Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-21

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)

In some countries, an increasing number of people are interested in discovering the history of the houses or buildings in which they live. This essay will discuss the main reasons for this interest and explain some ways in which people can investigate the history of their properties.

There are several reasons why people may want to learn about the past of their homes. Firstly, curiosity is a major factor, as residents may want to know who lived in the property before them and whether any significant events took place there. This can give people a stronger sense of connection with their home and the local community. Secondly, historical information can be useful for practical purposes. For example, people planning to renovate an old building may need to know about previous alterations, its original design or possible structural problems. In addition, owners of historically significant properties may want to understand and preserve their cultural value.

There are various ways to research the history of a house or building. One effective method is to consult local government records, which may contain information about previous owners, construction dates and changes made to the property. People can also visit libraries and local archives to examine old newspapers, maps, photographs and historical documents. Another useful approach is to speak to long-term residents or previous owners, as they may have personal knowledge about the property and its former occupants. Furthermore, the internet provides access to an increasing number of online archives and historical databases, making such research more convenient.

In conclusion, people are becoming more interested in the history of their homes because of personal curiosity, historical interest and practical concerns. They can investigate this information through official records, local archives, previous residents and online historical resources.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt: the reasons for the interest in building history and the methods for researching it. The ideas are relevant and well-developed. For instance, you provide clear, logical reasons such as personal curiosity and practical renovation needs, and you offer a comprehensive list of research methods, including government records, archives, and digital resources. The position is clear throughout, and the response is well-structured to cover all requirements of the task. To reach a higher band, you could provide a specific, illustrative example of a historical discovery or a personal anecdote to add more depth and 'real-world' weight to your arguments.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is smooth. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'In addition', and 'Furthermore', which guide the reader through your arguments without being overly mechanical. The paragraphing is appropriate, and referencing is clear throughout the text. The flow is natural, and the relationship between the reasons and the research methods is well-maintained, ensuring that the essay remains easy to follow from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'historically significant properties', 'structural problems', and 'historical databases' are used accurately. The vocabulary is appropriate for an academic context and conveys your meaning clearly. While the range is good, it is somewhat functional. To achieve a higher score, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common collocations and idiomatic expressions, such as 'architectural heritage', 'meticulous research', or 'uncovering the provenance of a building', which would elevate the lexical sophistication of the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good command of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as the conditional structure 'if residents may want to know...' and the participial phrase 'making such research more convenient'. The punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, which is a hallmark of a strong performance. To improve further, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex sentence structures, such as inversion or more advanced relative clauses, to demonstrate even greater flexibility in your writing.

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