Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-08-24

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)

Some people believe that old buildings, such as town halls and art galleries, should be restored, even though this can be expensive. Others believe that governments should replace them with new and modern buildings. This essay will discuss both views and explain why I believe important old buildings should be preserved.

On the one hand, replacing old buildings can have several advantages. Firstly, modern buildings are usually safer and more convenient because they can be designed with better materials and technology. For example, a new town hall may have improved facilities, better heating and cooling systems, and more space for visitors. Secondly, constructing a new building can sometimes be cheaper than repairing a very old one, especially when it has serious structural problems. Therefore, governments may prefer to invest money in modern buildings that can be used for many years.

On the other hand, restoring old buildings is important because they are part of a city's history and culture. Such buildings often have unique architectural designs that cannot easily be recreated. They can also attract tourists and support local businesses. For instance, a historic art galleries can became a popular tourist attraction, bringing visitors to nearby restaurants, shops and hotels. Furthermore, preserving these buildings allows younger generations to learn about their country's history and traditions.

In my opinion, governments should restore old buildings whenever they have significant historical or cultural value. However, buildings that are extremely unsafe or too expensive to repair should be replaced with modern ones. In this way, governments can protect cultural heritage while also ensuring public safety and using public money responsibly.

In conclusion, although modern buildings offer better facilities and may sometimes be more economical, valuable historical buildings should be restored because they preserve a community's identity and history.

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, consistent personal opinion. The ideas are well-developed, with logical arguments for both restoration and replacement. The introduction clearly outlines the essay's intent, and the conclusion effectively summarizes the position. The balance between the two perspectives is appropriate, and the supporting examples, such as the mention of modern facilities versus historical identity, are relevant and well-integrated into the discussion. The position is maintained throughout the essay, demonstrating a clear focus on the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Secondly', and 'Furthermore'. The use of referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different viewpoints. The flow of the argument is consistent, making the essay easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, and the overall structure supports the development of the argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and generally precise. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'structural problems', 'architectural designs', and 'cultural heritage'. While the range is adequate for the task, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions to reach a higher band. There is a minor error in 'a historic art galleries can became', where the plural noun 'galleries' does not agree with the singular article 'a', and 'became' should be 'become'. However, these errors do not impede communication and the overall lexical control is good.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally accurate. There are a few minor slips, such as the subject-verb agreement error mentioned previously ('a historic art galleries can became'). Despite these occasional inaccuracies, the control over complex structures is evident, and the punctuation is used correctly throughout. The writing is clear and the grammatical errors do not interfere with the reader's understanding of the arguments presented.

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