One complete Task 2 practice with two worked examples, a full model and self-review.
Study the two worked examples. Use the writing plan and useful language to prepare your response, then submit it to review the model and explanation. Scores exclude the examples; Writing and Speaking use self-review rather than automatic band marking.
Original SUFAS teaching material. This is a focused sample exercise, not a full IELTS examination.
Optional learning timer. It can be paused and does not submit automatically.
Ready.
Model answer: Many museums now allow people to explore their collections through online tours. I regard this as a positive development overall, provided that digital access supports the physical museum rather than becoming a reason to neglect it.
Why: This opening addresses the specific instruction, including an overall judgement when requested.
Model answer: The main benefit is that an online visit removes several barriers to participation. A student living far from a major city may be unable to afford travel to an exhibition, while someone with limited mobility may find a long visit difficult. A well-designed online tour gives both people an opportunity to encounter objects and their historical context. It can also allow users to enlarge details, replay explanations and move at their own pace. These features may improve access to the information, particularly when captions and clear navigation are included.
Why: The paragraph explains a main idea and shows how it applies through an example.
An increasing number of public museums provide online tours of their collections. Is this a positive or negative development?
Write at least 250 words. Give reasons and relevant examples.
State that online tours are positive overall when they support physical visits. Explain how they remove travel and mobility barriers. Show how a preview can enrich a later visit, then acknowledge what visitors gain from seeing the objects in person.
broaden access to collections · preview an exhibition · complement an in-person visit
Many museums now allow people to explore their collections through online tours. I regard this as a positive development overall, provided that digital access supports the physical museum rather than becoming a reason to neglect it.
The main benefit is that an online visit removes several barriers to participation. A student living far from a major city may be unable to afford travel to an exhibition, while someone with limited mobility may find a long visit difficult. A well-designed online tour gives both people an opportunity to encounter objects and their historical context. It can also allow users to enlarge details, replay explanations and move at their own pace. These features may improve access to the information, particularly when captions and clear navigation are included.
Online tours can also encourage future visits. Someone unfamiliar with a museum may feel more confident about going there after seeing the layout and discovering which rooms interest them. Teachers can use a short digital visit to introduce a topic before a class trip, helping pupils arrive with specific questions. In this way, the online material can make the eventual visit more purposeful rather than simply replacing it.
There are limitations, however. A screen does not fully reproduce an object's scale, texture or relationship to its surroundings. Producing accurate, accessible digital content also requires staff time and funding. Museums should therefore avoid presenting a simple photograph as a complete substitute for experiencing a collection. They should also maintain opportunities for people who lack reliable internet access.
In conclusion, online museum tours are a positive addition because they widen access and can deepen preparation for physical visits. Their value depends on thoughtful design and continued support for the museum itself.
Why this works: The response follows the precise instruction, develops reasons in connected paragraphs and reaches a relevant conclusion.
Compare your work with the model and tick only points you achieved. This is a self-review checklist, not automatic marking or an IELTS band score.
Self-review score: 0 / 6