Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-13
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
In some countries, more and more people are becoming interested in finding out about the history of the house or building they live in.
What are the reasons for this?
How can people research this?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Student answer (Band 5.5)
In recent years,more and more people are becoming interested in finding out about the history of the house or building they live in has become increasing more common in many parts of the world.This essay will discuss the main reasons behind this trend and explain how people can research the history of their homes.
One of the primary reasons behind this growing trend is people's curiosity about the past.This is because resident may want to know who previously owned their house and what happened there,which leads them to investigate more to its history.For instance,some one living in a old house or building may be interesting in discovering when it was constructed and who people lived there.Another contributing factor is that historical and culture value of properties.Consequently,people may feel more connected with their family and community.
There are several effective ways in which people can research the history of their homes.One possible method would be to research online and historical website.In addition people visit local libraries,museum and government offices to find old documents,maps and photograph.For example local authorities may have records when a building was constructed and you can also get the information from the old neighbours who are living in this colony.In addition,you can get specific information from old ages peope.Consequently,these source can provide reliable information about the history of their homes.
In conclusion,there are several reasons why people are increasingly interested in discovering the history of their house or building,particularly curiosty about the past and historical value of properties.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The essay addresses both parts of the prompt: reasons for the interest in building history and methods for research. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you mention curiosity and historical value, these points are not fully extended with deep analysis. The examples provided, such as 'old neighbours' or 'local libraries', are relevant but could be more detailed to demonstrate a higher level of critical thinking. To improve, ensure that each reason is supported by a clear explanation of why it matters, rather than just stating the point. The conclusion is also quite brief and does not fully summarise the main points discussed in the body paragraphs.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. You use some cohesive devices like 'In addition', 'Consequently', and 'For instance' to link ideas. However, the flow is occasionally mechanical, and some transitions feel repetitive. For example, the use of 'In addition' appears twice in the same paragraph. Additionally, the referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the phrase 'these source can provide', where the pluralisation is inconsistent. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that the progression between sentences is smoother and less reliant on simple connectors.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the range and precision required for a higher band. You use basic terms like 'old house' and 'get information', which are functional but not sophisticated. There are also some errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'historical and culture value' (should be 'historical and cultural value') and 'old ages peope' (which is unclear and grammatically incorrect). To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary, such as 'architectural heritage', 'archival records', or 'genealogical research', and pay closer attention to word forms and collocations.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Issues include subject-verb agreement ('resident may want', 'these source can'), missing articles ('in a old house'), and punctuation errors, such as missing spaces after commas. The opening sentence is also syntactically confused, making it difficult to parse. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. Focus on proofreading for basic errors like pluralisation, article usage, and ensuring that your complex sentences are constructed accurately.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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