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IELTSbiz
All Task 2 topics
2 graded answers · band 6–7

Some people feel that the private lives of celebrities should not be openly shared by the media. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

2 IELTSbiz learners have answered this Task 2 question and had it marked on the four official criteria; bands ranged from 6 to 7, with a median of Band 6.5. Compare the answers below to see exactly what the higher bands did differently.

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These are learner answers, not model answers — including the ones that scored well. Read them for what the criteria reward and punish, not as text to copy. A memorised essay attached to a slightly different question scores worse than an honest attempt, and examiners recognise recited material quickly.

Band 7 answer

260 words
  • Task Response7
  • Lexical Resource7
  • Grammatical Range & Accuracy7
  • Coherence & Cohesion7

Some people believe that the media should not report on celebrities’ private lives. While this practice can reduce their influence on fans, especially among young people, I believe that celebrities' private lives should largely remain private, as media coverage can constitute an invasion of privacy and negatively affect their mental well-being. Admittedly, keeping public figures’ private lives open can maintain their fame and influence among individuals. It is common knowledge that a lot of young people are naturally interested in public figures’ personal lives and draw motivation from them. For example, a boy who dreams of becoming a professional football player can be encouraged by famous players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. By following them on social media, he can learn more about the football environment and what it takes to succeed in the sport at the highest professional level. Moreover, , learning about celebrities’ professional experiences does not require the media to reveal intimate details of their personal lives. Conversely, I strongly believe that celebrities’ personal lives should remain private to protect their mental health and fundamental rights. Continuous exposure can lead to extreme stress, eventually negatively affecting their well-being. For instance, social media is flooded with misinformation and false stories, causing myriads of unfair judgments and negative comments across the internet. It is hard to survive in a society where people judge each other without any clear evidence. In conclusion, although exposing the personal routines of famous individuals can inspire young people, I firmly maintain that the media should refrain from intruding on their private lives.

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Band 6 answer

251 words
  • Task Response6
  • Lexical Resource6
  • Grammatical Range & Accuracy6
  • Coherence & Cohesion6

There is a view that the most effective way to protect celebrities' privacy is to avoid posting about their private lives on social media. While this practice can reduce their influence on fans, especially among young people, believe that celebrities' private lives should largely remain private, as media coverage can constitute an invasion of privacy and negatively affect their mental well-being. Admittedly, keeping public figures’ private lives open can maintain their fame and influence among individuals. It is common knowledge that a lot of the young people are naturally interested in public figures’ personal lives and get motivation from them. For example, a boy who dreams of becoming a professional football player can be encouraged by famous players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. By following them on social media, he can learn more about the football environment and what it takes to succeed in the sport at the highest professional level. Conversely, I strongly believe that celebrities’ personal lives should remain private to protect their mental health and fundamental rights. Continuous exposure can lead to extreme stress eventually negatively affecting to their well-being. For instance, social media is flooded misinformation and false stories, causing myriads of unnecessary judgments and negative opinions across social media. It is hard to survive in a society where people judge each other without any clear evidence. In conclusion, although exposing the personal routines of famous individuals can inspire young people, I firmly maintain that the media should refrain from intruding into their private lives.

Read the full answer and the examiner's feedback

About this question

What band do answers to this IELTS question usually get?

Across 2 graded answers on IELTSbiz, bands ranged from 6 to 7, with a median of Band 6.5. Each was marked on Task Response, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range & Accuracy.

What separates the Band 7 answer from the Band 6 answer?

The largest difference is Task Response: 7 in the Band 7 answer against 6 in the Band 6 answer. Open each answer to read the examiner's reason for every criterion.

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