Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-04

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 7.5)

In some countries, owning a house is considered more important than renting one. This is mainly because home ownership provides financial security and a sense of stability. In my opinion, this is generally a positive development, although it can create financial pressure for some people.

In this paragraph, there are several reasons why people prefer to own their homes. First, owning a property is often seen as a long-term investment. Instead of paying rent every month, people can build an asset that may increase in value over time. Second, homeowners have greater freedom to decorate or modify their houses according to their preferences. In contrast, tenants may have restrictions imposed by landlords. Furthermore, having a permanent home can provide families with a strong sense of security, particularly for people with children.

I believe that this trend has more advantages than disadvantages. Home ownership can provide financial stability in later life because people may no longer need to pay rent after completing their mortgage. It can also give individuals a feeling of achievement and independence. However, purchasing a house can be expensive, and taking a large mortgage may cause financial stress. Some people may also become less willing to move to another city for better employment opportunities.

In conclusion, people value home ownership because it offers security, independence and the possibility of financial gain. Despite the high cost and reduced flexibility, I believe that owning a home is mostly a positive situation when people can afford it without excessive financial pressure.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt: it explains why home ownership is valued (financial security, stability, freedom) and provides a clear opinion on whether this is positive or negative. The position is consistent throughout the essay. Ideas are relevant and logically developed, such as the contrast between the flexibility of owning a home versus the restrictions imposed by landlords. The conclusion effectively synthesizes the main points. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific examples or deeper analysis of the societal implications of home ownership, rather than focusing primarily on individual benefits.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is well-organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the reasons for ownership and the evaluation of the trend is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'First', 'Second', 'Furthermore', 'In contrast', and 'However' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is logical and appropriate. The flow of information is natural, and referencing is clear throughout the text. The structure is coherent, and the relationship between ideas is easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a high band in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'financial security', 'long-term investment', 'mortgage', and 'employment opportunities'. The language is natural and precise, with no significant errors in word choice or collocation. While the range is adequate for the task, it does not consistently demonstrate the 'less common' or 'sophisticated' lexical items required for the highest bands. However, the vocabulary used is accurate and contributes to the clarity of the argument throughout the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a good control of grammar and punctuation. There is a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'Instead of paying rent every month, people can build an asset that may increase in value over time.' The majority of sentences are error-free, and the few minor slips do not impede communication. Punctuation is used correctly to separate clauses and list items. The grammatical control is consistent, and the variety of structures used is sufficient to convey complex ideas clearly and effectively.

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