Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-22

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 6.5)

In many parts of the world, a growing number of people are becoming interested in learning about the history of their homes. There are two main reasons why people want to know about their building's history.

Firstly, it satisfies personal curiosity and creates an emotional connection. Knowing who lived in the house before and what their lives were like makes the home feel more special and unique.

Secondly, understanding the history helps with home restoration. If a home owner wants to repair or redecorate an old house, knowing its original architectural style ensures they can preserve its historic character accurately. This preservation can also increase the financial value of the property.

People can use several reliable methods to discover the secrets of their homes. The most common way is to visit local government archives. These places keep official documents, such as original property deeds and building permits, which show when the house was built and who owned it now.

Another effective method is checking historical census data and old maps. Census records reveal the names, family sizes, and occupations of past residents, while old maps show how the structure changed over time. Finally, people can look at physical clues inside the building, such as old brickwork, vintage pipes, or hidden fireplaces.

In conclusion, people research for their homes out of personal interest and a desire to maintain the building's original beauty. By using public records, old maps, and physical evidence, anyone can easily uncover the story of their living space.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses both parts of the prompt clearly: the reasons for the interest and the methods for research. The ideas are relevant and logically developed. For example, the explanation of 'home restoration' and 'financial value' provides a practical reason for the interest. The methods suggested, such as 'local government archives' and 'census data', are specific and well-explained. The response maintains a clear focus throughout, and the ideas are extended sufficiently to meet the requirements of the task. The conclusion effectively summarizes the main points without introducing new information.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is logical. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'Another effective method', and 'In conclusion' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the text. The paragraphing is sufficient and helps in structuring the argument effectively. The relationship between sentences is clear, and the flow of information is smooth throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate and generally accurate, allowing for clear communication. The student uses topic-specific terms like 'architectural style', 'property deeds', and 'census records' effectively. While the range is sufficient for the task, it lacks the more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions that would characterize a higher band score. There are no significant errors in word choice or spelling that impede meaning, and the tone remains appropriate for an academic task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a good control of grammar with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and punctuation is used correctly. For instance, the use of conditional structures ('If a home owner wants to repair...') is accurate. While the range of structures is solid, it does not consistently display the 'wide range' of complex structures required for the highest bands. However, the errors are rare and do not interfere with the clarity of the message.

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

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