Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-08-08

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)

The world is filled with architectural wonders that have been standing tall through decades, and there are new buildings that are becoming the tomorrow of the world. Both these ends of architecture are what make our surroundings beautiful.

I personally side with the opinion of restoring the old town halls and art galleries. As we are all cognizant, wars have been fought for decades over these colossal buildings. Preserving the old architecture, in my opinion, means preserving the stories it carries. These town halls and art galleries act as a time machine and take us decades back into a time we weren't even born. I invariably believe that this ancient architecture helps us connect with our roots and fosters a sense of belonging.

Comparatively, some part of the population also believes that the government should replace the ancient buildings with modern buildings. Nevertheless, they do have their own set of advantages. Modern buildings come with modern facilities that help make the building more convenient and accessible to the crowd. In my analysis, modern buildings also have a robust foundation and provide a sense of safety. Modern buildings also help generate a number of employment opportunities in the neighborhood.

I second my outlook on this topic by experiencing myself the magic of an ancient building. Last year, I visited Rajasthan with my family and had the chance to visit Maharana Pratap's abode, which is now converted into a museum, giving a sneak peek into his vintage royal lifestyle. The intricate details on the marble wall spoke to me and made me realise what wonders human hands can do. One visit to such a magnificent piece of history has left a lasting impression on me, I wonder what effect modern buildings will have years from now.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both the restoration of old buildings and the construction of modern ones, while clearly stating a personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and supported by a personal example regarding a visit to Rajasthan. However, the development of the arguments is somewhat brief. While the position is clear, the discussion of modern buildings could be more deeply explored to match the depth of the argument for preservation. Overall, the response meets the requirements of the task well, providing a balanced view and a consistent personal stance throughout the essay.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'Nevertheless', 'Comparatively', and 'In my analysis' are used effectively to link ideas. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing could be more sophisticated to achieve a higher band. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the overall structure supports the reader's understanding of the writer's argument without confusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is generally appropriate and sufficient for the task. The student uses some effective collocations and topic-specific language, such as 'architectural wonders', 'colossal buildings', and 'intricate details'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'I second my outlook', which is not a standard idiomatic expression in this context. While the range is adequate to convey meaning clearly, it lacks the consistent precision and sophisticated control required for higher bands. The vocabulary is functional and helps the reader understand the writer's perspective without difficulty.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is good control over basic grammar, and the meaning is always clear. However, there are occasional errors in grammar and punctuation, such as the comma splice in the final sentence: '...lasting impression on me, I wonder what effect...'. Additionally, some phrasing is slightly awkward, such as 'experiencing myself the magic'. While the student attempts complex structures, the frequency of error-free sentences is not high enough to reach the 8.0 band. The errors present do not impede communication.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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