Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-19

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 7.0)

It is common for media to include images alongside written articles in news papers and on television news. Some people claim that visuals communicate information better than written text. I strongly believe, however, that words are more effective because they provide detailed context and are more reliable. This essay will explain this trend with examples below.

Firstly, Pictures provide only the rough idea of the scenario, whereas the words can deliver the entire situation clearly and completely. For example, Someone who sees a photograph of the floods in Nepal in a newspaper may not know how many people died or survived, how long the flood lasts or how the government is supporting the affected communities. Therefore, a written report can provide these facts along with some expert opinions and background information.

Secondly, images can mislead people easily with some sort of inaccurate data. For instance, Iran had released a photo showing four missiles launched at the same time. It was later revealed that one missile was digitally added inorder to hide the one which failed to launch. Therefore, people can be misinterpreted by solely depending on images which are displayed in newspapers and on Television news.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that words are more effective than pictures because they provide detailed context and are more reliable. Although images attract quickly, they cannot replace accurate and well written reports. Therefore, news organisations should use pictures only as a supporting tool along with written articles and verbal news.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

Your position is clear from the introduction to the conclusion: you argue that words are more effective because they provide context and are more reliable. Both reasons are relevant and supported with examples, including the Nepal flood report and the altered missile photograph. This addresses the task and shows a clear line of argument. However, the response contains 247 words, so it falls three words short of the required minimum. Also, the discussion could be developed further: for example, explain more explicitly how written reporting can be checked or why images may still be especially effective in conveying immediate human impact. These additions would make the support more fully developed rather than relying on broad claims.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay is organised clearly into an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion, with each body paragraph presenting a distinct reason for your opinion. Sequencing is easy to follow, and signposts such as “Firstly,” “Secondly,” and “In conclusion” help readers track the argument. The examples are placed appropriately after the claims they support. To strengthen cohesion further, reduce reliance on formulaic transitions and make links between ideas more explicit. For instance, the second paragraph could explain how the missile example demonstrates the broader problem of image manipulation, while the conclusion could synthesise both reasons rather than mainly repeat them. Overall, progression is clear, though some linking remains somewhat predictable.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a suitable range of topic vocabulary, including “visuals,” “detailed context,” “expert opinions,” “affected communities,” and “digitally added.” These choices communicate your argument clearly, and there are attempts at more precise language. Some collocations and word choices are less natural, however: “Pictures provide only the rough idea” would be more idiomatic as “images provide only a general impression,” and “people can be misinterpreted” does not express the intended meaning as clearly as “people can be misled.” There are also spelling and form issues such as “news papers,” “inorder,” and capitalising “Pictures” mid-sentence. Greater consistency and more natural collocations would add the flexibility and precision needed for a stronger performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

You use a range of sentence forms, including contrast clauses (“whereas the words can deliver…”) and a complex example sentence beginning “Someone who sees a photograph…”. Many sentences are controlled and easy to understand, and punctuation generally supports the meaning. A few grammatical slips remain. In “how long the flood lasts,” the tense should match the past event (“lasted”); “Iran had released a photo showing four missiles launched” would be clearer as “Iran released a photo that showed four missiles being launched”; and “news organisations should use pictures only as a supporting tool” would be more natural with the plural “tools” or a rephrasing. Review tense consistency and sentence construction while retaining your varied structures.

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