Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-27

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)

It is widely recognized that people are becoming more interested in the history of the homes and buildings where they live. This essay will explain the main reasons for this interest and discuss some simple ways people can research the history of their homes.

One main reason is that people want to understand their connection with the place where they live. Knowing when a house was built, who lived there before, and how it has changed can make the property more interesting and meaningful. Another reason is that some people are interested in old buildings because of their cultural or historical value. For example, a family living in an old house may want to know whether any important people lived there in the past. In addition, people may want to check the history of a property before buying it.

There are several ways to research the history of a building. First, people can ask previous owners, talking with neighbors, or older family members because they may know useful information about the property. Second, they can check local government records, old maps, newspapers, and property documents. These sources may provide information about the building's age and previous owners. The internet is also helpful because people can search historical websites and online archives. For example, a person can search the name and address of a house to find old photographs or records.

In conclusion, people are interested in the history of their homes because they want to understand their past and discover the importance of their property. They can research this information by talking to local people, checking official records, and using libraries and online sources.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response 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 clearly presented. However, the development is somewhat superficial. For instance, while you mention 'cultural or historical value,' you could have expanded on this by discussing the impact of heritage preservation or the psychological comfort of living in a space with a 'story.' Similarly, the research methods are listed clearly, but the explanation of how to use these sources is quite brief. To reach a higher band, aim to provide more depth and specific, illustrative examples rather than just listing points.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

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 easy to follow. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'One main reason,' 'Another reason,' 'In addition,' and 'First/Second' effectively. However, the linking is somewhat mechanical. To improve, try to use a wider variety of cohesive devices and ensure that the transition between sentences feels more natural and less like a list. Paragraphing is used appropriately, which helps the overall readability of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication. You use some topic-specific terms like 'property,' 'archives,' and 'historical value.' However, the range of vocabulary is somewhat limited and relies on fairly common words. There is little evidence of less common lexical items or idiomatic language. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary, such as 'genealogy,' 'architectural heritage,' or 'primary sources,' and demonstrate a better grasp of collocations to make your writing sound more sophisticated and natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good control of basic sentence structures and maintain a consistent level of accuracy throughout the text. There are very few grammatical errors, and the punctuation is generally correct. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'Knowing when a house was built... can make the property more interesting.' However, the range of complex structures is limited. To improve, try to incorporate more varied sentence patterns, such as conditional clauses or passive voice constructions, to demonstrate a higher level of grammatical flexibility while maintaining your current level of accuracy.

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