Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-09

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 6.5)

In some countries, many people believe that owning a home is more important than renting one. There are several reasons for this situation. In my opinion, I think it is generally a positive development, although it can also create some problems.

One main reason why people prefer to own a home is security. When people have their own house, they do not need to worry about the landlord increasing the rent or asking them to leave. They can also make changes to the house according to their needs. Another reason is that a house is considered a good investment. Property prices can increase over time, so people may be able to sell their house in the future for a higher price. In addition, owning a home can give people a feeling of success and stability.

I believe that this is mostly a positive situation. Firstly, owning a house can provide financial security in the future. After paying a mortgage, people can live in their own home without paying monthly rent. Secondly, a house can be passed to children or other family members, which can help the next generation. However, buying a home is very expensive and people may have to take a large loan. This can cause financial stress, especially if they lose their job.

In conclusion, people prefer to own homes because of security, investment and family reasons. Although buying a house can be expensive and stressful, I believe that home ownership is generally a positive thing when people can afford it.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt: it explains why home ownership is important (security, investment, stability) and provides a clear opinion on whether it is positive or negative. The ideas are relevant and logically developed. For instance, the distinction between financial security and the potential for debt is well-articulated. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific examples or deeper analysis of the societal implications of home ownership versus renting, rather than focusing primarily on individual financial benefits. The position is consistent throughout the essay.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, such as the reasons for ownership in the second paragraph and the evaluation of the situation in the third. Cohesive devices like 'One main reason', 'Another reason', 'In addition', and 'Firstly' are used effectively to guide the reader. The progression of ideas is logical and easy to follow. The use of paragraphing is appropriate, and the transition between the benefits and the drawbacks of home ownership is handled smoothly.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate and appropriate for the task. The student uses relevant terms such as 'mortgage', 'financial security', 'stability', and 'investment'. While the range is sufficient to convey ideas clearly, it lacks the 'less common' or more sophisticated lexical items that would elevate the score to an 8.0. The word choices are accurate, and there are no spelling errors. To improve, the student should aim to incorporate more precise collocations or academic synonyms to demonstrate a wider range of vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. For example, the use of conditional structures ('if they lose their job') and complex sentences ('Although buying a house can be expensive...') is handled correctly. The punctuation is also accurate. The writing is clear and easy to read, with the majority of sentences being error-free. To achieve a higher band, the student could experiment with a greater variety of complex grammatical structures, such as passive voice or inverted conditionals.

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

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