Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

There are several reasons why people are becoming increasingly interested in discovering the history of the houses or buildings they live in. One major reason is curiosity. People naturally want to know who lived in their home before them, when it was built, and whether any significant events took place there. In addition, learning about a building’s past can give residents a stronger sense of connection to their home and the local community. Some people may also be interested for practical reasons, such as understanding previous renovations, changes to the building, or its architectural features. The growing availability of information online has also made historical research much easier and more attractive.

There are various ways in which people can investigate the history of their homes. First, they can search online for old photographs, maps, property records, or local historical information. Government offices and local archives may also hold documents showing when a property was built, who owned it, and how it has changed over time. Another useful method is to speak to previous owners or long-term residents in the neighbourhood, who may have personal stories and information that cannot be found in official records. Finally, local libraries, historical societies, and museums can provide valuable resources and expert guidance.

In conclusion, people are interested in the history of their homes because of curiosity, a desire to understand their surroundings, and practical concerns about their property. By using online resources, official records, archives, and conversations with local people, they can gradually build a detailed picture of their building’s past.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses both parts of the prompt clearly. You have identified several logical reasons for the interest in building history, such as curiosity, a sense of community, and practical renovation concerns. The second paragraph provides a comprehensive list of research methods, including online databases, official records, and oral history. The ideas are relevant and well-developed. To reach a higher band, you could provide a specific example or a more detailed scenario to illustrate one of your points, such as describing how a specific type of historical document might reveal a hidden architectural feature. Overall, the response is focused and fully addresses the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is smooth. You use cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'First', 'Another useful method', and 'Finally' to guide the reader through your arguments. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the text. The referencing is clear, and the flow between sentences is natural. The structure is effective and supports the development of your ideas throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'significant events', 'architectural features', and 'expert guidance' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is appropriate and conveys your meaning clearly, it is somewhat functional. To achieve a higher score, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items to add nuance. For example, instead of 'made historical research much easier', you could use 'facilitated the process of historical inquiry'. The spelling is accurate throughout, and your word choices are consistently appropriate for the academic context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good control of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as 'People naturally want to know who lived in their home before them, when it was built, and whether any significant events took place there.' The punctuation is accurate, and there are very few grammatical errors. The sentences are generally error-free, which indicates a high level of control. To move into the highest band, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex sentence structures, such as using more advanced conditional clauses or passive constructions to vary the rhythm of your writing.

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