Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-09-02
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)
A few individuals argue that it is necessary to revive old structures like town halls and art galleries regardless of how expensive this might be. Others, on the other hand, maintain that these buildings should be supplanted by modern structures. In my view, historic buildings should be restored at all cost.
On the one hand, those who cite the importance of new, modern structures believe that these buildings have outlived their usefulness and therefore should be replaced by modern buildings which are more practical and will meet modern day needs. As the world is evolving so are the needs of the population; thus, such old buildings might not serve any practical purpose in the contemporary world. In addition, the money that will be spent in their restoration can be channeled into sectors that serve the immediate needs of the population: areas like agriculture and education.
On the other hand, reviving these buildings are important as most of them hold the history of a nation. These buildings, undoubtedly, serve as historical sites and as such, it is imperative to preserve them so as to preserve the culture of the people. Furthermore, they can serve as educational centers where school groups can come and learn about their history and culture. Moreover, they can be economically beneficial as visitors can pay to come and see these buildings. Tourists are usually interested in old and historical sites; thus, these buildings can attract tourists, and money mad out of tourism can be invested in other areas of the economy.
In conclusion, as far as I am concerned, historical sites play many important roles in our society; thus they should be maintained and preserved irrespective of the cost involved,
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The position is consistent throughout the essay. Ideas are generally well-developed, particularly the arguments regarding cultural preservation and economic benefits. However, the discussion on the 'modern building' perspective could be slightly more nuanced to reach a higher band. The conclusion effectively summarizes the stance. Overall, the response is focused and relevant, meeting the requirements for a Band 7.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two viewpoints. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'In addition,' and 'Furthermore' are used effectively to link ideas. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. Referencing is clear, and the essay maintains a consistent focus throughout. The structure is logical and supports the reader's understanding of the argument, justifying a Band 7.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The vocabulary is sufficient for the task, with some good collocations such as 'serve any practical purpose' and 'economically beneficial.' There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, though some minor inaccuracies occur, such as 'money mad out of tourism' (likely a typo for 'made'). The range is adequate to convey ideas with precision, but it lacks the sophisticated, natural control required for higher bands. Overall, the lexical resource is solid and supports the communication of ideas effectively.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several error-free sentences, but some grammatical slips occur, such as 'reviving these buildings are important' (subject-verb agreement error: 'is' should be used). Punctuation is generally accurate, though the final sentence ends with a comma instead of a period. Despite these minor errors, the meaning is never obscured, and the grammatical control is sufficient for a Band 6.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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