Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-07-27

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 7.0)

News stories on TV and in newspapers are very often accompanied by pictures. Some individuals believe that these images are more attractive than text. I agree that pictures have immediate attention, while words are also essential for detailed information.

One of the main reasons for using images in news stories is that they easily capture the individuals' attention. A single photo can communicate emotions, situations, and urgency. For example, images of natural disasters like earthquakes can show a whole situation; when people tend to see this photo, they can imagine the condition and may be inspired to donate to relief efforts. Moreover, pictures in news stories are more convenient and time-saving. Today, everyone has a hectic schedule. They are unable to read full articles. When they see a photo, they can get a message about the news. Nowadays, individuals have mobile phones. So, they can easily watch visuals on their phone.

However, Photographs are unable to replace words. Images lack content and sometimes are misunderstood if they are without explanations. Written reports give information about the events, including background information, causes of events, experts' opinions, a better understanding of issues, and so on. For example, a photograph can show a large crowd, but words can provide the full information about the issue and demonstrations.

In conclusion, I believe that photographs are more effective than words in attracting emotion and a quick message. Nevertheless, governments ought to combine both images and written reports, which is useful to provide complete and reliable news reports.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, presenting a clear position that acknowledges the benefits of both images and text. The ideas are relevant and supported with examples, such as the impact of disaster photography and the necessity of written reports for context. The argument is well-developed, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the main points. To reach a higher band, the student could further elaborate on the 'why' behind the effectiveness of images versus text, perhaps by discussing the psychological impact of visual media in more depth or the role of critical thinking in news consumption.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover,' 'However,' and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to link ideas. While the structure is sound, the transition between the second and third paragraphs could be slightly smoother to enhance the flow. Overall, the paragraphing is appropriate, and the logical progression of the argument is maintained throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient for the task and allows for clear communication. The student uses some appropriate collocations like 'hectic schedule' and 'relief efforts.' However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simpler terms. To improve, the student should aim to incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary and precise collocations to express complex ideas. For instance, instead of 'attractive,' words like 'compelling' or 'impactful' would be more precise in the context of news media.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and grammatically accurate, though there are minor slips, such as 'when people tend to see this photo' (which is slightly unnatural) and 'Photographs are unable to replace words' (where 'cannot' would be more idiomatic). Punctuation is generally correct. To achieve a higher score, the student should aim for a wider variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences or passive voice constructions, and ensure greater precision in phrasing.

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