Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

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

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 in which they live. This trend can be attributed to several factors, including curiosity about the past, a desire to understand the value of their property, and an interest in preserving local heritage. There are also various ways in which people can investigate the history of their homes.

One major reason people research the history of their houses is simple curiosity. A building may have existed for decades or even centuries, and residents may wonder who lived there previously and what events took place there. Learning about former occupants can give people a stronger sense of connection to their home and community. Another reason is that historical information can affect a property's value. For example, a house associated with an important local figure or a significant historical event may be worth considerably more than an ordinary modern property. In addition, people may want to discover whether their building has architectural or cultural significance so that they can help preserve it.

There are several effective ways to conduct such research. First, people can examine official records held by local authorities, such as property registers, building permits and land records. These documents can reveal when a building was constructed, who owned it and whether it has undergone major changes. Second, libraries, museums and historical societies often contain old maps, photographs and newspapers that can provide useful information. Speaking to elderly residents or previous owners can also be valuable, as they may remember events that were never formally recorded. Finally, the internet has made this process easier because many archives and historical databases are now available online.

For instance, someone living in an old house might discover through newspaper archives that it was once a shop or belonged to a prominent family. Such a discovery could make the resident appreciate the building in a completely different way.

In conclusion, people are increasingly interested in the history of their homes because they want to satisfy their curiosity, understand their property's significance and preserve local heritage.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt. You have provided clear reasons for the interest in building history, such as curiosity, property value, and heritage preservation. The second part of the task is also well-covered, with practical research methods like consulting official records, libraries, and online databases. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of newspaper archives revealing a building's past as a shop. The position is clear throughout, and the response maintains a consistent focus on the topic, meeting 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 for research and the methods of research is smooth. You make effective use of cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'First', 'Second', and 'Finally', which guide the reader through the text without being overly mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different aspects of the prompt. The referencing is clear, and the overall structure is coherent, making the essay easy to follow from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases like 'local heritage', 'architectural or cultural significance', and 'prominent family' show a level of precision and flexibility. While the vocabulary is accurate and natural, it stays within a relatively standard range. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common idiomatic expressions related to historical research or property ownership. However, the current range is sufficient to convey your ideas clearly and effectively without any noticeable errors in word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as the use of conditional clauses and relative clauses (e.g., 'a house associated with an important local figure... may be worth considerably more'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is strong. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. While the sentence structures are correct and varied, further experimentation with more advanced grammatical forms, such as inversion or more complex passive constructions, could enhance the sophistication of the writing.

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