Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-10

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 5.5)

It is commonly considered by many individuals that having your own house is of paramount importance, rather then a rented one, in several nations. In my opinion, rented house comes with numerous advantages that must not be overlooked.

One of the significant advantage it brings that people can live wherever they want and can shift to other places with no much headache. This is not possible if we own a personal property. Many people are always in search of better occupations and when they find a better opportunity, they simply move because they want to live near their workplace. For exapmle, if a person gets a high-earning job in London, he can simply go and find a place on rent nearby. On the other hand, if he owns his house in another country, he will miss this opportinity.

Renting a house can be crucial for some individuals who want to manage their funds efficiently. Money management is a crucial skill because it lets people to spend less on unnecessary things and saves a major proportion of their salaries for rent. Buying a house is a difficult task for many and it is a one life-time investment for middle class people. A majorty of individuals in a country rely on low-earning jobs and they find renting a house is more affordable. This can only be possible if he avoid buying a new house and keep living on rents. Although personal house makes you independent and saves montly rents, it comes with a massive cost, which everyone cannot afford.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that people should always live on rents and move accordingly in search of better opportunities in their lives. In this way, they can manage their monthly expenses and buy things accordingly.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You give a clear view that renting is preferable, and your points about moving for work and avoiding the cost of buying are relevant. However, the task asks both why home ownership is important in some countries and whether this is positive or negative. Your response mainly argues for renting, so it does not adequately explain why people value owning a home—for example, security, stability, or investment. The position is also not fully consistent: you acknowledge that ownership brings independence, but do not weigh this against your preference for renting. Develop both parts of the question and explain your judgement with more specific reasoning.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion. The paragraphs generally group related points: mobility is discussed first, followed by affordability and managing money. Linking phrases such as “On the other hand” and “In conclusion” help signal the direction of the argument. However, progression is sometimes weakened by unclear or repetitive connections, particularly in the second body paragraph, where saving money, rent affordability and the cost of buying are combined without a fully clear sequence. The conclusion repeats the preference for renting rather than drawing together the reasons and addressing the question’s wider context. Use clearer topic sentences and connect each example directly to its main point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “paramount importance,” “better occupations,” “manage their funds efficiently” and “affordable,” which helps communicate the main ideas. There is also some attempt to use less common expressions. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “live on rents,” “one life-time investment” and “high-earning job.” Spelling errors, including “exapmle,” “opportinity,” “majorty” and “montly,” are noticeable and reduce the overall control of vocabulary. Aim for accurate, natural phrases rather than elevated wording that does not fit the context. Proofread spelling and learn common collocations related to housing, employment and financial security.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple and complex sentences, including conditional and contrast structures: “if a person gets a high-earning job…” and “Although personal house makes you independent…”. These attempts allow you to explain examples and contrast ideas, and the overall meaning is usually understandable. However, errors in agreement, articles and verb patterns occur in several places. For example, “One of the significant advantage it brings” needs a plural noun and a complete grammatical structure, while “it lets people to spend” uses an incorrect verb pattern. “A majority of individuals… and they find renting…” also shifts awkwardly between singular and plural reference. Review these patterns and check each sentence for a clear subject, correctly formed verb and appropriate article.

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