Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-17

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 6.0)

In recent years, an increasing number of people have become interested in discovering the history of the houses or buildings where they live. There are several reasons for this trend, and people can use a variety of methods to investigate the past.

One major reason is simple curiosity. People may want to know who lived in their home before them, how old the building is, or what it was originally used for. This can give residents a stronger connection to their home and local community. Another reason is that historical information can be useful when buying or renovating a property. For example, knowing that a house is very old may help owners understand its architectural features and avoid inappropriate changes.

There are several ways to research a building's history. First, people can search online for old maps, photographs, newspapers and local historical records. Public libraries and local archives can also provide valuable information, including property documents and census records. In addition, residents can ask neighbours or previous owners, who may have personal knowledge of the building's past. In some cases, government land registries can provide information about previous owners and changes in ownership.

In conclusion, people's interest in the history of their homes is mainly driven by curiosity, a sense of connection and practical concerns about property. By using online resources, official records, libraries and local residents, they can uncover a great deal of useful historical information.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: reasons for the interest in building history and methods for research. However, the essay is under the 250-word minimum requirement (237 words), which negatively impacts the task achievement score. While the ideas are relevant and clearly presented, they are somewhat brief. To reach a higher band, you should expand on your points with more detailed examples or personal anecdotes. For instance, when discussing renovation, you could elaborate on how specific historical findings might influence modern design choices. The position is clear throughout, but the development of ideas is limited by the brevity of the response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is well-structured with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is logical. You use cohesive devices such as 'One major reason', 'Another reason', 'First', and 'In addition' effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two main parts of the prompt. The flow is smooth, and the relationship between sentences is clear. To improve, you could incorporate a wider variety of linking phrases to make the transitions feel even more sophisticated and less mechanical.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'architectural features', 'census records', and 'land registries' appropriately. The language is natural and conveys your meaning clearly without any significant errors. However, the vocabulary is somewhat functional and lacks the 'less common' or 'idiomatic' items that would push the score into the higher bands. To improve, try to incorporate more precise collocations or academic synonyms to demonstrate a broader lexical range. For example, instead of 'simple curiosity', you could use 'an innate sense of inquisitiveness'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The grammar is generally accurate, and you use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. There are very few errors, and those present do not impede communication. You demonstrate good control over punctuation and sentence construction. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to include a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences or more frequent use of passive voice, which would be particularly relevant when discussing historical records and property ownership. Overall, your control of grammar is a strong point.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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