Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-27

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 6.5)

In some countries, an increasing number of individuals are becoming interested in discovering the history of the houses and buildings in which they live. The reasons for this growing interest are curiosity and a desire to become more aware of their culture and historical significance. There are several methods of researching this history, including the use of libraries, museums and official records.

On the one hand, people investigate the history of their homes due to curiosity about their past. People may want to know who built their property, who lived there, and how it has changed over time. This can be particularly interesting when the building is old and has distinctive architectural features. Another reason is that people want to discover whether their house has any cultural or historical significance. For example, a person might discover something new about their own culture by finding historically significant information about their building or house.

On the other hand, there are numerous ways of obtaining historical information. One of the most useful methods is to examine official records in detail, such as property documents, local registries and government archives. These sources can provide information about previous owners, construction details and other relevant information. Secondly, people can use local libraries and museums, where they can find old photographs, maps and artefacts related to their buildings. For instance, many people can use digital libraries and visit museums to obtain information about the history of their homes.

In conclusion, people are becoming more interested in the history of their homes because of their curiosity and desire to learn more about their culture and traditions. The most useful ways of researching this history are through official documents, libraries and museums.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by identifying the primary reasons for researching a building's history—such as personal curiosity and cultural awareness—and outlining effective research methods like official records, libraries, and museums. The introduction clearly outlines both areas of the prompt, and the body paragraphs present relevant ideas that are extended and supported with logical explanations. For instance, the writer explains why architectural features spark interest and details how property documents or government archives function as practical tools. While the development is somewhat straightforward rather than deeply elaborated, all elements required by the task are fully covered, meeting the criteria for a solid Band 7.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are arranged coherently, starting with a clear introduction, moving through distinct body paragraphs for reasons and methods, and concluding effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph having a clear central topic. The writer employs cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Another reason is', and 'One of the most useful methods' to guide the reader through the text. However, some of the cohesive links and transitions feel slightly formulaic or mechanical rather than entirely natural, which places the response firmly within Band 7 rather than the higher bands.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate and generally precise range of vocabulary suitable for the task. Words and phrases like 'architectural features', 'cultural or historical significance', 'official records', and 'government archives' show an appropriate lexical selection. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary with general success. While there are a few minor instances of repetitive phrasing—such as repeating 'history of their homes' and using 'information' frequently—the word choice does not impede communication. The vocabulary is sufficient to allow flexibility and precision, aligning well with the Band 6.5 to 7.0 profile.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating control over grammatical structures. The writer successfully uses subordinate clauses and relative structures, such as 'the houses and buildings in which they live' and 'when the building is old and has distinctive architectural features'. Punctuation and sentence boundaries are handled well, and grammar errors are rare and non-systematic, with the majority of sentences being accurate and clear. The control demonstrated over complex structures and sentence variety supports a strong Band 7 score.

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