Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-01

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 many countries, an increasing number of people are becoming curious about the history of the houses and buildings in which they live. This trend can be attributed to several factors, including a desire to understand one’s local heritage and concerns about the value and condition of a property. There are also several effective ways in which people can investigate the history of their homes.

One major reason for this growing interest is that people want to develop a stronger connection with their homes and communities. Older houses may have interesting stories associated with previous owners, historical events, or changes in the surrounding neighbourhood. Discovering such information can give residents a greater sense of belonging and help them appreciate their local heritage. Another reason is financial. People who are planning to buy, sell or renovate a property may want to know when it was constructed, who previously owned it, and whether it has undergone major structural changes. Such information can influence the property's value and help owners make better decisions.

There are several ways to research the history of a building. First, people can examine official records held by local government offices, land registries and historical archives. These documents may contain information about the date of construction, previous owners, changes in ownership and renovations. Second, libraries and online historical databases can provide old maps, newspapers, photographs and census records that reveal how a property and its neighbourhood have changed over time. In addition, residents can speak to long-term nieghbours or previous owners, who may remember important events or people associated with the building. In some cases, professional historians or architectural researchers can also be consulted, particularly when a property is very old.

In conclusion, people's increasing interest in the history of their homes is mainly driven by a desire to understand their heritage and obtain useful information about their property. Government records, archives, online resources and conversations with local residents are among the most effective methods of carrying out such research.

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 well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as mentioning land registries and census records. The position is clear throughout, and the essay maintains a consistent focus on the topic. The structure is logical, and the content is balanced, providing a comprehensive answer that meets all requirements of the task effectively.

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 the reasons and the research methods is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'One major reason', 'Another reason', 'First', and 'In addition' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the overall structure is coherent, making the text easy to follow throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'local heritage', 'structural changes', 'land registries', and 'architectural researchers'. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, it lacks the highly sophisticated or idiomatic flair that would characterize a band 9 response. There is one minor spelling error ('nieghbours'), but this does not impede communication or affect the overall clarity of the writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the use of relative clauses ('...buildings in which they live') and conditional structures ('...particularly when a property is very old'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is generally accurate. The control over grammar is strong, and the few minor slips do not interfere with the reader's understanding of the content.

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