Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-09-12

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 7.5)

Nowadays, many historic buildings are becoming outdated, and governments have to decide whether to restore them or replace them with modern structures. While some people believe that old buildings should be preserved despite the high cost, others argue that constructing new buildings is a more practical option. In my opinion, important historic buildings ought generally be restored.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why governments should replace old buildings with modern ones. Firstly, renovating an old structure can be extremely expensive, particularly if it requires major repairs to its foundation, electrical systems or plumbing. The same amount of money could be used to construct a modern building with better facilities and lower maintenance costs. Secondly, new buildings are usually designed to meet current safety and environmental standards. For example, a modern town hall may have better accessibility, energy-efficient systems and improved facilities for the public.

On the other hand, restoring historic buildings has significant cultural and social benefits. Old town halls, museums and art galleries often represent a city's history and architectural heritage. Preserving these structures allows future generations to understand and appreciate the past. Moreover, historic buildings can attract tourists, which can generate income for local businesses and contribute to the economy. For instance, many cities preserve old buildings because they are important tourist attractions and give the area a unique identity.

In my opinion, governments should prioritize the restoration of historically and culturally significant buildings rather than replacing them completely. Although restoration may be costly, the long-term cultural and economic benefits can outweigh the initial expense. However, if a building is unsafe or restoration is financially unrealistic, replacing it with a modern structure may be the better choice.

In conclusion, although modern buildings offer better facilities, old buildings provide important cultural, historical and economic value. Therefore, I believe that governments should restore valuable historic structures whenever it is practical to do so.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the view in favour of replacing old buildings and the view supporting their restoration, while clearly stating their own opinion throughout the essay. The position is well-developed, with the introduction of relevant supporting ideas in both body paragraphs. For example, the student highlights the economic burden and maintenance challenges of older structures on the one hand, and the cultural heritage and tourism benefits on the other. The arguments are extended with appropriate explanations and relevant examples, such as the mention of modern town halls and unique local identities. The conclusion neatly synthesises these points without straying off-topic, satisfying all requirements of the Band 7 and approaching Band 8 criteria for task response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. The response is divided into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, two opposing body paragraphs, a nuanced opinion paragraph, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and effectively to guide the reader between ideas, as seen in transition markers like 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Moreover'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, and referencing throughout the text remains clear and unambiguous, earning a solid Band 7 rating.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student uses a sufficient and generally precise range of vocabulary suitable for a general task. Less common lexical items and collocations are successfully integrated, such as 'architectural heritage', 'environmental standards', and 'financially unrealistic'. Although there is a minor grammatical omission in the introduction ('ought generally be restored' instead of 'ought generally to be restored' or 'should generally be restored'), the overall lexical choices are accurate and communicate ideas fluently. Word choice is appropriate for the academic or general formal style required, fitting comfortably into the Band 7 category.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures alongside accurate simple sentences. Examples of complex clauses include concessive clauses ('While some people believe that...') and conditional structures ('if a building is unsafe or restoration is financially unrealistic...'). Punctuation is well controlled, and the majority of sentences are error-free. While there is a minor slip with the modal verb phrase in the thesis statement ('ought generally be restored'), this does not impede communication. The control over grammar is strong enough to merit a Band 7.5.

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