Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-06
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 tourists have started visiting places with extreme weather and difficult conditions, such as the Sahara Desert and Antarctica. Although travelling to these destinations offers several advantages, it also has some disadvantages.
On the one hand, visiting remote places provides people with a unique and memorable experience. Many tourists enjoy exploring untouched natural environments that are very different from their everyday lives. For example, travelers to Antarctica can see glaciers, penguins, and other wildlife that cannot be found in most parts of the world. Such trips also help people learn about nature, climate, and different ecosystems. In addition, adventure tourism allows visitors to challenge themselves physically and mentally, which can increase their confidence and create unforgettable memories.
On the other hand, travelling to these locations can be risky and expensive. Harsh weather conditions, limited medical facilities, and difficult transportation may put tourists in danger if they are not well prepared. For instance, visitors in the Sahara Desert may suffer from dehydration or heatstroke because of the extreme temperatures. Another disadvantage is the environmental impact. A growing number of tourists can damage fragile ecosystems by leaving waste, disturbing wildlife, or increasing pollution through transportation. This is especially harmful in protected areas like Antarctica, where nature is highly sensitive to human activities.
In conclusion, travelling to places with difficult conditions offers exciting experiences and valuable learning opportunities. However, it also involves safety risks and may harm the environment if tourism is not managed responsibly. Therefore, visitors should prepare carefully and respect local rules to protect these unique destinations for future generations.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly identifying both the benefits and disadvantages of extreme tourism. The ideas are relevant and well-supported with specific examples, such as the mention of glaciers and penguins for benefits, and dehydration or environmental damage for disadvantages. The position is clear throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the main points. To reach a higher band, the student could further develop the 'benefits' section by exploring the psychological or societal impact of such travel in greater depth, as the current development is somewhat concise.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The progression of ideas is smooth, moving logically from the positive aspects to the negative consequences. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'In addition', and 'Another disadvantage' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a central theme. The flow is natural, and the relationship between ideas is consistently clear throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses topic-specific terminology such as 'extreme weather', 'fragile ecosystems', 'dehydration', and 'heatstroke' accurately. While the range is adequate to convey ideas precisely, it lacks a high degree of sophistication or 'less common' lexical items that would characterize a higher band. The word choices are generally accurate, and there are no spelling errors that impede communication. To improve, the student could incorporate more nuanced collocations or academic synonyms to enhance the overall tone.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The response demonstrates a good command of grammar. There is a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses ('if they are not well prepared') and subordinate clauses ('although travelling to these destinations...'). The sentences are generally error-free, and punctuation is used correctly. The control over complex structures is consistent, and there are no significant grammatical errors that hinder the reader's understanding. The writing is clear and demonstrates a high level of accuracy throughout.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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