Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-07-31

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people believe that old buildings, such as town halls and art galleries, should be restored, even though this can be costly. Others argue that governments should replace them with new, modern buildings.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 8.0)

Some people believe that old public buildings, such as town halls and art galleries, should be restored even if it costs a lot of money. Others think that governments should replace them with modern buildings. This essay will discuss both views before explaining why I believe restoring important historic buildings is the better choice.

On the one hand, replacing old buildings with new ones has several advantages. Many historic buildings are expensive to repair and maintain because they require special materials and skilled workers. In addition, older buildings may not meet modern safety standards or provide enough space for today's needs. New buildings can be designed to be energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and more accessible for people with disabilities. For example, a newly built town hall can include advanced technology, better security systems, and lower maintenance costs.

On the other hand, restoring old buildings helps protect a country's history and culture. Historic buildings are an important part of a city's identity and often attract tourists, bringing income to local businesses. They also allow future generations to learn about the past. Although restoration can be costly, it is often a worthwhile investment because these buildings cannot be replaced once they are destroyed. For instance, many famous European cities have carefully restored their old town halls and museums, making them popular tourist attractions while preserving their cultural heritage.

In my opinion, governments should restore old buildings whenever they have historical or cultural importance. While the cost may be high, preserving valuable landmarks benefits society in the long term. However, if a building has no historical value and cannot be repaired safely, replacing it with a modern building is a practical solution.

In conclusion, although modern buildings offer better efficiency and lower maintenance costs, I believe that restoring significant historic buildings is more beneficial because it protects cultural heritage, supports tourism, and preserves history for future generations.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both sides of the argument—the benefits of modern construction versus the cultural value of restoration—and provided a clear, consistent personal opinion throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with logical supporting points such as energy efficiency for new buildings and tourism/cultural identity for restored ones. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position. To reach a higher band, you could provide more specific, nuanced examples, perhaps contrasting a specific type of building (e.g., a derelict factory vs. a historic town hall) to add further depth to your argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. Referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different stages of your argument. The flow is natural, and the relationship between sentences is easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive linking; the structure supports the reader's understanding throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic discussion. Phrases like 'worthwhile investment', 'cultural heritage', and 'environmentally friendly' are used accurately. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey your ideas with precision. While the range is adequate and natural, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated, less common collocations or idiomatic academic expressions to demonstrate a higher level of lexical flexibility. However, the current usage is accurate and contributes to a professional tone throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good control of grammatical structures. You successfully use a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the conditional structure in the final paragraph ('if a building has no historical value...'). Punctuation is accurate, and there are very few grammatical errors. The majority of your sentences are error-free, which is a hallmark of a strong performance. To push into the higher bands, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex grammatical forms, such as inversion or more advanced passive constructions, to show greater flexibility.

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