Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-12

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In some countries today, there is an attitude that 'anyone can do it' in the arts - music, literature, acting, art, etc. As a result, people with no talent become rich and famous and genuine talent is not valued or appreciated.

Do you agree or disagree?

You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence.

Student answer (Band 7.5)

Nowadays, there is a common belief in some countries that anyone can become successful in the arts, including music, literature, acting and painting. As a result, people with limited natural ability can sometimes become famous and wealthy, while genuinely talented individuals may receive less attention. I largely agree with this view, although I believe that talent is still important for long-term success.

One major reason why people without exceptional talent can become famous is the influence of social media and modern entertainment. Platforms such as YouTube, Instagram and TikTok allow almost anyone to share their work with a large audience. Consequently, popularity can sometimes depend more on appearance, personality or the ability to attract attention than on genuine artistic skill. For example, a person may become well known because of a viral video even though their singing or acting ability is relatively average. Once such a person gains a large following, companies may offer them advertising and sponsorship opportunities, which can make them financially successful.

Another important factor is the commercial nature of the entertainment industry. Producers and businesses generally want to make money, so they may choose performers who are popular with the public rather than those who are the most talented. This can make it difficult for highly skilled artists to receive recognition. A talented musician, for instance, may spend many years developing their abilities but remain relatively unknown because they do not have effective marketing or a large online audience.

However, I do not completely agree that genuine talent is no longer valued. In many fields, natural ability combined with education, practice and dedication is still essential. A talented writer who consistently produces high-quality books can gradually build a strong reputation. Similarly, highly skilled actors and musicians are often respected by critics and audiences because of the quality of their work. Although popularity may bring short-term fame, lasting success usually requires real ability and continuous improvement.

In conclusion, I agree that modern society sometimes gives excessive attention to popularity rather than genuine talent, particularly because of social media and commercial interests. Nevertheless, I believe that true talent remains valuable, and people with ability, determination and hard work can still achieve long-term recognition and success.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, particularly the distinction between short-term fame driven by social media and long-term success based on genuine talent. You provide relevant examples, such as the mention of viral videos and the commercial pressures of the entertainment industry, which effectively support your claims. The conclusion provides a balanced summary that reinforces your stance. The response is well-structured and demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Consequently', 'For instance', 'However', and 'Nevertheless', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different aspects of the discussion. The referencing is clear throughout, and the overall structure is coherent, making the essay very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the academic context. You use precise collocations and less common lexical items effectively, such as 'exceptional talent', 'commercial nature', 'lasting success', and 'excessive attention'. The word choice is consistently accurate and contributes to the sophisticated tone of the essay. There are no noticeable errors in spelling or word formation, and the vocabulary is used with a high degree of naturalness and precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You successfully use complex sentence forms, such as conditional structures and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Although popularity may bring short-term fame, lasting success usually requires...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and the overall control of language is very strong throughout the entire piece.

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.