Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-08-01
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 7.0)
In recent years, whether to preserve ancient buildings such as town halls and art galleries or completely modernize them has become a topic of considerable debate. This essay will discuss both perspectives before presenting my own opinion.
On the one hand, supporters argue that heritage buildings such as town halls and art galleries should be secured. One of the primary reasons is that these structures are an important part of a nation's cultural heritage. They connect people with their history and traditions. For instance, many famous landmarks attract millions of tourists every year. As a result, restoration can provide both cultural and economic benefits.
On the other hand, opponents believe that constructing contemporary buildings can be safer and save money. This is mainly because old buildings' structure is weak as compare to modern ones, as they were constructed many decades ago. In addition to this, it can also save financial resources, which can be used by the government for different purposes. For example, with the help of that cost many schools and hospitals can be developed in some areas. Hence, more students and patients can take advantage of these amenities.
In conclusion, although both viewpoints have valid arguments, I believe that heritage buildings must be restored because they can help individuals to stay in touch with their country's history.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response addresses both views and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the essay is significantly under the 250-word minimum requirement, which limits the depth of the arguments. While the points regarding cultural heritage and economic/safety concerns are relevant, they are not fully developed. For instance, the argument about safety could have been expanded with more specific examples or a more nuanced discussion on the balance between preservation and modernization. Because the response is 31 words short, it fails to meet the task requirements fully, resulting in a lower score for task achievement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, each with a distinct focus. The introduction sets the stage well, and the body paragraphs follow a standard structure. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' and 'In addition to this' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the arguments. The progression of ideas is clear, though the brevity of the essay makes the overall flow feel slightly abrupt. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different viewpoints.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The vocabulary is generally appropriate and sufficient for the task. You use terms like 'cultural heritage,' 'contemporary,' and 'financial resources' effectively. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a lack of more sophisticated or academic collocations that would elevate the score. There are no significant errors in word choice that impede communication, but the vocabulary remains functional rather than precise or varied. To improve, try to incorporate more topic-specific academic vocabulary related to architecture and urban planning.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are grammatically sound, though there are minor errors, such as 'old buildings' structure is weak as compare to modern ones,' which should be 'the structure of old buildings is weak compared to modern ones.' Despite these occasional slips, the grammar does not impede understanding. The range of structures is adequate, but more variety in complex sentence forms would be beneficial for a higher score.
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