Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

Nowadays, an increasing number of tourists are visiting places with difficult conditions, such as the Sahara Desert and Antarctica. Although travelling to these destinations can provide several benefits, it can also create some disadvantages for tourists.

One major benefit is that visiting difficult places can provide a unique and memorable experience. Tourists can see natural environments and wildlife that are not available in ordinary tourist destinations. For example, people who travel to Antarctica can see large glaciers, penguins and other animals in their natural environment. In addition, challenging trips can help people develop confidence and independence because they have to deal with unfamiliar conditions.

However, there are also some significant disadvantages. The most obvious problem is the risk to people's health and safety. Extremely hot or cold temperatures can be dangerous, especially for people who are not prepared for them. Furthermore, travelling to remote areas is usually expensive because tourists may need special equipment, experienced guides and suitable transportation. Another concern is the effect on the environment. A large number of visitors can produce waste and disturb wildlife in fragile ecosystems.

In conclusion, visiting places with difficult conditions can give tourists valuable experiences and opportunities to learn about nature. However, these trips can also be dangerous, expensive and harmful to the environment. Therefore, tourists should be well prepared and travel responsibly.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses both the benefits and disadvantages of visiting extreme locations. However, the essay is significantly under the 250-word minimum requirement, which limits the depth of the arguments. While the ideas are relevant, they are somewhat brief and lack the detailed development required for a higher band score. For instance, the point regarding 'developing confidence' is mentioned but not fully explored. To improve, you should expand on your examples and provide more nuanced analysis to ensure the response is sufficiently developed and meets the length requirement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

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. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'One major benefit', 'However', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion' effectively to link your points. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate a wider range of cohesive devices and ensure that the transition between sentences is more sophisticated, moving beyond simple additive or contrastive markers.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication. You use topic-specific terms like 'fragile ecosystems', 'natural environments', and 'remote areas' correctly. However, the range of vocabulary is somewhat limited and lacks the 'less common' items that would demonstrate a higher level of lexical control. To improve, try to incorporate more precise adjectives and collocations, such as 'hospitable environments' or 'environmental degradation', to show a greater flexibility in your word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

Your grammar is generally accurate, and the text is free of major errors that impede communication. You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the use of 'Although' clauses and relative clauses. The punctuation is also handled well. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to include a greater variety of complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences or passive voice constructions, and ensure that your sentence variety is more consistent throughout the essay.

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

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