Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-08-06
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 5.0)
It is often argued that the old buildings, such as town halls and art galleries, should be repaired despite of the high cost involved, while others believe that they should be transformed by the public authorities into new and modern buildings.
On the one hand, it is preferable to restore the old establishments in order to pass on the cultural heritage to future generations. these old buildings are a great source of learning for the citizens. Moreover, their restoration attracts a huge number of tourists around the world, which not only favors tourism and also generate more jobs. For instance, a lot of historic buildings have been preserved in cities such as London, where they are maintained while still used by public.
On the other hand, the replacement of old buildings with the new ones can be very beneficial for evolution. The government can invest in the new technologies to inspire and teach new generations. For example, a lot old sites have been transformed into new buildings
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, reaching only 167 words. Consequently, the development of ideas is significantly curtailed. While you identify both sides of the argument, the discussion is superficial. The second body paragraph is incomplete, ending abruptly mid-sentence, which prevents a full exploration of the topic. Furthermore, you did not clearly state your own opinion as requested by the prompt. To improve, you must expand your arguments with specific examples and ensure you provide a clear, consistent personal stance throughout the essay.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay uses basic cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand' and 'Moreover' to structure the response. However, the progression of ideas is hindered by the incomplete nature of the final paragraph. Paragraphing is present, but the lack of a concluding paragraph makes the overall structure feel unfinished. Referencing is generally clear, but the abrupt ending disrupts the logical flow of the argument. To achieve a higher score, ensure that each paragraph is fully developed and that you include a clear introduction and a summary conclusion to tie your points together.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. You rely on common phrases like 'old buildings' and 'new and modern buildings' repeatedly. There are some minor errors in collocation, such as 'favors tourism and also generate more jobs' (should be 'favors tourism and also generates' or 'not only favors tourism but also generates'). To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary related to urban planning and heritage conservation, and ensure your word choices are precise and grammatically consistent.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are several grammatical errors that impact the quality of the writing. For example, 'despite of' is incorrect (use 'despite' or 'in spite of'), and 'a lot old sites' is missing a preposition. There are also issues with subject-verb agreement, such as 'generate' instead of 'generates'. Punctuation is generally acceptable, but the incomplete sentence at the end is a significant error. Focusing on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy and sentence completion will help improve your score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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