Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-29

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 house or building they live in. This trend can be attributed to several reasons, including curiosity about the past, concerns about the value and condition of the property, and a desire to understand the local community. There are also various ways in which people can investigate the history of their homes.

One major reason people research the history of their homes is simple curiosity. People may wonder who lived in the property before them, when it was built, and what important events may have taken place there. Learning about the past can give residents a stronger sense of connection with their home and the area in which they live. For example, someone living in an old house may discover that it was once owned by a well-known local family, making the property more interesting and meaningful to them.

Another reason is that information about a building's history can be useful when buying, renovating or selling a property. Older buildings may have undergone several structural changes, and knowing their history can help homeowners identify possible problems or understand which parts of the building are original. In addition, a house with historical significance may have a higher value than an ordinary property. Therefore, researching its background can have both personal and financial benefits.

There are several ways to carry out such research. First, people can examine official records, such as property documents, land registers, planning records and local government archives. These sources may provide information about previous owners, construction dates and alterations to the building. Second, libraries and historical societies can be useful because they often keep old maps, newspapers, photographs and other historical documents. Finally, people can speak to long-term residents or previous owners of the property. Such individuals may have personal stories and information that cannot be found in official records. Nowadays, the internet also makes this process easier, as many historical documents and archives are available online.

In conclusion, people are increasingly interested in the history of their homes because they want to satisfy their curiosity, develop a stronger connection with their surroundings and obtain useful information about their property. By using official records, historical archives, online resources and local knowledge, they can uncover a considerable amount of information about the buildings in which they live.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt: the reasons for the trend and the methods for research. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of property value and the use of local archives. The position is clear throughout, and the structure is logical. The response maintains a consistent focus on the topic, providing a balanced discussion that meets all requirements of the task. The development of ideas is thorough, and the conclusion effectively summarizes the main points without introducing new information.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. Cohesive devices, such as 'One major reason', 'Another reason', and 'First/Second/Finally', are used effectively to guide the reader. The referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate. The flow of information is natural, and the use of linking words is neither mechanical nor repetitive, contributing to a coherent and well-structured piece of writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for the academic context. The student uses a good range of topic-specific terminology, such as 'structural changes', 'historical significance', 'local government archives', and 'property documents'. The word choice is generally accurate and natural. While the vocabulary is sufficient and demonstrates a good level of control, it stops just short of the 'skilful use of uncommon items' required for the highest band, but it is certainly well above the level of a band 7 response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a high level of grammatical control. A variety of complex structures are used, such as conditional-like structures ('if they live in an old house...') and complex noun phrases. The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is used correctly throughout. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over sentence structure is consistent, and the writer demonstrates the ability to use a range of grammatical forms with accuracy and flexibility.

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