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, people consider owning a home to be more important than renting one. This preference can be explained by several factors, and I believe that it is generally a positive situation, although it can also create financial pressure for some individuals.

There are several reasons why home ownership is highly valued. First of all, owning a property provides people with a sense of security and stability. Unlike tenants, homeowners do not have to worry about landlords increasing the rent or asking them to leave. This is particularly important for families with children, as having a permanent home can provide a stable environment for raising a family. Secondly, a house is often viewed as a long-term investment. Property prices may increase over time, allowing homeowners to build wealth and potentially benefit financially in the future. In addition, owning a home is often associated with social status and personal success in many cultures.

In my opinion, this situation is mostly positive. Home ownership can encourage people to save money and plan for their future. Once a mortgage has been paid off, homeowners can live without monthly rental payments, which may make their retirement more financially secure. Furthermore, people who own their homes can make changes to the property according to their preferences without needing permission from a landlord.

However, the strong desire to own a home can also have negative consequences. In expensive cities, people may take on very large mortgages simply to buy a property. This can result in considerable financial stress, particularly if interest rates rise or a person's income decreases. Therefore, people should not feel pressured to buy a house if renting is more suitable for their financial circumstances.

In conclusion, people may prefer owning a home because it offers stability, financial security and the possibility of increasing wealth. Although purchasing property can create financial difficulties, I believe that the overall importance placed on home ownership is a positive development when people make this decision within their financial means.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt. You clearly identify reasons for the importance of home ownership, such as security, investment potential, and social status. Your position that it is a positive situation is maintained throughout the essay, while you also provide a balanced view by acknowledging the potential for financial stress. The ideas are well-developed and supported with logical explanations, such as the link between mortgage-free living and retirement security. The response is well-structured and directly answers the 'why' and the 'positive/negative' aspects of the question, meeting all requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, starting with the reasons for home ownership, followed by your opinion on its positive nature, and finally a counter-argument regarding financial risks. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'First of all', 'Secondly', 'In addition', and 'However', which guide the reader smoothly through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points, and referencing is clear throughout the text. The flow is natural and the structure supports the overall argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task. Phrases like 'long-term investment', 'financial circumstances', and 'build wealth' are used accurately. There is a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your ideas with precision. While the vocabulary is generally accurate and natural, it stays within a standard range. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations, such as 'financial burden' instead of 'financial pressure' or 'attain home ownership' instead of 'buy a property'. Overall, the lexical control is solid and supports clear communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('if renting is more suitable') and relative clauses ('which may make their retirement more financially secure'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is consistent. There are no significant errors that impede communication. While your grammar is strong, you could further enhance your score by using a wider variety of advanced structures, such as inversion or more complex passive constructions, to demonstrate even greater flexibility in your writing.

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