Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-08-25
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 5.5)
Many people think the government should renovate the architecture of town halls and art museums. On the other hand, some people think they should build new ones with Modern architecture. In this essay we will discuss both points.
To begin with, they should restore the old buildings hence there architec is old and beautiful. It also shows history as there are some town halls which were made in 50's and today's generation will learn about old architecture. as well as in some museums the buildings were designed as per art and the paintings were portrayed in the museums.
Restoring the old buildings would be more costly as there are less numbers of people in this field which makes this more beautiful and historical
On the contrary, there are fewer people who think construction of new buildings should be done because, it is less expensive than renovating the old ones as well as they would be more sturdy compared to the old buildings and we do not have to worry about them in the future. Furthermore the new construction would be built according to current needs which is more likely to praised by upcoming generations.
In my opinion, we should restore old buildings as it represents history and art, but if the building is not sturdy, they should build a new one.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response addresses both views and provides a clear opinion. However, the essay is significantly under the 250-word minimum, which limits the depth of the arguments. The ideas are presented but remain underdeveloped; for instance, the point about the '50s' is vague, and the argument regarding the cost of restoration is not fully explained. To reach a higher band, you must expand on your points with specific examples and ensure you meet the word count requirement to allow for a more thorough exploration of the topic.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and limited. Transitions like 'To begin with' and 'On the contrary' are used, but the internal flow within paragraphs is sometimes disjointed. For example, the transition between the historical value of buildings and the cost of restoration in the second paragraph is abrupt. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus would enhance the logical progression of your ideas.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. You rely on basic terms like 'old buildings' and 'new buildings' repeatedly. There are also some errors in word choice and form, such as 'architec' (architecture) and 'less numbers of people'. To improve, you should aim to use more sophisticated synonyms and collocations related to urban planning and heritage conservation. Expanding your vocabulary will help you express your ideas with greater clarity and impact.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'there architec is old' (their architecture is old) and 'less numbers of people'. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with comma usage and sentence boundaries. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and basic sentence construction will significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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