Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Recent IELTS Exams (Canada & India) · 2026-10-27

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 5.5)

Historic monuments are a bridge between the present and the past. Some people assert that such old architectures should be preserved and restored if necessary, even if it costs a fortune, where as others suggest that we should utilise such place to build modern buildings. From my perspective, the historical landmarks such as art galleries and town halls should be protected at all costs because those places can provide a considerable detail information to our society.

To sum up, there are some reasons why such places needs to be maintained. The first and foremost reason is the source of information about past development. Students and other citizens can visit with their family to understand their roots and lifestyle. Such places explain the struggle in the ancient time with minimum resources. Students can satisfy their feeling by seeing centuries old objects which they have only read in the books.

On the other hand, opposing people argue that there is no use to spend a fortune on such places. We should not digging into our past, but look for what is coming next. These space or buildings should be used for science and research center which could provide more benefits to the young people. They also advise that humans can not have a control on what has already happened, but we have control on our future so we should spend money wisely on the projects which could actually helpful to our society.

To sum up, although historical building can be expensive to maintain, they should not be replaced by new building. Children and young students can watch real objects that they have only read in books which will ultimately satisfy their feelings.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You present a clear opinion that historic buildings should be protected, and you discuss both preservation and replacement. The explanation of preservation is relevant: visitors can learn about past lifestyles and see objects they have encountered in books. You also give a reason for the opposing view, namely that funds could support science and research. However, the two sides are not developed equally, and the case for modern buildings remains general: it is not explained how replacing a town hall or gallery would deliver these benefits. The opening also describes the alternative as using old places to build modern ones, which is not quite the same as replacing them. Develop each view with a specific example and explain your reasoning more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a concluding opinion. This helps the reader follow the broad argument. However, progression within and between paragraphs is sometimes unclear, and the repeated phrase “To sum up” is used both before the discussion and at the conclusion. The first body paragraph begins “To sum up” even though it introduces a reason, while “On the other hand” provides a clearer transition to the opposing view. Some references are also vague, such as “these space or buildings,” making it harder to identify exactly what is being discussed. Use topic sentences that state each paragraph’s purpose, vary linking expressions, and connect each supporting detail explicitly to its main point.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range for the topic, including phrases such as “historical landmarks,” “preserved and restored,” “past development,” and “science and research center.” These choices communicate the main ideas and show an attempt to use topic-specific vocabulary. There are also several inaccurate or unnatural word combinations and forms, including “old architectures,” “a considerable detail information,” and “satisfy their feeling.” Such choices sometimes make the meaning less precise, even though the overall message remains understandable. Aim for natural collocations and accurate word forms, for example, “historic buildings,” “valuable information,” and “satisfy their curiosity.” Proofreading for spelling and spacing would also help, as in “where as” and “utilise such place.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a conditional phrase (“even if it costs a fortune”) and a contrast structure beginning “although.” The main argument is generally understandable, but some errors in agreement, verb forms, articles, and sentence construction remain. For example, “such places needs to be maintained” should use a plural verb, and “We should not digging” needs a correctly formed verb after “should.” In “which could actually helpful,” the clause is missing a verb, while “historical building” and “new building” need plural forms in this context. These errors do not prevent the reader from following the overall position, but they reduce accuracy. Review subject–verb agreement and modal verb patterns, then check each sentence for a complete verb phrase.

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