More and more people nowadays visit well-known places to take photographs of themselves, without looking at the place. Why do you think this is happening? Is it a positive or a negative trend?
Sample Response
In recent years, many tourists have prioritised capturing selfies over genuinely experiencing the places they visit. This phenomenon can be attributed to the influence of social media, the pursuit of social validation, and the changing nature of tourism. The overall impact of this trend is largely negative, in my opinion.
A primary reason for this behaviour is the rise of social media platforms, where individuals seek recognition through likes, shares, and comments. Tourists are often more focused on curating an online persona rather than appreciating cultural or historical significance. This is why they are more interested in capturing their own pictures rather than truly appreciating and experiencing a tourist spot. They want to show people that they have been to a place rather than exploring the culture and way of life of that place. Furthermore, modern tourism is increasingly driven by visual content, as popular destinations are frequently marketed through aesthetically pleasing images, encouraging visitors to replicate these visuals rather than immerse themselves in their surroundings.
In my opinion, this is largely a negative trend as it diminishes the cultural and educational value of travel. Instead of learning about historical landmarks or engaging with local communities, tourists often remain preoccupied with achieving the perfect photograph. Furthermore, this behaviour contributes to overcrowding and environmental degradation. Many travellers flock to scenic spots purely for social media content, leading to excessive foot traffic and pollution. For example, iconic sites like Machu Picchu have implemented visitor restrictions due to damage caused by excessive tourism.
In conclusion, the increasing tendency to prioritise photographs over genuine experiences stems from the influence of social media and the evolving nature of tourism. However, this trend undermines the essence of travel and leads to environmental concerns.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Complete comparison structure Original: more focused on curating an online persona rather than appreciating Suggested revision: more focused on curating an online persona than on appreciating Why it matters: More focused on requires the parallel comparative pattern than on.
- 2. Clarify what matters Original: cultural or historical significance Suggested revision: the cultural or historical significance of a place Why it matters: The added noun phrase makes clear what possesses the significance.
- 3. Use concise transition Original: This is why Suggested revision: Consequently Why it matters: Consequently links the stated social-media focus to the resulting behaviour more directly.
- 4. Clarify selfie meaning Original: capturing their own pictures Suggested revision: photographing themselves Why it matters: Photographing themselves clearly conveys that the tourists are taking self-portraits.
- 5. Use precise reference Original: a tourist spot Suggested revision: the destination Why it matters: The destination refers directly to the place the tourists are visiting.
- 6. Use concise reference Original: people Suggested revision: others Why it matters: Others is a more concise reference to people outside the travelling group.
- 7. Use consistent reference Original: these visuals Suggested revision: those images Why it matters: Images matches the noun used earlier and gives the reference greater lexical consistency.
- 8. Use natural collocation Original: achieving Suggested revision: capturing Why it matters: A photograph is captured or taken rather than achieved.
- 9. Use formal example marker Original: iconic sites like Suggested revision: iconic sites such as Why it matters: Such as is the more formal marker for the example that follows.
- 10. State the effect precisely Original: leads to environmental concerns Suggested revision: causes environmental harm Why it matters: Environmental harm describes the stated damage more precisely than concerns.
- 11. Sentence rewrite Original: The overall impact of this trend is largely negative, in my opinion. Suggested revision: In my opinion, the overall impact of this trend is largely negative. Why it matters: Placing the viewpoint marker first removes the awkward interruption at the end of the claim.
Suggested Rewrites
- more focused on curating an online persona rather than appreciating more focused on curating an online persona than on appreciating
- cultural or historical significance the cultural or historical significance of a place
- This is why Consequently
- capturing their own pictures photographing themselves
- a tourist spot the destination
- people others
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response directly answers both questions, maintains a clear negative position, and develops its reasoning through relevant discussion of social media, cultural disengagement, overcrowding, and environmental damage. Its main limitation is slight overlap between the explanations of online validation and visually driven tourism; the highest-priority improvement is to distinguish these causes more sharply and extend the second one with a more specific explanation.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both parts are fully addressed through a clear position, relevant causes, and well-developed negative consequences supported by an apt example.
Develop the visually driven nature of modern tourism as a more distinct cause instead of letting it overlap with social-media validation.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas progress logically through well-focused paragraphs, and cohesive devices guide the reader smoothly with only minor repetition.
Vary the transitions between supporting points so repeated connectors do not make the progression feel slightly formulaic.
Lexical Resource
A wide and precise vocabulary is used fluently to discuss online behaviour, tourism, culture, and environmental effects.
Replace the few general or repeated expressions about photographs and experiences with more exact contextual wording.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Complex and simple sentence forms are varied confidently, with consistently accurate grammar and punctuation throughout.
Refine the occasional densely packed sentence by balancing its clauses more evenly for maximum clarity and emphasis.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
More and more people nowadays visit well-known places to take photographs of themselves, without looking at the place. Why do you think this is happening? Is it a positive or a negative trend?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.