Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-09-13

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)

Traditional buildings and art galleries are vital parts of the city, preserving culture and showcasing local traditions to tourists and younger generations. However, some people say that the government should replace them with modern buildings and upgrade them with new facilities. In this essay, we will discuss both views. In my opinion, old buildings should be restored; they are not too old to collapse or cause any mishaps.

On the one hand, old buildings, such as town halls, are important to sustain local culture and values. In addition to this, they are needed to provide knowledge to younger generations. For instance, in Chandigarh, there is a place called Rock Garden, and the government has retained it to show the younger generation that we can make things from recycled material. Furthermore, many countries try to save royal palaces and heritage sites to give people the experience of that time. Lastly, the government can turn these sites into tourist places and put some fare on the tourist to visit them. It can help boost the economy.

On the other hand, some people oppose this view and say that the government should replace them with modern buildings, because the facilities in the traditional buildings were so minimal. For instance, there was no ac and heating facilities in old times. Moving forward, building new infrastructure has fewer constraints on the public, as restoring needs more funds than building a new one.

In my opinion, restoring old monuments and buildings is a vital part of one's culture; it is the need of the hour to protect them to keep the traditional values alive and let the younger generation experience the time of their forefathers.

To conclude, the government should invest in restoring the old buildings with the help of individuals; however, they are not too old to cause any accidents or danger to the community.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the view that old buildings should be restored and the counterargument that they should be replaced with modern structures. The candidate also clearly states their own opinion in the introduction and reiterates it in the body and conclusion. Ideas are relevant and supported with examples, such as the mention of the Rock Garden in Chandigarh. However, some arguments lack full extension and remain slightly superficial, particularly the counterargument regarding the lack of modern amenities like air conditioning. Overall, the task is addressed adequately, placing this response in Band 6.5 to Band 7.0 territory. Given the clear position and relevant supporting details, it aligns best with the Band 7 descriptor.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear overall progression with a recognizable introduction, body paragraphs addressing each side of the argument, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate ideas. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Furthermore' are employed to guide the reader through the text, although some transitions feel a bit mechanical. Referencing is generally clear, though certain linking phrases could be integrated more naturally. The logical organisation and paragraph structure support clear communication throughout, justifying a Band 6.5, which rounds to a solid Band 6.5 or 7.0. Because the overall structure and logical flow are maintained well, a score of 6.5 is appropriate.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, incorporating terms like 'preserving culture', 'heritage sites', 'infrastructure', and 'traditional values'. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary, but some word choices and collocations are slightly unnatural, such as 'put some fare on the tourist' instead of 'charge an admission fee for tourists'. Spelling and word formation are generally accurate, and vocabulary errors do not impede communication. The lexical range is sufficient for the writer to communicate their ideas clearly, matching the Band 6.0 descriptors well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing structures like conditional clauses and relative pronouns effectively. There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings present, such as 'there was no ac and heating facilities' (plural agreement error) and 'restoring needs more funds than building a new one' (noun/pronoun mismatch). Punctuation is generally functional, and although errors occur, they rarely impede communication or cause strain for the reader. The presence of frequent minor errors alongside complex sentence attempts places this response firmly at Band 6.0.

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

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