Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-07-25

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

News stories on TV and in newspapers are very often accompanied by pictures.

Some people say that these pictures are more effective than words.

What is your opinion about this?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

 

Student answer (Band 8.0)

Some people believe that pictures accompanying news stories are more effective than words. I strongly agree with this view because people feel emotionally connected to pictures rather than a written story. It creates a strong emotional connection. However, I also believe that written information is necessary to provide context and accuracy.

To begin with, pictures can communicate a message instantly. A single image of a natural disaster, war or humanitarian crisis can evoke emotions such as sympathy, fear, or concern much more effectively than a lengthy written description. This is because people process visual information faster than text. For instance, images of earthquake victims often encourage people around the world to donate to relief efforts even before they read the full story.

Moreover, pictures make news easier to understand and remember. Many readers don't have that much time to read a full article, but an accurate presentation of an image is enough for them to get a brief idea of the situation. In today's digital era, people prefer watching news videos rather than reading a full article, and visual representation plays a crucial role. For instance, if a news video is circulating representing a soccer match, people can easily judge which team is on the winning side with a video representation.

However, pictures alone cannot provide complete information. A photograph may be interpreted differently by different people and can sometimes deliver a different message to others. Written reports deliver a brief context of the image, which helps everyone to understand the image properly. Without accurate reporting, readers may misunderstand the situation or draw incorrect conclusions. Therefore, words play a crucial role in delivering factual and balanced news.

In conclusion, I believe that pictures are generally more effective than words in capturing attention and creating an emotional connection. Nevertheless, they should complement rather than replace written information, as both elements go hand in hand to convey accurate and meaningful journalism.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

You have fully addressed all parts of the task. You clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. Your arguments regarding the emotional impact of images and the necessity of text for context are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of natural disasters and sports reporting. The ideas are extended logically, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your points. The response is balanced, acknowledging the strengths of both visual and written media while providing a clear opinion on their complementary nature.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you have used a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'To begin with', 'Moreover', 'However', and 'Therefore'. These transitions help the reader follow your argument smoothly. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the topic. The referencing is clear, and the flow between the advantages of pictures and the necessity of words is handled well, ensuring the essay remains coherent throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'evoke emotions', 'humanitarian crisis', 'visual representation', and 'balanced news' show a good command of topic-specific language. While the vocabulary is generally accurate and natural, there is room to incorporate more sophisticated or less common collocations to reach the highest band. For instance, instead of 'get a brief idea', you could use 'gain a concise understanding'. Overall, your word choice is appropriate and effectively conveys your meaning without any noticeable errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

You have used a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Your grammar is generally accurate, and the majority of your sentences are error-free. You demonstrate control over complex structures, such as 'if a news video is circulating representing a soccer match, people can easily judge...'. Punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your writing. While there are no major errors that impede communication, the range of structures could be slightly more varied to demonstrate greater flexibility. Overall, the writing is clear, fluent, and grammatically sound.

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