Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-14
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 5.5)
It is undeniable that newspaper and news stories are mostly accompanied by pictures and some people argue that these images are more effective than words. I am completely agree with this notion and I will explain my reasons in the upcoming paragraphs.
To begin with, there are a plenty of advantages of adding pictures with newspaper and news stories. The first and foremost benefit is that it adds values into news. In another word, if there is only words in newspaper then it would be boring and unattractive for the people to read. However, If an image is being used in the same news article then it would make it attractive and makes people to read. Moreover, people do not have to use their imagination as they would see pictures.
Another advantage is that news company do not have to use such a long paragraph to cover the page. The company can use images to fill the gap. Lastly, image story can help some people to understand who struggle to read or who has lack of language skills. However, the negative side is that company have to use more ink for the pictures and sometimes pictures may use more space and whole stories can not be added.
To conclude, although adding pictures into newspaper or news stories have some cons like more usage of ink or extra space for the pictures, I still believe that these pictures are more effective as it will offer more attractiveness and reduces the overall ugliness of words.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses the prompt by expressing a clear opinion, but the development of ideas is limited. While you mention that pictures add value and help those with limited language skills, these points are not fully extended or supported with specific examples. The discussion of the 'negative side' (ink usage and space) is somewhat tangential and does not directly address the core debate of effectiveness versus words. To improve, focus on providing more depth to your arguments, such as how visual imagery can convey complex emotions or immediate impact that text alone might struggle to achieve in a fast-paced news cycle.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'To begin with', 'Another advantage', 'Lastly'). There are also issues with referencing and flow; for instance, the transition between the benefits of pictures and the mention of 'ink usage' is abrupt and lacks a smooth logical connection. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph focuses on a single, well-developed idea would significantly enhance the overall coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. You rely on basic descriptors like 'boring', 'unattractive', and 'good'. There are also some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'adds values into news' (should be 'adds value to the news') and 'reduces the overall ugliness of words'. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary related to media and communication, and pay closer attention to natural word combinations and collocations.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow. Examples include 'I am completely agree' (should be 'I completely agree'), 'there are a plenty of advantages' (should be 'there are plenty of advantages'), and 'if there is only words' (should be 'if there are only words'). Subject-verb agreement and article usage are inconsistent throughout the text. Focusing on proofreading for these basic errors and attempting more varied, error-free complex sentences will help improve your score in this criterion.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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