Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-07-30

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Today more and more tourists are visiting places where conditions are difficult, such as the Sahara desert or the Antarctic.

What are the benefits and disadvantages for tourists who visit such places?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

 

Student answer (Band 7.5)

In recent years, an increasing number of travellers have chosen to visit the challenging tourist attractions. Although these places offer an extraordinary experience and personal growth, there is a high possibility of facing unknown risks which I will discuss in the following paragraphs.

A significant benefit of visiting challenging attractions is that it brings the opportunity to explore breathtaking landscapes and the natural beauty of untouched places as very few people get the chance to explore them. These unique trips enable tourists to witness the spectacular scenery, observe rare species of wildlife and gain a deep experience of connection and appreciation for nature. Moreover, visiting such difficult attractions helps an individual to develop adaptability and problem-solving skills which are useful in their future growth. For instance, visiting the Sahara Desert can be a life-changing experience for some but it increases awareness for people who wish to explore it.

However, visiting these destinations also have several drawbacks. The most obvious disadvantage is the potential danger from sudden temperature change, unpredictable natural disasters, limited understanding of such places and fewer medical resources. Also, It could be fragile for nature if tourists make changes out of curiosity and further disturb the wildlife and increase damage and pollution. Also, some sites are unusually expensive to visit and require a special tour guide to explore the areas. For example, visiting Antarctica needs special permission which requires significant funds and there are some limitations as there are very few resources of hospitality and convenience.

Overall, although travelling to difficult attractions provides a useful and unforgettable experience that provides valuable life lessons, it also involves risk and environmental concerns. Therefore, tourists should carefully prepare for such a journey and behave responsibly by minimizing their contribution to the damage and harm. Neglecting this may pose serious concerns and threats to the uniqueness of the natural resources.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, identifying both benefits and disadvantages of visiting extreme environments. The position is clear throughout, and the ideas are generally well-supported. For instance, the benefits section touches on personal growth and appreciation for nature, while the drawbacks section covers safety, environmental impact, and financial costs. To reach a higher band, the development of ideas could be more nuanced; for example, the point about 'problem-solving skills' is mentioned but not fully explained in the context of extreme tourism. Overall, the response provides a balanced and relevant discussion that meets the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the benefits from the drawbacks. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'However', and 'For instance' are used to guide the reader through the argument. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the use of referencing could be more varied. Nevertheless, the progression of ideas is clear, and the essay maintains a consistent focus on the topic throughout, ensuring that the reader can follow the argument without difficulty.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning with some precision. The student uses topic-specific terms like 'breathtaking landscapes', 'unpredictable natural disasters', and 'fragile for nature'. There are some minor issues with collocation, such as 'gain a deep experience of connection' or 'visiting these destinations also have several drawbacks' (subject-verb agreement error). While the range is adequate for the task, the use of less common lexical items is somewhat limited. Expanding the vocabulary to include more sophisticated collocations would help elevate the score in this criterion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is good control over basic grammar, but some errors persist, particularly with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'visiting these destinations also have several drawbacks') and article usage. Punctuation is generally accurate, though there are occasional slips. The student attempts complex structures, which are mostly successful, but the frequency of minor errors prevents a higher score. Increasing the variety of complex sentence forms and ensuring consistent grammatical accuracy would improve the overall quality of the writing.

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