Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-10-17

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 4.5)

It is widey acknowledged that Old buildings vs new buildings, has become an increasingly contentious issue in contemprary society. While some proponents assert justification some people believe that old buildungs leave it as it as these have look .This easy will critically exmain the issue before reaching a balanced conclusion .

To commence with , one compelling justification that opposing view people believed leave the old bulidings as it , i firmly contend that my oppinion is need to replacement like constration work.This is largely attributed to for example the old buildings are currently walls are not in well condition lookly like now fall down , visitor are not save in that condition if wrose contidion need to care the old buildings .As a result , it is reasonable to infer that result our historical places are not save .

Another consisderation is the second reason is if the governent buildings even though really costly currently time .Frome a broader perspective , this may give rise significant development in old buildings .A pertinent example is if government built new buildings like replacement of old buildings that will be too costly totaly changes historal galleries and town halls , which clearly the potential undersecore impact in the trem .

To recapitulate , although differing viewpoints persist the perponderance f evidence supports the view that my oppinion is no need to replacement of new buildings if the government build that will be too cosly . And buildings our historical place .Therefore , adopting the approach appear both pragmetic and beneficial in the long term.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response4.0
Coherence and Cohesion4.0
Lexical Resource4.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy4.5
Overall4.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You attempt to discuss both positions and state a preference for retaining historic buildings, so the response is connected to the question. However, the discussion is only minimally developed: the first body paragraph mentions safety concerns, while the next refers to the cost of replacement, but neither view is explained clearly or supported with a relevant, specific example. Your position is also difficult to follow because you first say replacement is needed, then conclude that there is “no need to replacement.” This contradiction prevents a clear, sustained answer to the task. To strengthen the response, explain the benefits of restoration as well as the case for modern buildings, then state one consistent opinion and support it with a concrete example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

The response has an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion, and signposting such as “To commence with” and “To recapitulate” shows an attempt to organise the essay. However, ideas are not arranged coherently enough for the reader to follow the argument. Several sentences are incomplete or unclear, including “From a broader perspective, this may give rise significant development in old buildings,” and the conclusion conflicts with the earlier claim that replacement is needed. Linking phrases sometimes announce a point without showing how it relates to the argument. Build each paragraph around one clear claim, explain it in a logical sequence, and use references and transitions that make the relationship between ideas explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You attempt some topic-related and formal vocabulary, including “contentious issue,” “historical places,” “replacement” and “long term.” These choices show an effort to discuss the topic beyond very basic language. However, spelling errors and inaccurate word combinations frequently make the meaning difficult to understand: examples include “widey acknowledged,” “old buildungs,” “not save,” and “too cosly.” Some phrases also do not express a clear idea, such as “significant development in old buildings.” Aim for accurate, natural collocations and check spelling carefully. More precise wording would help you explain the contrast between preserving historic character, ensuring public safety and funding modern construction.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt longer sentence forms, including a concession in “although differing viewpoints persist” and a conditional idea beginning “if the government built new buildings.” However, control of sentence structure is weak, and frequent errors can distort meaning. For example, “some proponents assert justification some people believe” lacks a clear grammatical connection, while “the old buildings are currently walls are not in well condition” combines clauses incorrectly. There are also problems with articles, agreement and verb forms, as in “visitor are not save” and “the perponderance … supports the view that my oppinion is.” Practise writing clear subject–verb sentences first, then add subordinate clauses, checking that each clause has a complete and consistent structure.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.