Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-08-13

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)

It is often argued that old buildings, including town halls and art galleries, should be preserved and renovated despite the high costs involved. Others believe that governments should demolish these structures and replace them with modern buildings. While both views have some merits, I believe that historical buildings should be restored rather than replaced.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why some people support the construction of new buildings. Firstly, newly constructed buildings are usually more practical and energy-efficient because they can be designed according to current safety and environment standards. For example, a modern town hall can include advanced heating and cooling systems, better insulation and facilities for disabled people. Secondly, maintaining an old building can require big financial investment, when its infrastructure is severely damaged. In such circumstances , demolishing the structure and constructing a new one may be more economical in the long term.

On the other hand, preserving historical buildings can provide important cultural and economic benefits. Firstly, many old structures represent a city's heritage and allow future generations to understand its history and traditions. Once a historically significant building is demolished, its original architectural character may be hard to recover. Secondly, well preserved historic buildings can attract tourists, generating revenue for local businesses such as restaurants, hotels, and shops. For instance, an attractive historic district can become a major tourist destination and create employment opportunities for local residents.

In conclusion, although replacing old building can be more practical and cost-effective in some circumstances, I believe that historically and culturally valuable buildings should be preserved and restored. Their cultural significance and economic benefits can outweigh the financial costs of renovation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are well-developed, with logical arguments for both the modernization of infrastructure and the preservation of cultural heritage. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific, real-world examples of restored buildings versus replaced ones to further strengthen the support for their arguments. However, the current level of development is sufficient for a strong score, as the essay remains focused and relevant to the task instructions.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the progression of ideas is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Firstly', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. The referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between ideas is easy to follow throughout the text, demonstrating a high level of control over the structure of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a good range of vocabulary appropriate for the topic, such as 'renovated', 'infrastructure', 'economical', 'heritage', and 'architectural character'. The use of collocations is generally accurate. While the vocabulary is sufficient and precise, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions to demonstrate a wider range. There are no significant errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication. The language used is natural and fits the formal tone required for an IELTS essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. For instance, the use of conditional structures and complex noun phrases is handled well. Punctuation is mostly correct, although there is a minor spacing error before a comma in the phrase 'circumstances ,'. Despite this, the majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over complex structures is consistent. The grammatical range is sufficient to convey ideas clearly and precisely, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

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

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