Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-14

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)

Nowadays, an increasing number of tourist are travelling to remote or challenging destinations, such as Sahara dessert or Antarctic. Although these trips can provide valuable experiences, they also have several disadvantages.

One major benefit of visiting difficult places is that tourists can experience something completely different from their normal lives. They can see unique landscapes, wildlife and natural environments that are not available in ordinary tourist destinations. For example, people who visit Antarctica can observe huge glaciers, penguins and other animals in their natural surroundings. In addition, such journeys can help people become more independent and confident because they have to deal with unfamiliar weather and difficult conditions. These experiences can also create unforgettable memories.

However, travelling to those destinations can be dangerous and expensive. Extreme temperatures, strong winds and limited medical facilities may put tourist's health and safety at risk. If someone becomes injured or seriously ill, it may be difficult to receive immediate medical treatment. Furthermore, travelling to remote areas often requires special equipment, experienced guides and expensive transportation. Another concern is the environmental impact. A large number of visitors can produce waste and disturb wildlife, especially in fragile ecosystems such as Antarctica.

In my opinion, visiting challenging destinations can be highly rewarding if tourists are properly prepared. They should follow safety instructions, travel with experienced guides and respect the local environment. Government and tourism companies should also control the number of visitors to protect these places.

In conclusion, travelling to difficult destinations offers tourists unique experience and opportunities to develop confidence, but it can also involves serious safety, financial and environmental problems. Hence, careful planning and responsible tourism are essential.

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 remote locations. The position is clear throughout, and the ideas are well-supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of Antarctica's glaciers and the logistical challenges of medical care. The development is logical, moving from the personal benefits to the risks and environmental concerns. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more depth in the conclusion or offer a more nuanced discussion on the balance between tourism and conservation, but the current response is well-balanced and fully satisfies the task requirements.

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 easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'However', 'Furthermore', and 'Hence' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the referencing is clear. The flow is smooth, and the structure supports the reader's understanding of the argument without any mechanical or repetitive issues.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the topic. The student uses topic-specific terms like 'fragile ecosystems', 'logistical challenges', and 'natural surroundings' effectively. There are some minor spelling errors, such as 'tourist' instead of 'tourists' and 'dessert' instead of 'desert'. While the range is adequate to convey ideas with precision, it lacks the more sophisticated, idiomatic, or less common lexical items that would characterize a higher band. However, the word choice is generally accurate and does not impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is generally good control over grammar and punctuation. However, there are a few minor errors, such as 'an increasing number of tourist' (should be 'tourists') and 'it can also involves' (should be 'it can also involve'). These are non-systematic errors that do not hinder the reader's understanding. The majority of the sentences are error-free, and the use of complex structures is consistent, showing a solid command of English grammar.

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

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