Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-08-18

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 6.5)

There are considerable debate about whether old building should be renovated or constructed modern buildings. While some people argue that vintage buildings could be restored, others believe that smart and new buildings can be replaced. This essay will discuss both perspective before explaining why I believe that ancient building is crucial rather than building new one.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why people believe that historic buildings should be preserved because they have culture and historical value. This means that old town halls, museums, theatres and art galleries can tell people about the history and tradition of a city. once these buildings are demolished, their original architecture and historical importance may be impossible to recover. Preserving them also helps younger generations understand their heritage. For example, many historic buildings in cities such as London and Rome attract tourists because of their traditional architecture. Restoring these buildings can protect a city's identity while also generating income from tourism.

On the other hand, others argue that old buildings should be replaced. One major reason is that replacing old buildings can be more practical, safe and cost-effective in the long term. Many old buildings require expensive repairs because their structure, electrical systems, plumbing and heating systems. Instead of repeatedly spending public money on repair, governments could construct new buildings that are safer and more energy-efficient. For instance, an old public library may require millions of dollars to repair the roof, electrical system and heating systems. A new building could provide better facilities, including modern technology, accessibility for disabled people and energy-efficient systems.

In conclusion, although ancient buildings renovation has certain advantages, modern buildings also supported by valid arguments. In my opinion, historically important building should be restored because they preserve cultural identity and can benefit tourism.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and well-supported with examples, such as the mention of London and Rome to illustrate the tourism benefits of heritage buildings. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the development of the 'modern building' argument could be slightly more nuanced, perhaps by acknowledging the environmental impact of demolition versus the energy efficiency of new builds. Overall, the task is fully addressed with a logical structure that supports the writer's stance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a central theme. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions could be more sophisticated to avoid a slightly mechanical feel. For instance, the link between the second and third sentences in the first paragraph could be improved for better cohesion. Nevertheless, the progression of ideas is clear and easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally appropriate for the task, with some good topic-specific collocations like 'historical value', 'original architecture', and 'cost-effective'. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in word choice and form, such as 'There are considerable debate' (should be 'is') and 'ancient buildings renovation' (should be 'the renovation of ancient buildings'). The range is sufficient to convey ideas clearly, but the use of less common lexical items is somewhat limited. To improve, the student should focus on more precise word forms and varied synonyms to avoid repetition of words like 'buildings' and 'repair'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is good control over basic grammar, but several errors persist, particularly with subject-verb agreement ('There are considerable debate', 'modern buildings also supported') and article usage ('ancient building is crucial'). Some sentences are slightly awkward, such as 'others believe that smart and new buildings can be replaced', which is logically confusing. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher band score. Increasing the variety of complex structures and proofreading for subject-verb agreement would significantly enhance the quality of the writing.

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