I believe their advantages outweigh their disadvantages. They allow people to understand other societies, reduce prejudice and become more aware of the world, making them valuable developments in modern society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing the ease of international travel and mass media, acknowledging both advantages and disadvantages, and presenting a clear position throughout. The arguments are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as visiting Japan to experience culture firsthand and highlighting global issues like climate change. The counter-arguments regarding local culture dilution and unrealistic social media expectations are also thoroughly explored before reaching a balanced conclusion. This performance aligns comfortably with the Band 7.0 descriptors, as all parts of the task are addressed and extended with clear supporting evidence.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, beginning with a clear introduction, moving through well-structured body paragraphs with explicit topic sentences, and ending with a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively and flexibly, such as 'Furthermore', 'However', and 'For example', without appearing mechanical or overused. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate advantages from disadvantages. This meets the criteria for Band 7.0, showing a coherent overall arrangement and logical flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with adequate flexibility and precision for the task. Phrases like 'widespread influence', 'cultural misunderstandings', 'unrealistic and highly idealized lifestyle', and 'global issues' demonstrate an ability to use less common lexical items with good awareness of collocation and style. While there are no major errors in spelling or word choice, the vocabulary tends towards standard academic phrasing rather than truly sophisticated or uncommon idiomatic control, which places this firmly at Band 7.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The writer employs a good variety of complex structures alongside simple sentences, maintaining frequent error-free constructions. Examples of complex clauses include concessive clauses ('Although this development has some disadvantages...') and relative clauses ('a person who visits Japan can experience...'). Control of grammar and punctuation is strong throughout, with only occasional minor slips or awkward phrasing that never impedes communication. This level of syntactic variety and accuracy fully satisfies the requirements for a Band 7.0 score.

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