IELTS Writing Task 2: Language of Media - Band 9.0 Sample Answers

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Band 9.0 sample answers about media language must demonstrate sophisticated vocabulary, precise task achievement, cohesive paragraph structure, and error-free grammar. This page contains 4 model responses at different score bands (6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0) with detailed scoring breakdowns.

Full Prompt (Based on IELTS Writing Task 2 Task Type 4)

Some people believe that the language of media has become more informal and less respectful. Others argue that media language has evolved to be more engaging and accessible. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Sample Answers

Band 6.0 Answer

**Media language has changed a lot in recent years. Some people think it has become more informal. They say that media uses slang and short forms, like 'LOL' or 'BTW.' This can be disrespectful, especially when talking to important people. Also, news and social media often use strong language to get attention, which can be negative.

On the other hand, others believe media language is better now. They think it is more engaging and easier to understand. For example, using simpler words and shorter sentences can help people understand the news better. Social media also uses emojis and memes to make communication more fun.

In my opinion, media language should be a balance. It should be respectful but also engaging. Using formal language for serious topics is important, but informal language can be good for casual conversations.**

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Achievement (5.0): The response presents a limited but pertinent discussion of the views presented. Some relevant, supporting ideas are offered, but these are limited and/or not sufficiently developed.
• Coherence and Cohesion (5.0): The information is logically organized but there may be some unclear logical or conceptual relationships between sentences. The use of cohesive devices is attempted but may be inaccurate or mechanical.
• Lexical Resource (6.0): The range of vocabulary is sufficient to allow some flexibility and precision, though there may be some repetition and inappropriacy of lexical choice.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (6.0): The candidate uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but there are some frequent errors in grammar and punctuation.

Band 7.0 Answer

**The evolution of media language has sparked intense debate. Proponents of the viewpoint that media language has grown more informal point to the pervasive use of colloquialisms, abbreviations, and emotive expressions. Critics argue that this trend undermines professionalism and fosters disrespect, particularly in formal contexts. For instance, the use of phrases like 'fake news' to disparage legitimate journalism exemplifies this erosion of decorum.

Conversely, advocates of accessible media language contend that this shift enhances engagement and comprehension. By employing conversational language and multimedia elements, media outlets can connect with diverse audiences. A notable example is the BBC's use of plain language in its news broadcasts, which has broadened its reach to include non-native English speakers.

In my view, the key lies in striking a balance. While informal language can make media more relatable, it should not come at the expense of accuracy and respect. Media outlets should adapt their language to suit the context and audience, ensuring that professionalism is maintained where appropriate.**

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Achievement (7.0): The response addresses all parts of the task. Presents a clear position throughout the response. Presents, extends, and supports main trends, differences, or implications but there may be some overgeneralization or supporting ideas being unjustified.
• Coherence and Cohesion (7.0): Uses a mix of cohesive devices appropriately although there may be some flaws in the logical sequence of sentences.
• Lexical Resource (7.0): Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision. There may be occasional misuse of words and some incorrect word choice.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (7.0): Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. Makes only occasional errors in grammar and punctuation. Some sentences may be too short or too long.

Band 8.0 Answer

**The linguistics of media communication have undergone a profound transformation, with proponents of informality citing increased audience engagement as a primary benefit. This school of thought argues that the adoption of colloquial expressions and digital shorthand fosters a sense of immediacy and relatability. For example, news outlets employing Twitter's 280-character limit often use contractions and informal language to convey complex information concisely. Furthermore, the integration of multimedia elements like memes and GIFs has revolutionized how audiences consume and interact with content.

Critics, however, contend that this linguistic shift has deleterious effects on societal discourse. They posit that the ubiquitous use of informal language erodes professional standards and encourages a culture of disrespect. A case in point is the increasing prevalence of ad hominem attacks and hyperbolic rhetoric in political commentary, which can polarize public opinion and hinder constructive dialogue.

In my estimation, the optimal approach lies in contextual adaptability. While informality can enhance accessibility, media professionals must remain vigilant in maintaining linguistic precision and ethical standards. Establishing clear guidelines for language use, tailored to specific platforms and audiences, would strike an appropriate balance between engagement and professionalism.**

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Achievement (8.0): Presents a clear position throughout the response. Presents, extends, and supports main trends, differences, or implications with some development. Uses relevant, underpinning facts and extends and supports ideas but there may be some unevenness in the treatment of the task.
• Coherence and Cohesion (8.0): Uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention. Uses paragraphs appropriately and seamlessly. Logical flow between sentences and ideas is clear.
• Lexical Resource (8.0): Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision. There may be occasional misuse of words and some incorrect word choice.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (8.0): Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features; rare minor errors occur only as slips.

Band 9.0 Answer

**The metamorphosis of media discourse has catalyzed polarized perspectives regarding linguistic norms. Advocates of informality extol the virtues of heightened engagement, asserting that the eschewing of traditional linguistic conventions fosters inclusivity and approachability. This paradigm is epitomized by the meteoric rise of platforms like TikTok, where users employ vernacular expressions and non-standard grammar to cultivate authenticity and rapport. Moreover, the strategic deployment of visual and auditory cues in digital media has democratized information consumption, rendering complex narratives more digestible for diverse demographics.

Detractors, however, lament the concomitant erosion of linguistic rigor and decorum. They argue that the prosaicization of media language has engendered a culture of epistemic relativism, wherein factual veracity is often subordinated to sensationalism. The proliferation of clickbait headlines and the pervasive use of pejorative terminology are emblematic of this worrying trend, which can potentially undermine public trust in institutional discourse.

In my considered opinion, the resolution of this dichotomy necessitates a nuanced, context-sensitive approach. While informality can augment accessibility, media practitioners must scrupulously adhere to ethical and linguistic standards. The implementation of platform-specific style guides, coupled with robust fact-checking protocols, would engender a harmonious synthesis of engagement and professionalism. Furthermore, media literacy initiatives could empower audiences to critically evaluate linguistic choices, fostering a more discerning public sphere.**

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Achievement (9.0): Presents a clear position throughout the response. Presents, extends and supports main trends, differences, or implications with a full, consistent and supported explanation.
• Coherence and Cohesion (9.0): Uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention. Uses paragraphs appropriately and seamlessly. Logical flow between sentences and ideas is clear and the argument is easy to follow.
• Lexical Resource (9.0): Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features; rare minor errors occur only as slips.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (9.0): Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and precision; grammatical structures are used naturally and appropriately. There are no errors in grammar, punctuation, or spelling.

Vocabulary Highlights

| Word/phrase | Definition | Example Collocation | |-------------|-------------|---------------------| | pervasive | widespread; present in every part of a place or thing | pervasive use of colloquialisms | | epitomized | be a perfect example of | epitomized by the rise of TikTok | | eschewing | deliberately avoiding (something) | eschewing of traditional linguistic conventions | | prosaicization | making something prosaic or unremarkable | the prosaicization of media language | | epistemic relativism | the theory that truth is relative to individual perspectives | culture of epistemic relativism | | pejorative | expressing contempt or disapproval | pervasive use of pejorative terminology | | sensationalism | the use of exciting or shocking stories or language at the expense of accuracy | subordinated to sensationalism | | democratized | made (something) accessible to people in general | democratized information consumption | | nuanced | (of an understanding or analysis) showing subtlety and sensitivity | nuanced, context-sensitive approach | | scrupulously | in a way that is extremely thorough and careful | scrupulously adhere to ethical standards | | concomitant | naturally accompanying or associated | concomitant erosion of linguistic rigor | | vernacular | the language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people of a country or region | employing vernacular expressions | | ubiquitous | present, appearing, or found everywhere | ubiquitous use of informal language | | hyperbolic | exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally | hyperbolic rhetoric in political commentary | | polarize | divide or cause to divide into two sharply conflicting groups | polarize public opinion | | multifaceted | having many different aspects or facets | multifaceted nature of media discourse | | syntactical | relating to the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences | syntactical precision | | rhetorical | relating to the effective use of language | rhetorical devices in media discourse | | paradigmatic | serving as a typical example or model | paradigmatic shift in media language |

Common Mistakes Students Make

1. Overgeneralization: Many students make sweeping statements without providing sufficient evidence or examples to support their claims. For instance, saying 'media language is always disrespectful' without any supporting evidence.

1. Lack of Balance: Some students focus too heavily on one side of the argument, neglecting to discuss the opposing view adequately. This can result in a one-sided response that does not fully address the prompt.

1. Informal Language: Using informal language in an academic essay. While the topic may be about informal media language, the essay itself should maintain a formal tone.

1. Poor Organization: Failing to structure the essay clearly with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. This can make the response difficult to follow and understand.

1. Repetition: Repeating the same ideas or vocabulary without adding new information or insights. This can make the response seem shallow and lacking in depth.

1. Ignoring the Task: Not fully addressing the task by failing to discuss both views or by not giving a clear opinion. This can result in a lower score for Task Achievement.

1. Grammatical Errors: Making frequent grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement mistakes, incorrect tense usage, and punctuation errors. These errors can distract the reader and lower the score for Grammatical Range and Accuracy.

1. Vague Language: Using vague or imprecise language that does not clearly convey the intended meaning. For example, using words like 'stuff' or 'things' instead of more specific and precise vocabulary.

1. Lack of Cohesion: Failing to use cohesive devices effectively, which can make the response difficult to follow. This can result in a lower score for Coherence and Cohesion.

1. Plagiarism: Copying text directly from other sources without proper citation. This is a serious academic offense and can result in a score of zero for the task.

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