Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-09-27

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)

There is ongoing debate about whether governments should preserve historic buildings or replace them with modern structures. While restoring old buildings can be expensive, I believe that significant historical buildings should generally be preserved because they provide cultural, educational and economic value.

On the one hand, replacing old buildings can offer several practical advantages. Modern buildings are often more energy-efficient, accessible and suitable for contemporary needs. For example, an old town hall may require extensive repairs to meet modern safety and accessibility standards. Constructing a new building could therefore be more cost-effective in the long term. In addition, new facilities can be designed to accommodate modern technology and larger numbers of visitors.

On the other hand, historic buildings are an important part of a city's cultural identity. Town halls, museums and art galleries can provide valuable insights into a region's history and architectural heritage. Once demolished, these unique structures and the stories associated with them cannot easily be recreated. Furthermore, well-preserved historic buildings can attract tourists, benefiting local businesses and creating employment opportunities. For instance, cities that maintain distinctive historic districts often attract visitors interested in architecture and culture.

In my opinion, governments should adopt a selective approach rather than choosing restoration or replacement in every case. Buildings with genuine historical or cultural significance should be carefully restored, while structures that have little heritage value or are beyond economical repair could be replaced with modern alternatives.

In conclusion, although modern buildings can be more practical and economical, preserving important historic structures offers long-term cultural and economic benefits. Therefore, restoration should be prioritised when a building has significant heritage value.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—the practical benefits of modern buildings and the cultural importance of historic structures—while also presenting a clear, well-supported personal opinion throughout. In the introduction, the writer clearly states their stance that significant historical buildings should generally be preserved. This position is systematically extended in the body paragraphs and refined in the penultimate paragraph, where the writer suggests a selective approach. Ideas are well developed with relevant examples, such as old town halls requiring safety upgrades and cities attracting tourists through historic districts. The response meets all the requirements of Band 7 and exhibits many qualities of Band 8.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The essay displays clear logical organization and a smooth progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting logically with the introduction, moving to the arguments for modern buildings, then the arguments for preservation, a nuanced synthesis, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively and appropriately, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Furthermore', guiding the reader effortlessly through the text. Paragraphing is used skillfully, and referencing is clear and consistent. The flow of ideas is natural, satisfying the criteria for a strong Band 8 performance.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating less common lexical items such as 'contemporary needs', 'architectural heritage', 'demolished', and 'selective approach'. Word choice is generally precise, and collocations are used naturally, as seen in 'extensive repairs', 'genuine historical or cultural significance', and 'economical repair'. There are no spelling or word-formation errors that impede communication. While the vocabulary is fluent and flexible, it stops just short of the sophisticated control and wide-ranging uncommon lexis required for Band 8, making Band 7 an accurate and fair reflection.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The writer uses a wide variety of complex sentence structures with good control, such as concessive clauses ('While restoring old buildings can be expensive, I believe that...') and conditional constructions. The majority of sentences in the essay are error-free, demonstrating a high level of grammatical accuracy. Punctuation is handled correctly throughout, and verb tenses are managed skillfully when shifting between general truths and specific examples. Although occasional minor slips might occur in more convoluted formulations, the control exhibited here easily fulfills the criteria for Band 8.

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