Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-21

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 7.5)

These days, news stories and newspapers are increasingly incorporating pictures. This trend is gaining popularity as people move away from text-heavy content. In the past, news articles typically included only a single image, if any. However, I think that utilizing images is a more effective approach to engaging audiences.

Modern audiences struggle with attention spans and often lack the focus to delve into lengthy text without visuals. This can lead to a lack of interest in reading or watching content that relies solely on words. Visual content, on the other hand, is more readily processed and currently enjoys greater popularity. For example, many news channels have established social media presences specifically for creating short videos and image-based content that can capture viewers’ attention. Channels utilizing pictures and videos tend to see higher engagement compared to those relying solely on textual content.

Another factor to consider is the busy lifestyles of today’s population. Many people lack the time to meticulously read an entire newspaper from start to finish. Instead, they rely on newspaper visuals and images to gain a basic understanding of current events. This allows them to stay informed about the world around them, even with limited time. For example, working individuals with tight schedules still desire to stay connected to global happenings. Images paired with news headlines provide them with a quick grasp of current events.

In conclusion, as the world becomes increasingly fast-paced, time constraints and attention lapses are becoming more prevalent. People seek information readily accessible and require minimal effort to process. This is why I believe the use of pictures in news stories is on the rise.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the task and maintains a clear position throughout. You have successfully argued that images are more effective than text due to modern attention spans and time constraints. The ideas are well-developed, with relevant examples provided for each point, such as the mention of social media channels and the needs of busy working individuals. To reach a higher band, you could further extend your arguments by briefly acknowledging the potential limitations of images, such as the risk of oversimplification, to provide a more balanced and nuanced perspective on the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

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 smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'However', 'on the other hand', and 'Instead'. The referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate. The flow of the argument is consistent, making the text easy to follow. To improve, ensure that the transition between the second and third paragraphs is slightly more seamless to enhance the overall logical flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your ideas with precision. Phrases like 'incorporating pictures', 'delve into', 'meticulously read', and 'fast-paced' are used appropriately. There is an awareness of style, and the vocabulary choice is generally natural. While the range is adequate for the task, incorporating more sophisticated or less common collocations would elevate the response. For instance, instead of 'gaining popularity', you could use 'gaining traction' or 'becoming increasingly prevalent' to show more flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response displays a good variety of complex structures, such as 'This trend is gaining popularity as people move away from text-heavy content' and 'Images paired with news headlines provide them with a quick grasp of current events.' The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is solid. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. To aim for a higher band, try to incorporate a wider range of advanced grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences or passive voice constructions, to demonstrate greater flexibility.

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