Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-23

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)

In the modern era, the combination of accessible global aviation and ubiquitous digital mass media has connected the world like never disposal. This allows individuals to look directly into the daily lives, cultures, and traditions of citizens in foreign nations. In my opinion, the advantages of this enhanced global awareness significantly outweigh its drawbacks, as it fosters cross-cultural tolerance and boosts global economies despite minor risks to local cultural dilution.

The primary benefit of this global exposure is the reduction of cultural ignorance and the promotion of international harmony. When people regularly view foreign media or travel abroad, they look past stereotypes and develop genuine empathy for different lifestyles. For instance, platforms like YouTube or international documentaries allow a person in South America to understand the nuanced social values of someone living in East Asia. This widespread visibility dismantles historical prejudices, transforms abstract "foreigners" into relatable peers, and encourages peaceful global cooperation.

Furthermore, this interconnectedness acts as a substantial catalyst for the tourism and hospitality sectors. Increased media exposure directly inspires physical travel, driving millions of tourists to explore international destinations annually. This influx of global travelers injects vital foreign currency into local economies, creating jobs and funding the preservation of historical landmarks. Travelers do not merely observe how others live; they actively participate in and financially support those lifestyles, creating a mutually beneficial relationship between hosts and visitors.

Conversely, critics argue that this phenomenon can lead to the erosion of local cultural identities and values. The global dominance of Western mass media, for example, often promotes a highly uniform consumerist lifestyle. This can lead younger generations in developing countries to abandon their traditional customs, clothing, and native languages in favor of globalized trends. Additionally, over-tourism driven by viral media can overwhelm local infrastructure and strain domestic communities. However, these negative impacts can be successfully managed through robust civic education programs that teach cultural pride, combined with sustainable tourism regulations.

In conclusion, while the ease of travel and mass media access can occasionally homogenize local customs, the overall impacts are overwhelmingly positive. The resulting benefits of deep cross-cultural empathy and strong economic growth far exceed the manageable challenges of cultural preservation.

Now that the essay is complete, how would you like to analyze or improve it for your IELTS prep? I can:

1. Provide a detailed score breakdown estimating your Band score across the 4 official IELTS criteria.

2. Extract the advanced cohesive devices and vocabulary used here to show you how to score a Band 8+ in Lexical Resource.

3. Generate a counter-argument outline to help you practice looking at this topic from the opposite perspective.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The student fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of international travel and mass media, while clearly establishing and maintaining a well-developed position throughout the essay. The response begins with a clear introduction that outlines the writer's stance, and each body paragraph explores distinct, relevant points. For instance, the first body paragraph discusses the reduction of cultural ignorance and promotion of international harmony, supported by a clear example regarding platforms like YouTube. The second body paragraph examines economic benefits like tourism, while the counter-argument is thoughtfully addressed in the fourth paragraph regarding cultural erosion. Ideas are well-extended and supported with appropriate reasoning and relevant examples, easily meeting the Band 8 descriptor for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay is exceptionally well-organized, demonstrating a clear logical progression from introduction to body paragraphs and conclusion. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, such as the primary benefit of global exposure, economic impacts, and the counter-argument regarding cultural identity. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and naturally throughout the text, including phrases like 'Furthermore,' 'Conversely,' and 'Additionally.' Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each new idea cleanly separated and managed. Referencing is consistently clear, ensuring the reader effortlessly follows the author's line of reasoning. This performance aligns fully with the Band 8 descriptors for Coherence and Cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The student displays a wide, fluent, and flexible lexical range suitable for an academic task. Less common vocabulary items are used skillfully and appropriately, such as 'ubiquitous digital mass media,' 'historical prejudices,' 'substantial catalyst,' and 'homogenize local customs.' Collocations are generally strong and natural, although there is one minor slip in the opening sentence where 'like never disposal' is used instead of 'like never before.' Despite this rare slip, the vocabulary demonstrates high sophistication, precision, and an awareness of style that comfortably satisfies the requirements for a Band 8 in Lexical Resource.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The writer utilizes a wide range of complex grammatical structures with a high degree of flexibility and control. Sentences such as 'When people regularly view foreign media or travel abroad, they look past stereotypes and develop genuine empathy for different lifestyles' showcase sophisticated subordination and accurate punctuation. The majority of sentences are error-free, and complex forms are handled very well. While there is a minor lexical/grammatical slip in the introduction ('like never disposal'), it does not impede communication in any way and represents only a rare minor error. Grammatical control remains strong throughout, justifying a solid Band 8 score.

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.