Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-09

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)

News stories on television and in newspapers are often presented with pictures. Some people believe that pictures are more effective than words when giving news. I agree with this opinion to some extent because pictures can attract attention and make information easier to understand, although words are also important for explaining details.

Firstly, pictures can communicate information quickly and effectively. When people see an image, they can understand the situation without reading a long article or listening to a detailed report. For example, if there is a news story about a natural disaster such as a flood, pictures showing damaged houses and roads can immediately help people understand how serious the situation is. This is especially useful for people who do not have much time to read newspapers.

Secondly, pictures can make news more interesting and memorable. Many people are more likely to notice a large or powerful photograph than a long piece of writing. For instance, pictures of people affected by a war or an accident can create strong emotions in viewers. As a result, people may remember the news for a longer period of time.

However, words are still necessary because pictures cannot always explain the full story. A photograph may show what happened, but it cannot always tell us why it happened, who was responsible, or what the consequences might be. For example, a picture of a protest does not explain the reasons behind the protest. Written information is needed to provide this background.

In conclusion, I believe that pictures can be more effective than words for attracting attention and showing the reality of an event. However, words are equally important because they provide detailed information and explain the background. Therefore, using both pictures and words is the best way to present news.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. Each paragraph is well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of natural disasters and protests to illustrate the strengths and limitations of visual media. The ideas are extended logically, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your argument. To reach a higher band, you could aim to provide even more nuanced analysis, perhaps discussing how the combination of text and image creates a synergistic effect that goes beyond the sum of its parts.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the transition between the benefits of pictures and the necessity of words is smooth. You have used a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'However', and 'In conclusion'. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the referencing is clear throughout. The flow of the argument is natural, making the text very easy to follow. The structure is balanced and supports the development of your argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the task. Phrases like 'communicate information quickly', 'create strong emotions', and 'provide background' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is sufficient and precise, it is generally functional rather than sophisticated. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more precise collocations or less common lexical items related to media and communication, such as 'visual impact', 'contextualize', or 'narrative depth'. There are no spelling errors, and the word choice is consistently appropriate for the context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Although words are also important...', 'When people see an image...'). The grammar is highly accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of information. The majority of your sentences are error-free, which is a hallmark of a strong performance. To move into the highest band, you could experiment with more sophisticated grammatical structures, such as inversion or more varied conditional forms, while maintaining the current high level of accuracy.

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