Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-31
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 8.0)
In recent years, more and more tourists are choosing to visit extreme places like the Sahara desert or Antarctica. While this kind of travel can be exciting and memorable, it also comes with risks and downsides. This essay will discuss the benefits and disadvantages for visitors to such places.
On the positive side, visiting these unusual destinations offers a unique experience that most people will never have. For example, seeing the wide, empty desert or the pure white ice of Antarctica can be truly unforgettable. Travellers often feel a great sense of pride and achievement after completing such a difficult journey. These trips also help people learn more about the natural world and understand why it is important to protect these fragile environments. Some tourists even become more interested in environmental issues after seeing the effects of climate change firsthand.
However, there are several clear disadvantages. First, these places are very dangerous. Tourists may face extreme heat, cold, or strong winds, and getting lost or injured is a real possibility. Medical help is usually far away, so even a small problem can become serious. Second, these trips are very expensive, so not everyone can afford them. Finally, tourism itself can harm these sensitive areas. For instance, too many visitors can disturb wildlife, leave rubbish, or damage the land.
In conclusion, travelling to extreme places offers amazing experiences and personal growth, but the risks to safety and the environment are significant. In my opinion, people should only go if they are well-prepared and choose tour companies that care about protecting nature.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, identifying both benefits and disadvantages of visiting extreme environments. The position is clear throughout, and the ideas are well-developed. For instance, the benefits section covers personal achievement and environmental awareness, while the disadvantages section touches on safety, cost, and ecological impact. The ideas are extended with relevant examples, such as the mention of climate change and the specific risks of extreme weather. The response is balanced and directly answers the question, meeting the requirements for a high band score.
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 topic, and the progression of ideas is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'On the positive side', 'However', 'First', 'Second', and 'Finally' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the benefits from the disadvantages. 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 a range of topic-specific terms such as 'unusual destinations', 'fragile environments', 'sensitive areas', and 'firsthand'. The control of word choice is generally precise, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band, but it comfortably meets the requirements for a band 7.0 by demonstrating flexibility and precision.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'While this kind of travel can be exciting and memorable, it also comes with risks and downsides.' The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is used correctly. The control over complex structures is consistent, and the few minor errors that might occur are non-systematic. The writing is clear, accurate, and easy to follow, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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