Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-08-26

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)

In today`s fast-paced world, individuals hold diverse opinions on a wide range of topics. Regarding the issue of restoring old buildings, with some people support it while others oppose it. In on view, it is important to critically analyze both sides before forming a well-rounded opinion.

Those in favor of reconstruction of old buildings argue that there is no doubt that old buildings describes a country`s culture and their costumes. This perspective is based on the belief that it`s governments responsibility to keep our culture and costumes alive by spending money. In India, for example, golden temple is a old building and tourist place where thousands of visitors visit to experience it it`s connected to their religion and culture. That means Indian government have spent a lot of money to restore it every year, which further strengthens the case of this position.

Conversely, opponents on the reconstruction of traditional buildings argue that it cost a lot for government so they should adopt other alternative like modern buildings. This viewpoint highlight the potential benefits associated that replacing with modern buildings costs less because that money can be spend on other necessary things like education and poverty which has emerged significantly challenge confronting many communities, emphasizing the benefits of relacing old buildings to modern ones.

In conclusion, the debate surroundings on the re-establishment of old buildings is multifaceted, opinions are divided with arguments on both sides. While supporters argue and opponents raise valid considerations. After examining the arguments for and against to the restoration of traditional buildings, I think that it is crucial to weight the evidence carefully before making a definitive opinion. Hence, the sooner the people understand the importance of spending money enough money on modern buildings as well as on other essential things, the better it is.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a personal opinion, though the opinion is somewhat vague. While you mention that it is 'crucial to weight the evidence,' you do not clearly state which side you personally support, which is a requirement for a high band score. The ideas are relevant, such as the cultural importance of the Golden Temple and the economic benefits of modern infrastructure, but the development is somewhat repetitive. To improve, ensure your position is clearly stated in the introduction and maintained consistently throughout the essay, and provide more specific, well-developed arguments rather than general statements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate. For example, 'In on view' is an incorrect transition, and 'the debate surroundings on' is grammatically awkward. Referencing is sometimes unclear, such as the use of 'it' in the second paragraph, which makes the connection between ideas slightly confusing. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'furthermore,' 'consequently,' 'nevertheless') and ensure that pronouns clearly refer back to the intended nouns to improve the flow of your arguments.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have an adequate range of vocabulary to discuss the topic, but there are several instances of incorrect word choice and collocation. For example, you use 'costumes' when you likely mean 'customs,' and 're-establishment' is not the most natural term for building restoration. Phrases like 'emerged significantly challenge' are grammatically incorrect and impede clarity. To reach a higher band, focus on learning collocations (words that naturally go together) and ensure you are using precise terminology. Avoid repeating the same words, such as 'modern buildings,' and try to use synonyms like 'contemporary structures' or 'urban development.'

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation that occasionally cause difficulty for the reader. Common issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'Indian government have spent'), incorrect preposition usage (e.g., 'opponents on the reconstruction'), and missing articles. Additionally, there are several awkward phrasings, such as 'with some people support it while others oppose it.' To improve, pay closer attention to basic grammatical rules, particularly verb tense consistency and pluralization. Proofreading for these common errors will help you achieve a higher score.

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

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