Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-09-11

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 6.0)

We can see both view have some significant reasoning and stake behind them, but It is often debated whether government should spend money on restoring old historic buildings like town halls and art galleries, or if they should replace them with modern ones. In my opinion, replacing them with new buildings is a better choice for the future.

On one hand, many people think restoring old buildings is essential. The main reason is that these structures keep old signs and historical culture alive in our modern times. They act as a bridge between the past and present, helping local people remember their history. For example, an old art gallery can attract tourists who are interested in traditional architecture. If governments destroy these places, a part of the city’s identity might be lost forever or in some case the whole theme can get changed.

On the other hand, others argue that replacing old buildings is more beneficial. Modern buildings can easily adapt to the surroundings and fulfill the current needs of society. Instead of spending huge amounts of money on maintaining weak structures, governments can construct smart buildings with advanced technology, better security, and energy-saving features. This makes the city look modern and also improves the daily lives of citizens by providing better facilities.

In conclusion, while preserving historic buildings helps keep cultural alive, but I believe replacing them with modern buildings is a better option. It is much more efficient and good overall for the city’s long-term development and growth.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

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 relevant, such as the cultural value of old buildings versus the functional efficiency of modern ones. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat limited; for instance, the argument for modern buildings could be strengthened with more specific examples of how 'smart buildings' impact urban life. While the response meets the requirements, the depth of analysis is more characteristic of a Band 6.5 or 7.0, as it touches upon the main points without fully exploring the implications of the trade-offs involved.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two opposing views. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. However, there are minor issues with flow; for example, the transition in the final paragraph ('while preserving... but I believe') is grammatically awkward and slightly disrupts the cohesion. Overall, the progression of ideas is clear, and the structure supports the reader's understanding of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the writer to express their ideas clearly. There is some attempt to use topic-specific vocabulary like 'traditional architecture', 'energy-saving features', and 'long-term development'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are instances of slightly unnatural phrasing, such as 'keep cultural alive' (should be 'keep culture alive') and 'some significant reasoning and stake'. To reach a higher band, the student should aim for more precise collocations and a wider variety of sophisticated vocabulary to avoid repetitive phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text. Examples include 'both view have' (should be 'both views have'), 'It is often debated whether government' (should be 'the government'), and 'in some case' (should be 'in some cases'). These errors are frequent enough to be noticeable but do not impede communication. The control over punctuation is generally good, but the sentence structure could be more varied to demonstrate higher-level grammatical flexibility.

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

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