Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-17

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)

The number of tourists travelling to remote and inhospitable destinations, such as the Sahara Desert and Antarctica, has increased considerably in recent years. Although visiting such places can provide travellers with unique experiences and valuable opportunities to learn about the natural world, it also involves considerable risks and can have negative environmental consequences.

One major benefit of visiting extreme environments is the opportunity to experience landscapes and ecosystems that are vastly different from those found in ordinary tourist destinations. For instance, a trip to the Sahara can allow visitors to witness enormous sand dunes, while travelling to Antarctica provides an opportunity to observe wildlife in its natural habitat. Such experiences can broaden people's understanding of the planet and make them more aware of the importance of protecting fragile ecosystems. In addition, tourism can generate income for local communities and businesses. Tour operators, accommodation providers and transport companies can all benefit from an increase in visitors, creating employment opportunities in otherwise isolated regions.

However, travelling to such destinations also has significant disadvantages. The most obvious is the physical danger involved. Extreme temperatures, limited access to medical facilities and unpredictable weather can put tourists at considerable risk, particularly if they are inexperienced or inadequately prepared. Furthermore, increased tourism can place additional pressure on environments that are already extremely vulnerable. Visitors may leave waste behind, disturb wildlife or damage natural habitats. In Antarctica, for example, even relatively small-scale human activity can have consequences for species and ecosystems that have evolved in exceptionally isolated conditions. Transporting large numbers of tourists to remote areas can also increase carbon emissions, potentially contributing to the environmental problems that tourism itself may ultimately worsen.

In conclusion, visiting challenging destinations can offer tourists unforgettable experiences, greater environmental awareness and economic benefits for local communities. Nevertheless, these advantages must be weighed against the risks to visitors and the potential damage to fragile ecosystems. Strict regulations and responsible tourism practices are therefore essential if such destinations are to remain accessible without being harmed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly identified both the benefits (unique experiences, environmental awareness, and economic support for local communities) and the disadvantages (physical danger and environmental degradation). The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the Sahara and Antarctica. Your position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the main points while suggesting a balanced approach. The response is well-structured and demonstrates a clear understanding of the task requirements, providing a comprehensive answer that remains focused on the topic from start to finish.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving smoothly from benefits to disadvantages and concluding with a balanced summary. You make effective use of cohesive devices such as 'For instance,' 'In addition,' 'However,' and 'Furthermore,' which help to guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the text. Referencing is precise, and the flow between sentences is natural, ensuring that the reader can easily follow your line of reasoning throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision and natural control. Phrases such as 'inhospitable destinations,' 'fragile ecosystems,' 'exceptionally isolated conditions,' and 'ultimately worsen' show a high level of lexical sophistication. The word choices are consistently appropriate for the academic tone of the task. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and your ability to use topic-specific terminology effectively enhances the quality of your writing. The vocabulary is varied and contributes significantly to the clarity and impact of your arguments.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences, conditional clauses, and passive constructions, all of which are used with high accuracy. For example, the sentence 'Transporting large numbers of tourists to remote areas can also increase carbon emissions, potentially contributing to the environmental problems that tourism itself may ultimately worsen' is grammatically complex and error-free. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, demonstrating a strong command of English grammar and syntax.

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