Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-10-13

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 5.5)

Some people believe that old buildings should be renovate because they have sentimental values and make sure it would restore through government sector and pass the financial amount to engineer. Other people argue government should replace the old buildings with the modern ones.

On one hand, old buildings should be restored because it would help people to remind their cultural values. It would give them knowledge about their past. How they achieved that things in the past how much struggle they had done. Students have visited that places because they can develop interest in their minds and help them remember their heroes and art. The old structures have their own values people think if we destroy them, it can damage the history of their forefathers. They may never recover from it.

On the other hand, new buildings should replace with new building like google center, IT center, medical center and finance center. New buildings have their own proper facilities and new architecture design that can last longer than we think. New buildings have new technology and system that can be helpful in the development of the country progress. New buildings have one good thing that students can enroll in them to enhance their technology skills and other skills. Students have the most benefit because of those new buildings they can help them in their studies and after they can earn it without worries.

From my perspective, governments should prioritize restoration whenever buildings possess substantial cultural value.

In conclusion, conversely modern offers practical advantages, preserving historic buildings provides lasting cultural and economic benefits.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both sides of the discussion and state a clear preference: governments should restore buildings with substantial cultural value. The points about preserving history and providing modern facilities are relevant, and the reference to students gives some support. However, the discussion is only partially developed: the benefits of new buildings are listed, but their practical value is not explained with a specific example, and the restoration argument relies on broad claims about cultural memory. The opening sentence is difficult to understand, so it does not clearly introduce the first view. Develop each side with a clear reason and a concrete example, and explain how your opinion follows from weighing these benefits.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs beginning “On one hand” and “On the other hand,” followed by an opinion and conclusion. This helps readers identify the two views. However, progression within paragraphs is uneven, and several ideas are placed next to one another without clear links—for example, the discussion moves from cultural history to students and heroes without explaining the connections. Repetition of “new buildings” and “students” also makes the argument feel list-like. The final sentence begins “conversely,” although it summarises the contrast rather than presenting a contrasting point. Use clearer topic sentences, connect each supporting point to the paragraph’s main claim, and make the conclusion’s relationship to your opinion explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some topic-related vocabulary, including “cultural values,” “architecture,” “technology,” and “development,” which helps communicate the subject. However, the range is limited and several phrases are inaccurate or unnatural, sometimes making the intended meaning unclear. For example, “sentimental values” does not express the cultural importance of historic buildings, and “pass the financial amount to engineer” is difficult to interpret. Repeated use of “new buildings” and “students” also limits variety. Aim for precise collocations and choose words that express the intended idea directly; for instance, describe buildings as having “historical significance” and explain that restoration “requires public funding.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentence forms, and the main ideas can generally be followed. However, errors are frequent, and attempts at complex structures are often faulty. Examples include “old buildings should be renovate,” “new buildings should replace with new building,” and “they can help them in their studies,” where verb forms or sentence relationships are not controlled. The fragment-like questions “How they achieved that things…” also interrupt the paragraph’s flow. Practise building complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and check agreement, articles, plurals, and verb forms. For example, write “old buildings should be renovated” and “new buildings should replace old ones.”

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

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