Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-11-14

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In some countries owning a home rather than renting one is very important for people. Why might this be the case? Do you think this is a positive or negative situation?

Student answer (Band 5.5)

People have different views about whether owning a home much more important than renting a home. I believe that is a positive situaition because owning a home comes with several benefits.

On the one hand, renting a home can be beneficial for people with low income wages. This is primarily because you can rent a home at much cheaper price with basic amenities such as a fan, a refrigerator and a washroom. Furthermore, families with low income cant rent a home so that they have a roof to sleep rather living in streets which can affect their health and it can lead to greater stress and poor life experience. For example, individuals leaving their home for studying in foreign countries can rent a place rather buying a new home because renting a house would be cheaper and less time consuming.

On the other hand, owning a home provide several benefits such as freedom to live without any worry. This is mainly because owning a home means to have an access to every corner of the house. Moreover, owning a house means nobody can kick you out of thier own house, the security to sleep peacefully without any worry to leave the place next day will never come and it can also generate some income as well. For example, a home owner can rent a room for his second source of income which can help him in financial security.

In conclusion, renting a home might be useful for people who have low financial freedom, but i believe that owning a home provides more security with an opportunity to earn a side income along with a freedom to live freely.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both parts of the question: you suggest that renting can suit people with limited means, and you clearly state that home ownership is positive because it offers security and possible rental income. These are relevant reasons, and the examples about students renting abroad and homeowners renting out a room help illustrate them. However, the explanation of why owning a home is especially important in some countries is not fully developed; the response focuses more on general advantages and disadvantages of renting and owning. Some points also need clearer explanation, such as how access to every corner of a house creates freedom. To strengthen the response, explain the social or financial reasons behind this preference and develop each main idea with a more precise link to the question.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure, with an introduction, contrasting body paragraphs and a conclusion. The signposts “On the one hand,” “On the other hand” and “In conclusion” make the main stages easy to follow. Ideas within each paragraph are generally grouped by topic, and examples are placed after the relevant claims. However, some connections are mechanical or unclear: “Furthermore” introduces a point that is difficult to understand, and the sentence about low-income families and having “a roof to sleep” does not clearly express the intended relationship. The conclusion repeats the main position but adds little synthesis. Use clearer links between claims and explanations, and make sure each sentence develops the paragraph’s central point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough vocabulary to discuss housing and financial security, including “basic amenities,” “security,” “financial security” and “source of income.” The contrast between renting and owning is also maintained throughout. However, the range is somewhat repetitive, particularly with repeated uses of “home,” “house,” “owning” and “renting,” and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or awkward. Examples include “low income wages,” “low financial freedom,” “a roof to sleep” and “leave the place next day.” Spelling errors such as “situaition,” “thier” and “cant” also reduce accuracy. Build a more precise set of housing-related expressions and check spelling, while choosing natural collocations rather than translating ideas word for word.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentence forms, including clauses introduced by “because,” “which” and “that,” and most of the main ideas remain understandable. However, errors occur in sentence structure, agreement, articles and punctuation. For example, “owning a home provide” needs subject–verb agreement, while “at much cheaper price” needs an article. The opening sentence is also incomplete in its comparison structure: “whether owning a home much more important than renting a home.” In the long sentence beginning “Moreover,” the clause structure becomes difficult to follow. Review agreement and article use, and divide long sentences when they contain several separate claims. More consistently controlled complex sentences would make your reasoning clearer.

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.