Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-02

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 many countries, owning a home is considered more important than renting, and it is often seen as a key marker of success and long-term stability. This preference is shaped by cultural traditions, financial beliefs, and the human desire for security and permanence in life.

On the positive side, home ownership provides a strong sense of stability and independence. People do not have to worry about rent increases, sudden eviction, or changing landlords, which helps them feel more settled and in control of their lives. It also encourages long-term planning, as families are more likely to invest in their surroundings and build stronger relationships within their community. Financially, a house is often viewed as a valuable asset that can increase in worth over time, helping individuals build wealth and security for the future. Moreover, owning a home gives many people emotional satisfaction and pride, as it represents hard work, achievement, and personal success.

However, there are also clear disadvantages to this mindset. Purchasing a property requires a very large financial commitment, often involving long-term loans that can place heavy pressure on individuals and families. This can reduce financial freedom and make it difficult to handle unexpected expenses. It also limits flexibility, as homeowners may find it harder to move for better job opportunities, education, or lifestyle changes. In some cases, social pressure to buy a house can push people into making risky financial decisions before they are truly ready.

In conclusion, while home ownership offers stability, emotional satisfaction, and financial benefits, I believe it should not be treated as more important than renting. The best choice depends on a person’s financial situation, priorities, and future plans, and both options should be seen as equally valid.

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AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by explaining why home ownership is valued and offering a clear opinion on whether this is a positive or negative situation. A clear position is maintained throughout the essay. Ideas are well extended and supported, such as when discussing the financial benefits and the flexibility drawbacks of buying a property. However, there is a slight tendency to over-generalise points without providing concrete examples from a specific context, which prevents the response from reaching the highest tier. Overall, the task is thoroughly covered with well-developed arguments that fully answer both questions in the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay presents a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with an introduction, followed by well-defined body paragraphs for the positive and negative aspects, and a balanced conclusion. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and appropriately, such as 'On the positive side', 'However', and 'Moreover', which help to guide the reader smoothly through the arguments. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately. While referencing and substitution are well managed, occasionally smoother transitional links between sentences could elevate the flow further to match the highest bands.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary with some flexibility and precision, such as using terms like 'key marker of success', 'financial commitment', and 'unexpected expenses'. Less common lexical items are employed with a good awareness of style and collocation, including 'long-term stability' and 'emotional satisfaction'. There are occasional minor inaccuracies or common word choices, but overall the vocabulary is more than adequate to convey precise meanings. Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout, ensuring that communication is never impeded and showcasing a strong command of academic lexis.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The writing exhibits a wide range of complex sentence structures used accurately and flexibly, such as 'People do not have to worry about rent increases... which helps them feel more settled' and 'Purchasing a property requires a very large financial commitment, often involving long-term loans...'. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, reflecting an excellent control of grammar and punctuation. There are only very occasional minor slips, but these do not detract from the overall high quality of the phrasing. Verb forms, tenses, subject-verb agreement, and articles are handled with a high degree of precision throughout the essay.

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