Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-09-03

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 6.5)

It is usually assumed by many individuals that it is not worth spending a large amount of money to maintain old monuments such as historical buildings, and the authorities should give more attention to new architecture. According to me, it is really crucial to protect the old buildings because it represents the culture and history of a country. On the one hand, many people believe that protecting historical sites over constructing new buildings is just a waste of money. This is because it is quite expensive to maintain old buildings as compared to building new ones. Moreover, historical sites need more attention and maintenance due to their poor condition and old architecture; however, new houses don't need huge amounts of money or care because they are built with modern technology and they are still new, so they just need a few alterations every year. Another important reason is that historical sites can't be used as residential places, so making new buildings and houses in their place can provide shelter and a place to live for numerous people. On the other hand, I feel that these historical monuments are a part of history, culture, and traditions. A country's sentiment can be associated with these sites because it represents their nation's identity; for example, India is known for its Taj Mahal, Paris for its Eiffel Tower, and so on. Furthermore, a large number of tourists travails the different countries every year to visit these places, which increases the economy of a nation. These old buildings teach many educational lessons to the learners who prefer to study history and give an idea about how life looked in the past. In conclusion, in my opinion, the government should restore the old buildings because of the benefits that are received, such as enhancing education and rising the economy.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant, such as the economic benefits of tourism and the cultural significance of historical sites. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat brief. For instance, the argument regarding the cost of maintenance versus new construction is clear but could be further extended with more specific examples or deeper analysis. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively summarizes the main points. To reach a higher band, ensure that each supporting point is fully explored with more depth and nuance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for each viewpoint, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Moreover', and 'Furthermore' are used to guide the reader through the argument. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. The referencing is clear, and the progression of ideas from the cost-based argument to the cultural value argument is logical. Overall, the structure is effective and supports the development of the topic.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the writer to express ideas clearly. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, such as 'alterations' and 'sentiment'. However, there are a few minor errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'travails' (likely intended as 'travel to') and 'rising the economy' (should be 'boosting' or 'improving'). While these errors do not impede communication, they prevent the essay from reaching a higher band. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and ensuring that words are used in their correct context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is a good attempt at using complex sentences, such as 'historical sites need more attention and maintenance due to their poor condition and old architecture; however, new houses don't need...'. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'According to me' (a less natural phrasing than 'In my opinion') and 'it represents' (should be 'they represent' to agree with 'old buildings'). Despite these errors, the meaning is always clear, and the punctuation is generally accurate. The control of grammar is sufficient for a band 6.5 level.

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

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