Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-20

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 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 7.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task, answering both why home ownership is important and whether this situation is positive or negative. The introduction clearly sets up the essay's direction. In the second and third paragraphs, the writer explores compelling financial, cultural, and psychological reasons for owning a home, such as 'forced savings' and cultural associations with stability and adulthood. The fourth paragraph directly addresses the second part of the prompt by weighing the positive and negative consequences, noting that while it encourages long-term financial planning, it can also lead young people to take on excessive financial risks or drive up urban property prices. The position is well-maintained throughout and ideas are thoroughly extended, matching the Band 7 and 8 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from reasons for ownership to psychological factors, and finally to a balanced conclusion on its positive and negative impacts. Cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively, such as 'In addition,' 'On the other hand,' and 'Moreover,' which guide the reader effortlessly through the argument. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, separating distinct ideas into clear thematic blocks. Referencing and substitution are managed well, ensuring the text flows logically from start to finish without noticeable mechanical faults.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The writer uses a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic discussion on housing and society. Less common lexical items and collocations are employed effectively, such as 'forced savings,' 'social success,' 'long-term living environment,' and 'housing inequality.' Word choice is generally precise, allowing the writer to convey subtle nuances regarding financial security and psychological comfort. Although there are no glaring lexical errors or spelling mistakes, the range stops just short of the highly sophisticated control required for Band 8, fitting comfortably within the Band 7 descriptor for lexical resource.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response exhibits a strong variety of complex structures and dependent clauses, such as 'while it has certain benefits, it can also create some long-term problems' and 'in economies where property prices rise steadily, owning a home is considered...'. The majority of sentences are error-free, demonstrating a high level of grammatical control and punctuation accuracy. Complex sentence forms are handled confidently without awkward phrasing or structural breakdowns. Minor lapses are virtually absent, placing the grammatical range and accuracy at a very high standard, consistent with a Band 8 level.

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