Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-17

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 many countries, people place great importance on owning a home rather than renting one. This preference is driven by a combination of financial, cultural, and psychological factors, and while it has certain benefits, it can also create some long-term problems in society.

One major reason is financial security. A house is often seen as a valuable asset that increases in worth over time, whereas rent is viewed as money spent without return. In economies where property prices rise steadily, owning a home is considered a form of forced savings and a reliable investment for retirement. In addition, cultural expectations play a role. In many societies, including parts of Asia and the Middle East, home ownership is associated with stability, adulthood, and social success. Renting, on the other hand, may be viewed as temporary or even a sign of financial weakness.

Psychologically, owning a home also provides a sense of control and permanence. People feel more settled when they have their own property, as it reduces uncertainty about landlords or rent increases. This stability is especially important for families who want to create a long-term living environment.

In my view, this trend has both positive and negative consequences. On the positive side, it encourages saving and long-term financial planning. However, it can also create pressure on young people to buy property early, sometimes leading them to take large mortgages or financial risks. Moreover, in cities where housing demand is high, this mindset can drive prices up further and make housing less affordable for those who cannot buy.

Taking everything into account, the importance placed on home ownership is mainly linked to financial security, cultural values, and stability. While it has clear advantages, it can also contribute to financial stress and housing inequality if it becomes an excessive social expectation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. The student clearly explains why owning a home is important by discussing financial security, cultural expectations, and psychological stability in well-developed paragraphs. The second part of the prompt—whether this situation is positive or negative—is also directly addressed in the conclusion and body paragraphs, where the writer weighs benefits such as forced savings against drawbacks like financial stress and housing unaffordability. The position is clear throughout the text, and ideas are extended with relevant explanations rather than merely stated. For instance, the discussion on how housing demand drives up prices provides a strong, logical extension of the negative consequences. This performance aligns comfortably with the Band 7 descriptors, as all parts of the prompt are addressed with a clear position and well-supported ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from the introduction of the trend to financial, cultural, and psychological reasons, before shifting to the evaluation of positive and negative aspects, and finally concluding. Cohesive devices are used effectively without being overbearing, such as 'whereas rent is viewed', 'In addition', and 'On the positive side'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each new idea or perspective given its own paragraph. Referencing is clear and easy to follow. Because the structure flows naturally and logical progression is maintained from start to finish, this response easily satisfies the criteria for Band 7.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary with good flexibility and precision, suitable for an academic task. Less common lexical items are used appropriately, such as 'valuable asset', 'forced savings', 'psychological stability', and 'housing inequality'. Collocations are generally natural, as seen in 'financial security' and 'cultural expectations'. There are occasional slight generalisations, but spelling and word choice are accurate and never impede communication. The use of transitional phrases and precise descriptors elevates the language beyond the basic level, showing an awareness of style appropriate for Band 7.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The writer exhibits a good control of grammar and punctuation, employing a variety of complex structures alongside simple ones. Examples of complex structures include concessive and conditional clauses such as 'whereas rent is viewed as money spent without return' and 'in economies where property prices rise steadily'. There is a high frequency of error-free sentences, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout. While minor improvements could be made to push towards higher complexity, the majority of sentences are accurate and the control demonstrated is fully consistent with a Band 7 score.

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