Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-16

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)

Nowadays, international travel and mass media have made it easier for people to learned about the lifestyles, cultures and traditions of other countries. Although this development has some disadvantages, I believe that it's advantages is greater.

On the other hand, international travel and mass media can have some negative effects. Firstly, people may misunderstanding other cultures because of false information gave on social media. This can create different types and learn to conflicts between different communities. Secondly tourism can damage the environment because of pollution, traffic and overcrowding. For Example, popular tourist destinations often become crowded during holidays. Moreover, some people may forget their own traditions by copying foreign lifestyles without understanding their cultural importance.

On the other hand, I believe that the benefits of this development are much more significant. the main advantage is that people can understand and respect different cultures. when individuals visit other countries, they can experienced local food, languages, customs and traditions. This help them become more open minded and reduces cultural misunderstandings. For example, a person traveling to Italy can learn about Italian food, history and lifestyles.

Another important benefit is the role of mass media. Television, internet and the social media allow the people to explore the world without leaving their homes. Students can learn about different education system, while workers that can discover better opportunities for abroad. International students can discover better career to live your lives in abroad. For example, students play different roles to buy the expensives of abroad life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both sides of the question and state a clear view: “I believe that it's advantages is greater.” The response gives relevant disadvantages, including misleading social-media information, environmental damage and pressure to copy foreign lifestyles, then presents cultural understanding and access to information as benefits. This covers the task, but some points are more fully addressed than others. The travel example about Italy illustrates cultural learning, while the claims about students and workers are unclear and not convincingly supported; the final example about “buy the expensives” does not explain how media or travel benefits people. Develop this section with a clear, relevant example and explain why the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, a paragraph on disadvantages and a paragraph on advantages. Sequencing words such as “Firstly,” “Secondly” and “Moreover” help identify supporting points. However, progression is weakened by repeating “On the other hand” to introduce both the negative and positive sides, and the final paragraph moves between students, workers and international students without clear links. Some sentences are difficult to connect because their meaning is unclear, particularly the discussion of career opportunities and the cost of living abroad. Use distinct transitions for contrast and addition, and organise each body paragraph around one main idea followed by a clear explanation and example.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of topic vocabulary, including “lifestyles,” “traditions,” “overcrowding,” “cultural misunderstandings” and “opportunities.” These choices show an attempt to discuss the topic beyond very basic terms. However, several inaccurate word choices or collocations make parts of the argument hard to understand: “different types and learn to conflicts,” “better career to live your lives in abroad” and “buy the expensives” do not express clear meanings. There are also inconsistent forms such as “education system” where a plural is intended, and “open minded” is better written as “open-minded.” Aim for precise, natural phrases and check that each example uses vocabulary that conveys the intended point.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentence forms, including a concession in the introduction (“Although this development has some disadvantages…”) and a reason clause beginning “because.” The overall meaning is often recoverable, but errors in verb forms, agreement, articles and sentence construction occur across the response. Examples include “people to learned,” “people may misunderstanding,” “This help them,” and “they can experienced.” The sentence beginning “while workers that can discover” is also structurally incomplete, and “it's advantages is” has incorrect agreement and pronoun form. Review verb patterns after modal verbs and “to,” subject–verb agreement, and sentence boundaries; accurate control of these basics would make your ideas much clearer.

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