Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-10-14

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 5.0)

Indubitably, restortation of old buildings has become a strongly debated issue. A section of society deems that vintage buildings in towns or art museums should be rehabilitated, while others debate that authorities should invest in building new infrastructure. This essay will first look at the arguments for before turning to those against. In spite of arguments against restoring old structures it is my firm opinion that historic buildings should be maintained well.

The primary reason for preserving historic buildings is that these buildings promote history and culture of particular place. To elaborate, old buildings or museums attract tourists as they have inculculated the values, culture that people these days get amazed and learn rich history of those buildings. For example, smalls towns who still have old monuments

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response identifies both positions in the introduction and gives a clear preference for maintaining historic buildings. It also begins a relevant reason: such buildings can preserve culture and attract tourists. However, the discussion is only minimally developed. The opposing view—that governments should replace old buildings with modern ones—is mentioned but not explained, and the supporting example ends unfinished (“For example, smalls towns who still have old monuments”). As a result, the task is addressed only partially, with little supporting detail and no completed conclusion. The response also falls short of the required 250 words, so there is not enough development to cover both views and justify your opinion. Develop each side with a reason and a specific example, then conclude by restating your position.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

There is a recognisable structure: an introduction states the topic and your position, followed by a paragraph beginning to explain one reason. Signposting such as “To elaborate” and “For example” helps show the intended progression. However, the essay stops during the example, so the reader does not see a complete sequence of arguments or a conclusion. The phrase “This essay will first look at the arguments for before turning to those against” promises a balanced discussion that the response does not deliver. Build separate, complete paragraphs for the case for restoration and the case for replacement, and use clear links between them. Ensure each paragraph develops one main point before moving to the next.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of topic-related vocabulary, including “historic buildings,” “rehabilitated,” “infrastructure,” and “preserving,” and the general subject is understandable. Some less common choices are not used accurately or naturally: “restortation” is misspelled, “inculculated” does not fit the intended meaning, and “promote history and culture” would be more naturally expressed as preserving or showcasing them. “Smalls towns” also contains an inaccurate form, while “buildings in towns or art museums” is imprecise. These errors and awkward collocations limit clarity and control, despite the useful range of ideas attempted. Prefer precise, familiar combinations such as “restore historic buildings,” “preserve local heritage,” and “attract visitors,” and check spelling and word forms carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response includes some complex sentence forms, such as the opening contrast between people who support restoration and those who favour new construction, and the clause beginning “even though this can be costly” in the task framing is reflected in your attempt to present opposing views. Most of your own sentences remain understandable, but there are errors in sentence construction and grammatical relationships. For example, “history and culture of particular place” needs an article, and “small towns who still have old monuments” is an incomplete clause rather than a finished example. The final sentence fragment leaves the example unfinished. Use complete sentences, check articles and relative clauses, and vary sentence patterns while keeping each sentence grammatically complete.

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