Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-23

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 7.0)

In this cutting-edge era, more and more people prefer to visit extraordinary places where conditions are difficult, such as deserts and the Antarctic. Although visiting such destinations can provide tourists with several benefits, it can also have certain disadvantages. This essay will discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of travelling to such places.

To begin with, there are several benefits of visiting deserts or the Antarctic. First and foremost, these regions are generally considered difficult-to-reach destinations, but some people enjoy visiting them because they have the opportunity to explore unique landscapes, wildlife and environments that are different from those found in other parts of the world. In addition, tourists who have an enthusiasm for adventure may enjoy experiencing extreme weather conditions and discovering new habitats. For example, visitors to the Sahara Desert can experience its vast landscapes and observe wildlife that they may not encounter in their everyday lives. Thus, many people are attracted to such destinations because they seek adventure and new experiences.

On the contrary, visiting places with extreme conditions can also have several disadvantages. Primarily, the weather conditions can sometimes be much harsher than tourists expect, which may have a serious impact on their health. Extreme cold, heat and a lack of suitable facilities can cause physical problems, particularly for people who are not prepared for such environments. Moreover, travelling to remote areas can be dangerous because medical facilities and other essential services may be far away. For instance, tourists visiting the Antarctic need appropriate clothing, equipment and professional guidance to protect themselves from extremely low temperatures. Therefore, people should carefully consider the potential risks before travelling to such destinations.

To encapsulate, although visiting places such as the Sahara Desert and the Antarctic can provide tourists with opportunities to experience unique environments and enjoy adventurous activities, these destinations can also pose serious risks because of their extreme weather and remote locations. Therefore, tourists should prepare adequately and take appropriate safety measures before visiting such places.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both the benefits and disadvantages of tourists visiting difficult locations like deserts and the Antarctic. The position is clear throughout the essay, beginning with the introduction and maintained across the body paragraphs. Ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as mentioning the vast landscapes of the Sahara Desert and the need for appropriate clothing and professional guidance in the Antarctic. The essay meets all requirements of the task effectively, earning a solid Band 7.0 for addressing all parts with a clear position and well-supported ideas, although further depth in exploring the psychological or economic impacts could push it even higher.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response demonstrates a clear logical organization and progression throughout. The essay is appropriately divided into four distinct paragraphs, featuring a clear introduction, two balanced body paragraphs addressing benefits and disadvantages separately, and a summarizing conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively and flexibly, as seen in transition markers like 'To begin with', 'In addition', 'On the contrary', and 'To encapsulate'. Paragraphing is well-managed, and the referencing of ideas remains clear from start to finish. There is no faulty or mechanical cohesion that disrupts the flow, justifying a strong Band 7.5 score for this criterion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates an adequate to good range of vocabulary suited for the task. Less common lexical items and phrases are used with some awareness of style and collocation, such as 'cutting-edge era', 'difficult-to-reach destinations', 'extreme weather conditions', and 'potential risks'. Word choice is generally accurate, and spelling is correct throughout. While the vocabulary is functional and allows the writer to convey ideas precisely, it occasionally relies on somewhat standard phrasing rather than highly sophisticated or nuanced terms. Therefore, this performance fits comfortably within the Band 7.0 descriptor.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional or relative clauses like 'tourists who have an enthusiasm for adventure' and 'wildlife that they may not encounter in their everyday lives'. There is a high frequency of error-free sentences, and control of grammar and punctuation is strong overall. Minor slips are extremely rare, and communication is never impeded. The grammatical control demonstrated throughout the text warrants a Band 7.5, reflecting a strong command of complex sentence forms with only occasional minor imperfections.

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