Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

In the contemporary era, the debate over restoration of historic buildings such as art galleries, town halls, and so on should be preserved or renovated or they should be replaced with modern architecture has gained much attention. While some argue that renovation of the historic public property is a waste of public fund, others believe that they should be preserved despite being costlier. Although both perspectives have their own merits, this essay will examine both view points before explaining why I firmly believe that conserving old buildings is essential for cultural and social reasons.

On the one hand, supporters of modernization, highlight the practicality of constructing new buildings. Contemporary architecture often provides more space, advanced technology, and eco-friendly designs that are suitable for today's urban demands. For instance, newly built government offices equipped with digital facilities can operate more efficiently than the outdated structures. Moreover, modern constructions can be cheaper to maintain in the long run compared to the constant repair of the fragile heritage sites.

On the other hand, restoring old buildings holds immense cultural and historical value. Landmarks such as town halls and art galleries serve as tangible reminders of a country's traditions and collective memory. Preserving them not only strengthens national identity but also promotes tourism, which can, in turn generate revenue to offset restoration costs. For example, the careful preservation of Casa Loma situated in the heart of Toronto has attracted millions of national and international tourists annually, contributing significantly to local economy. One can learn the history and the ancient architecture by visiting there to expand their knowledge and experience the unique features of the castle. Furthermore, replacing historic sites with modern blocks risks erasing the architectural charm that makes the cities unique.

In conclusion, although constructing modern buildings brings practical benefits, I strongly believe that the preservation of old structures is more important. By investing in restoration, governments can safeguard cultural heritage while embracing development through thoughtful urban planning.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The position is consistent throughout the essay. Ideas are well-developed, particularly the arguments regarding cultural identity and tourism. The example of Casa Loma is relevant and effectively supports the argument for preservation. The introduction is slightly cluttered with a run-on sentence structure, but the overall task response is strong and meets the requirements for a high band score by providing a balanced discussion followed by a clear, supported stance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the two viewpoints and the conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Moreover', and 'Furthermore' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the arguments. The referencing is generally clear, and the flow between sentences is smooth. While the opening sentence is slightly awkward, it does not significantly impede the overall coherence of the piece. The structure is logical and supports the development of the argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and demonstrates a good range of topic-specific terms such as 'contemporary architecture', 'tangible reminders', 'collective memory', and 'offset restoration costs'. There is an attempt to use less common items, and the word choice is generally precise. While there are minor issues with phrasing in the introduction ('restoration of historic buildings... should be preserved'), the overall lexical control is strong. The student successfully uses collocations like 'safeguard cultural heritage' and 'thoughtful urban planning' to convey their ideas effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, including conditional-like logic and relative clauses. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally accurate. There are a few minor slips, such as the slightly confusing structure in the first sentence ('the debate over restoration... should be preserved or renovated or they should be replaced') and a missing preposition in 'learn the history and the ancient architecture by visiting there'. However, these errors are infrequent and do not interfere with the clarity of the message. Punctuation is generally well-managed.

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