Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-12

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 6.5)

It is often argued that news stories, not only on TV but also in newspapers, are described with the help of pictures, and according to some individuals, these pictures are more beneficial than words. I largely agree with this statement because it is helpful for older people and uneducated individuals.

One of the main advantages of giving pictures in newspapers is that it is often observed that elderly people not only have weak eyesight but also do not have enough knowledge about words. Therefore, they predict news by seeing the pictures. Moreover, uneducated individuals usually observe pictures on TV and in newspapers, which helps them to get information regarding their surroundings. Furthermore, people can better understand news with the assistance of pictures, as they can easily remember news. For example, a reader can read a book with more interest if a book contains pictures to describe the story. Hence, people can read news with full attention and interest.

However, words have their own importance, which cannot be overlooked. People can only get accurate and deep information regarding news with the help of text rather than with pictures. Sometimes pictures cannot describe news. For instance, the Indian newspaper, The Tribune, contains only one picture for each news item, and readers have to read all the words to better understand the news. Thus, words have their own importance.

In conclusion, although individuals need to read proper news to get authentic information, pictures cannot be ignored because these increase the interest of a reader and can help them remember the story for a long time.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position that pictures are beneficial while acknowledging the importance of text. The ideas are relevant, particularly the focus on accessibility for elderly and uneducated individuals. However, the development is somewhat limited. The example regarding 'The Tribune' is a bit simplistic, and the argument could be strengthened by discussing the emotional impact of imagery versus the analytical depth of text. While the position is clear throughout, the supporting arguments could be more nuanced to reach a higher band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover,' 'Furthermore,' 'However,' and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the advantages of pictures from the importance of text. The progression of ideas is generally smooth, although some transitions feel slightly mechanical. Overall, the structure is coherent and easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a solid band 7.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the writer to express their ideas clearly. There is some attempt to use less common vocabulary, such as 'authentic' and 'overlooked.' However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on repetitive phrasing (e.g., 'have their own importance' used twice in the same paragraph). To improve, the student should aim for more varied collocations and precise terminology related to media and communication to demonstrate a wider range of lexical control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the grammar is generally accurate and communication is never impeded, there are minor errors and some awkward phrasing, such as 'giving pictures in newspapers' (better: 'including images in newspapers') and 'predict news' (better: 'interpret news'). Complex structures are attempted, but the control is not entirely consistent. The punctuation is generally correct, and the sentence variety is sufficient to maintain a clear flow of information throughout the response.

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