Recent IELTS Writing Task 2 - National And International Issues

Some people believe that news should focus more on national and international issues rather than on celebrities and sports. 
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

📌 Note: This question appeared in the PBT-IELTS Writing exam on 6th November, 2025 in India.

All IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions – Click to View

Band 9 Sample Answer:

It is sometimes argued that news programmes and media outlets should pay greater attention to national and international issues rather than focusing on celebrities and sports. I completely agree with this view.

There are two main reasons why I believe news should prioritise social, political, and global matters. Firstly, awareness of national and international events helps citizens make informed decisions and understand the world around them. When people follow serious news topics such as economic trends, healthcare policies, or environmental challenges, they become more responsible and engaged members of society. For example, knowledge about climate change or global conflicts can influence how individuals vote, consume, or travel. Secondly, excessive coverage of entertainment and sports often turns the media into a source of distraction rather than education. Many television channels and online platforms highlight celebrity gossip or sports controversies simply because they attract more viewers, but this type of content does little to enhance public understanding or critical thinking.

Apart from the practical concerns mentioned above, I also feel that the overemphasis on celebrities and sports can have a negative social impact. Constant exposure to the luxurious lifestyles of famous people may create unrealistic expectations, especially among young audiences. Instead of developing interests in social issues or academic pursuits, they may start to value fame and wealth above all else. By contrast, reporting on national achievements, scientific discoveries, or international cooperation can inspire people to contribute positively to their communities. Therefore, the media has a moral responsibility to focus on information that benefits the public rather than merely entertains it.

In conclusion, while entertainment and sports have their place, I believe news organisations should give much greater importance to national and international affairs, as this helps educate citizens and promote a more informed and responsible society.

WhatsApp Us for 1-on-1 IELTS Training!

Band 9 Insights Based on IELTS Writing Band Descriptors:

1. Task Response (Band 9)

• Fully addresses the question and maintains a clear, strong opinion (“I completely agree”).
• Each paragraph directly supports the stance with specific reasoning and examples.
• Ideas are well-developed and relevant, with clear implications and explanations.
• The argument shows depth and insight, not just surface-level agreement.

2. Coherence and Cohesion (Band 9)

• Follows the same four-paragraph structure as the demo:
  1. Introduction (topic + position)
  2. First reason for agreement
  3. Second reason for agreement
  4. Conclusion (summary + restated opinion)
• Logical progression of ideas from general principles to real-life consequences.
• Cohesive devices used naturally: “Firstly,” “Secondly,” “Apart from,” “By contrast,” “Therefore.”
• Smooth paragraph flow without repetition or mechanical transitions.

3. Lexical Resource (Band 9)

• Sophisticated, precise, and topic-appropriate vocabulary:
  “media outlets,” “engaged members of society,” “economic trends,” “critical thinking,” “moral responsibility,” “unrealistic expectations.”
• Strong collocations: “make informed decisions,” “overemphasis on celebrities,” “promote a more informed society,” “attract more viewers.”
• Vocabulary is natural and academic but not overly complex — reads like a human expert writer.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy (Band 9)

• Complex sentence structures used accurately throughout:
  • “When people follow serious news topics such as economic trends, healthcare policies, or environmental challenges, they become more responsible and engaged members of society.”
  • “By contrast, reporting on national achievements… can inspire people to contribute positively.”
• Excellent control of tense, agreement, and punctuation.
• 100% error-free grammar and syntax.

Overall Band: 9.0

This essay achieves Band 9 because it:

• Fully addresses the task with a consistent and insightful argument.
• Uses logical, well-organised ideas and natural cohesion.
• Demonstrates advanced yet natural lexical and grammatical control.
• Maintains a clear academic tone and perfect structure throughout.

Share this article with other IELTS aspirants!