Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-24

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)

IN SOME COUNTRIES PEOPLE THINKS THAT A HOME OF THEIR OWN IS FAR MORE BETTER THAN A RENTED HOME.FROM MY OPINION, IT IS A VERY POSITIVE SITUATION.

MOST OF THE COUNTRIES ARE OVERLOADED WITH POPULATION GROWTH AND WHICH IS DIRECTLY LINKED TO THE HOUSING SYSTEM.IT COULD BE A HOME OF THEIR OWN OR A RENTED APARTMENT.BOTH OF THEM DEPENDS ON PERSONS FINANCIAL CONDITION,PREFERENCE AND FUTURE PLANNING.

USUALLY IN COUNTRY AREA MOST OF PEOPLE HAVE A HOME OF THEIR OWN WHICH HELPS THEM TO SAVE THE LEASE MONEY,GIVE ACCESS TO CALM,ENVIRONMENT WITH A LOT OF SPACE.HAVING A HOME OF THEIR OWN GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY OF DOING GARDENING AS WELL AS SPENDING TIME TOGTHER WITHOUT ANY EXTERNAL PERMISSIONS.BESIDES, THEY DONT HAVE TO WORRIED ABOUT FUTURE SAVINGS.

ON THE OTHER HAND A RENTED APARTMENT WHICH IS MOST COMMON AMONG CITY DWELLERS,CARRIES A LOT PROBLEM ITSELF RATHER THAN ADVANTAGES.SOME PROBLEMS LIKE LESS SPACE,SCRACITY OF WATER,GAS AND FOLLOWING CERTAIN RULES BY THE OWNER BECOMES A MAJOR PROBLEM.MOREOVER ,THE MAINATANCE COST SOMETIMES GET HIGH AS MOST OF THE MIDDLE CLASS FAMILY CAN NOT AFFORD IT.

THOUGH HAVING A HOME FOR EVERBODY IS NOT POSSIBLE DUE TO LACK OF FINANCIAL CONSTRAINS BUT IT SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO SAVE MONEY FOR A FUTURE HOME WHERE PEOPLE CAN LIVE OF THEIR OWN FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVE.

BUYING A HOUSE HAS BECOME POPULAR IN CITY AREA BUT IT COSTS HIGH RANGE OF PRICES AND A LOT OF PAPERWORKS.HOWEVER IT BECOMES TOUGH DAY BY DAY TO FIND A SUITABLE PLACE IN THE CITY AREA DUE TO ITS OVERCROWDED INFRSTUCTURE.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You give a clear opinion in the opening—home ownership is “a very positive situation”—and offer relevant reasons, including saving rent, having more space and freedom, and avoiding dependence on a landlord. However, the task asks both why ownership is important and whether this is positive or negative, and the explanation of why people value ownership is only partly developed. The discussion shifts between rural homeowners and city renters, then introduces the cost and paperwork of buying without clearly connecting these points to your overall judgement. Some claims, such as rented homes having water or gas shortages, are asserted rather than explained. Develop the social or financial reasons behind the preference and make the positive-versus-negative evaluation consistent throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic paragraph structure and uses signposts such as “On the other hand,” “Moreover,” and “Though,” so the reader can identify a general movement from ownership to renting and then a conclusion. However, progression is uneven: the opening paragraph about population growth and housing does not clearly lead into the later comparison, and the final paragraph about city prices and paperwork feels added on rather than integrated into the argument. Some linking is mechanical, while connections between ideas are unclear—for example, the relationship between population growth and the housing system is not explained. Organise the essay around a clear sequence: reasons for preferring ownership, drawbacks or context, and your evaluation. Use references and transitions to show how each point supports your position.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “financial condition,” “future planning,” “lease money,” and “overcrowded,” which helps communicate the subject. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or unclear, sometimes making the reader pause. Examples include “save the lease money,” “carries a lot problem,” “mainatance cost,” and “live of their own.” Spelling errors such as “scracity,” “togther,” and “infrstucture” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise, natural phrases such as “save on rent,” “has several drawbacks,” and “maintenance costs.” Check spelling carefully and avoid repeating “home of their own” when alternatives such as “owning a property” or “home ownership” would be clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a contrast introduced by “Though” and a relative clause in “which helps them to save.” However, control is inconsistent, and frequent errors affect agreement, verb forms, articles, and sentence construction. For example, “people thinks” should be “people think,” “Both of them depends” should be “Both of them depend,” and “Having a home … give them” needs “gives.” The sentence beginning “Though having a home for everybody…” is also difficult to follow because its clauses are not joined clearly. Punctuation and sentence boundaries need attention, as several ideas run together. Practise building accurate sentences first, then add subordinate clauses and check subject–verb agreement.

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.