Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-23

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)

News stories on television and in newspapers are frequently accompanied by pictures, and some people believe that these images are more effective than words. In my opinion, pictures can communicate information more quickly and create a stronger emotional response, although written descriptions remain essential for providing context.

Firstly, pictures allow people to understand an event almost instantly. A single image can show the scale of a natural disaster, the condition of a war-torn area, or the impact of an accident more clearly than several paragraphs of description. For example, photographs of floods showing submerged houses and stranded residents can immediately convey the seriousness of the situation to viewers. This is particularly useful for people who have limited time to read lengthy news reports.

However, words are generally more effective when detailed and accurate information is required. Pictures cannot always explain why an event happened, who was responsible, or what its consequences might be. Moreover, images can sometimes be misleading because they may be selected or presented in a way that influences public opinion. A carefully written report can therefore provide a more balanced understanding of an issue.

In conclusion, I believe pictures are more powerful for attracting attention and conveying the immediate impact of an event, while words are indispensable for explaining its background and significance. Therefore, combining both is the most effective approach to news reporting.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The essay addresses all parts of the prompt and maintains a clear position throughout. However, the response is 227 words, failing to meet the 250-word minimum requirement. This under-length significantly impacts the development of ideas, as the arguments, while logical, lack the depth and extended examples expected at higher bands. To improve, you should expand on your points—for instance, by providing a specific real-world example of a news event where a picture was misleading or where a written report provided crucial context that an image could not. The position is clear, but the brevity prevents a fully developed response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is well-structured with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Ideas are logically sequenced, moving from the benefits of pictures to the necessity of words. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'However', 'Moreover', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The progression of the argument is clear, and referencing is consistent throughout the text. The overall flow is natural and easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a higher band in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for the task, such as 'submerged', 'indispensable', 'significance', and 'convey'. The word choice is generally precise and contributes to a professional tone. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors. While the vocabulary is sufficient and accurate, it lacks the 'less common' or 'idiomatic' items that would push the score into the 8.0+ range. To improve, try incorporating more sophisticated collocations or nuanced synonyms to add greater depth to your arguments.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'although written descriptions remain essential...', 'because they may be selected...'). The grammar is highly accurate, with no noticeable errors in tense, subject-verb agreement, or punctuation. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over complex structures is consistent. While the range is good, incorporating a wider variety of advanced structures, such as inversion or more complex passive constructions, could further enhance the grammatical profile.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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