Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-07-28
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 8.5)
Pictures have become an essential part of news stories in both television broadcasts and newspapers. Some people believe that images communicate information more effectively than written words. I largely agree with this view because pictures attract people's attention and create a stronger emotional impact. However, I also believe that words are necessary to provide complete and accurate information.
On the one hand, pictures are highly effective in capturing the audience's attention. A powerful image can immediately convey the seriousness of an event and help people understand the situation without reading a long article. For example, photographs of natural disasters, road accidents, or wars often express the suffering of victims more effectively than words alone. Furthermore, images are easier to remember, allowing readers and viewers to recall important events for a longer period of time.
On the other hand, pictures cannot explain every aspect of a news story. Written reports provide important details such as the causes of an event, the people involved, and its possible consequences. Without words, people may misunderstand the meaning of a photograph or draw incorrect conclusions. For instance, an image of a crowd could represent either a peaceful celebration or a public protest, but only the accompanying article can explain the actual situation. Therefore, words play a vital role in providing context and ensuring accurate reporting.
In conclusion, I believe that pictures are more effective than words in attracting attention and creating an emotional connection with the audience. Nevertheless, they should always be supported by clear and detailed written information to ensure that readers fully understand the news. Together, pictures and words make news reporting more informative and reliable.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 9.0 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt. Your position is clear from the introduction, where you acknowledge the effectiveness of images while balancing this with the necessity of text. The ideas are well-developed, with specific examples provided for both sides of the argument, such as the mention of natural disasters for images and the ambiguity of crowd photos for text. The response is balanced and maintains a consistent focus throughout, meeting the requirements for a high band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, utilizing appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', and 'Nevertheless'. The use of referencing is precise, and the paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different viewpoints. The flow of information is natural, making the argument easy to follow from start to finish.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.0
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the task. You use precise terms such as 'essential part', 'emotional impact', 'convey the seriousness', and 'draw incorrect conclusions'. The language is natural and fits the context of news reporting well. While the vocabulary is accurate and functional, incorporating a few more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions could elevate the score further, but the current range is sufficient for a high band.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0
Your grammar is highly accurate, with a wide range of complex structures used correctly. You effectively use conditional-like structures and complex sentences to express nuanced opinions, such as 'Without words, people may misunderstand the meaning of a photograph or draw incorrect conclusions.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are virtually no errors in sentence construction. The control over grammar is consistent and supports the clarity of your argument.
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