Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-08-22

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 8.0)

It is often argued that historic buildings, including town halls and art galleries, should be restored regardless of the expense involved, while others believe that governments should replace them with modern structures. Although new buildings can provide improved facilities and greater efficiency, I believe that historically and culturally significant buildings should be preserved whenever possible.

On the one hand, there are several compelling reasons to restore old buildings. Most importantly, they often represent the history and cultural identity of a city. Historic town halls, museums and galleries can demonstrate traditional architectural styles and provide younger generations with a connection to their heritage. Furthermore, such buildings can become major tourist attractions, bringing visitors and revenue to local businesses. For example, many European cities attract millions of tourists partly because they have successfully preserved their historic architecture. Therefore, although restoration can initially be expensive, it may provide cultural and economic benefits in the long term.

On the other hand, supporters of replacing old buildings argue that constructing modern facilities can be more practical and cost-effective. Some ageing structures require continuous maintenance and may lack modern safety standards, accessibility features or energy-efficient systems. Instead of repeatedly spending public money on repairs, governments could construct new buildings equipped with modern technology. For instance, a newly built art gallery could provide better lighting, climate-control systems and wheelchair access while also consuming less energy. Consequently, replacing buildings that have little historical significance may sometimes be the more sensible option.

In my opinion, governments should make decisions based on the historical importance and physical condition of each building rather than adopting a single policy. Buildings with significant cultural or architectural value should be restored and protected, even if this requires considerable investment. However, structures with limited historical importance that are unsafe or extremely expensive to maintain could reasonably be replaced with modern alternatives.

In conclusion, while modern buildings can offer greater safety, efficiency and convenience, old buildings are valuable parts of a society's cultural heritage. I therefore believe that important historic buildings should be preserved, whereas replacement should be considered when restoration provides little cultural or practical benefit.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly discussed both views—the preservation of historic buildings and the practical benefits of modern construction—and provided a well-reasoned personal opinion. Your position is consistent throughout the essay, particularly in the conclusion where you synthesize your view. The ideas are well-developed, with relevant examples such as the mention of European tourism and specific modern amenities like climate-control systems. The response is balanced, logical, and directly answers the prompt without any irrelevant information.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two opposing viewpoints is smooth. You make effective use of cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', 'Consequently', and 'In my opinion', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the two body paragraphs, the personal opinion, and the conclusion. The flow of information is natural and easy to follow throughout the entire piece.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the topic. You use precise terms such as 'culturally significant', 'architectural styles', 'cost-effective', and 'considerable investment' with natural control. The language is sophisticated and contributes to the clarity of your argument. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is varied enough to avoid repetition, showing a high level of lexical competence.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Although new buildings can provide... I believe that...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is excellent. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of accuracy, consistent with the requirements for a high band score.

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