Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-14

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 7.0)

In some countries, owning a home is considered much more important than renting one. This can be explained by cultural expectations, financial considerations, and the desire for long-term security. In my opinion, although home ownership can provide several important benefits, placing too much importance on it can also have negative consequences.

One major reason why people prefer to own their homes is the sense of stability and security that ownership provides. Homeowners do not have to worry about landlords increasing the rent or asking them to leave. In addition, owning property is often regarded as a sign of financial success and social status. In many societies, parents encourage their children to buy a house because it is seen as an important part of becoming financially independent and establishing a family.

Another reason is that property is commonly viewed as a good long-term investment. House prices may increase over time, allowing owners to build wealth and have a valuable asset for their retirement. By contrast, rent payments do not usually provide the tenant with an asset after many years of living in a property.

Overall, I believe that the importance placed on home ownership is largely positive. Having a secure place to live and owning a valuable asset can provide people with financial and emotional stability. However, it becomes negative when people feel pressured to buy a home they cannot comfortably afford, as this can lead to excessive debt and financial stress. Therefore, owning a home can be beneficial, but it should be a personal financial choice rather than a social obligation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by explaining why owning a home is important (cultural expectations, financial security, and long-term investment) and clearly stating a position on whether this is positive or negative. The introduction outlines the main points, and body paragraphs provide relevant explanations. For instance, the second paragraph explains the psychological and social value of stability, while the third explores investment potential. The conclusion synthesises these ideas by acknowledging both the benefits of stability and the risks of excessive debt, resulting in a well-developed and balanced response that meets all task requirements effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Ideas are structured logically, beginning with an introduction that sets out the essay's direction, followed by distinct body paragraphs focusing on security and investment, and concluding with a balanced summary. Cohesive devices are used effectively and appropriately, such as 'In addition', 'By contrast', and 'Overall', which help guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used sufficiently, with each paragraph focusing on a central theme, such as social status or financial investment, ensuring smooth transitions between ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The writer uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with some flexibility and precision appropriate for an academic essay. Less common lexical items such as 'cultural expectations', 'financial independence', 'long-term investment', and 'excessive debt' are integrated naturally and accurately. Word choice and collocations are generally strong, as seen in phrases like 'social status' and 'emotional stability'. Although the vocabulary is not overly complex or advanced throughout every single sentence, it is accurate, appropriate, and fully adequate to convey precise meanings without impeding communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures alongside simple sentences, showing strong control over grammar and punctuation. Examples of complex structures include concessive clauses ('although home ownership can provide several important benefits, placing too much importance on it can also have negative consequences') and relative clauses ('a valuable asset for their retirement'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout. While the structural range is somewhat standard rather than exceptionally sophisticated, the grammatical accuracy is consistently high, allowing the reader to follow the arguments effortlessly.

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.