Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-18

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 7.5)

It is increasingly the case that individuals wish to learn more about the history of their own homes. This essay will examine the reasons behind this growing curiosity, as well as the practical methods people can use to uncover such information.

There are several reasons why people are drawn to the history of their homes. Firstly, a sense of personal identity and belonging often motivates this interest; understanding who lived in a space before them can create a deeper emotional connection to the property. For example, discovering that a house once belonged to a notable local family can make residents feel part of a larger community story. Secondly, rising public interest in genealogy and heritage more broadly, fuelled by popular television programmes and online tools, has made people more curious about the past in general, including the buildings they inhabit.

In terms of researching this history, there are several effective methods available. One way is to consult local council or land registry archives, which typically hold records of property ownership, construction dates, and renovations. For instance, many municipal libraries offer free access to historical maps and census data that can reveal previous occupants. Additionally, people can speak directly with long-term neighbours or local historical societies, who often possess detailed, firsthand knowledge of a building's past that isn't recorded in official documents.

In conclusion, this growing interest stems primarily from a desire for personal connection and a broader societal fascination with heritage, and it can be satisfied through both official archival research and informal community knowledge.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt clearly. You have identified two distinct reasons for the interest in house history—personal identity and the broader cultural trend of genealogy—and provided two practical methods for research: archival consultation and community engagement. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of municipal libraries and local historical societies. The position is clear throughout, and the response maintains a consistent focus on the task requirements. To reach a higher band, you could provide slightly more depth in the examples, perhaps by explaining how a specific type of document (e.g., a deed or a census record) provides a unique insight into the past.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a concise conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the progression of ideas is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'In terms of', and 'Additionally', which guide the reader through your arguments without being repetitive. The paragraphing is appropriate, and referencing is clear throughout the text. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between the reasons and the research methods is well-established, contributing to a coherent and well-structured response.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'growing curiosity', 'notable local family', 'firsthand knowledge', and 'societal fascination' show a level of precision and sophistication. The language is natural, and there are no errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the topic well, incorporating a few more 'less common' lexical items or idiomatic collocations related to historical research could elevate the response further. Overall, the lexical control is strong and supports the clarity of your arguments.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a high level of grammatical accuracy. You use a variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of participial phrases ('fuelled by popular television programmes') and relative clauses ('who often possess detailed, firsthand knowledge'). Punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of your sentences. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and agreement is consistent throughout. There are no significant grammatical slips, and the complexity of the writing is well-maintained, which is indicative of a high level of proficiency.

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