Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-16
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 5.0)
Nowadays, an increasing number of tourists are choosing to visit places where living and travelling conditions are difficult, such as the sahara Desert and Antarctica. These destinations are very different from traditional holiday locations and can offer exciting experiences. However, travelling to such places also has several disadvantages, particularly related to safety, cost and the environment.
One of the main benefits of visiting difficult destination is that tourists can have unique and unforgettable experiences. people can see natural landscapes and wildlife that are not available in their own countries. For instance, visitors to antarctica can observe large glaciers, surrounding. Similarly, travelling through the sahara Desert allows tourists experiences vast sands dunes these make them more interesting.
Another disadvantage is the high cost of travelling to remote destinations. Special transportation, accommodations, safety equipment and professional guides can make such trips much more expensive than ordinary.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, reaching only 144 words. Consequently, the development of ideas is severely restricted. While the essay introduces both benefits and disadvantages, the discussion is underdeveloped and lacks the necessary depth and supporting examples required for a full response. The conclusion is entirely missing, and the points raised—such as the cost of travel—are mentioned but not elaborated upon. To improve, you must expand your arguments with specific details and ensure you address all parts of the prompt in a structured manner, including a clear introduction, body paragraphs with supporting evidence, and a concluding summary.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay shows some basic logical organization, with an introduction and separate paragraphs for benefits and disadvantages. However, the progression of ideas is interrupted by the premature ending of the text. Cohesive devices are used in a limited and somewhat mechanical way, such as 'One of the main benefits' and 'Another disadvantage'. The lack of a conclusion and the abrupt ending significantly impact the overall flow and coherence of the piece. To improve, ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and that you use a wider variety of linking words to connect your ideas more fluidly throughout the entire essay.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task but remains quite basic. There are some spelling errors, such as 'sahara' (should be capitalized) and 'antarctica' (should be capitalized). The range of vocabulary is limited, and there is little attempt to use less common or more sophisticated lexical items. Phrases like 'very different' and 'interesting' are quite generic. To achieve a higher band score, try to incorporate more precise and descriptive language related to the topic, such as 'inhospitable environments', 'logistical challenges', or 'unparalleled vistas', and ensure proper capitalization of proper nouns.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are noticeable errors in grammar and punctuation. For example, 'visiting difficult destination' should be 'visiting difficult destinations', and 'surrounding' is used incorrectly at the end of the sentence. There are also issues with sentence construction, such as 'these make them more interesting', which is grammatically awkward. While the errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to affect the overall quality. Focus on subject-verb agreement, pluralization, and ensuring that your complex sentences are constructed accurately.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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