Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-07-24

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In many countries around the world, rural people are moving to cities, so the population in the countryside is decreasing.

Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

 

Student answer (Band 8.0)

The growing trend of rural residents relocating to urban areas has led to a decline in the population of the countryside in many countries. In my opinion, this is largely a positive development because it provides people with better employment opportunities and access to high-quality public services.

To begin with, moving to cities enables people to improve their standard of living. Urban areas offer a wider range of employment opportunities, allowing individuals to earn higher incomes and support their families more effectively. In addition, cities are equipped with modern industries and businesses that create stable jobs and encourage economic growth. As a result, many rural residents migrate to urban centres in search of a more secure and prosperous future. For example, numerous young people relocate to major cities after completing their education because they can find better-paying jobs and enjoy a higher quality of life.

Furthermore, cities provide better educational and healthcare facilities than rural areas. Urban centres usually have well-established schools, universities, and hospitals with modern equipment and qualified professionals. Consequently, people can receive a better education and timely medical treatment, which contributes to their overall well-being. For instance, parents often move to cities to ensure that their children have access to quality education and greater career opportunities in the future.

In conclusion, I believe that the movement of people from rural areas to cities is a positive development. Although it may create some challenges for urban areas, the benefits of improved employment prospects, better education, and advanced healthcare outweigh the disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses the prompt by clearly stating a position that the trend is positive and supporting it with relevant arguments regarding employment and public services. The ideas are well-developed, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct benefit. The introduction and conclusion effectively frame the argument, and the response maintains a consistent focus throughout. To reach a higher band, the student could acknowledge the potential negative impacts on rural areas more explicitly to provide a more balanced perspective, as the prompt asks for an evaluation of the development, which often benefits from a nuanced discussion of both sides before concluding.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'In addition', 'Furthermore', and 'Consequently' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The flow of information is natural, and the reader can easily follow the writer's argument. The use of referencing is clear, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive usage.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'relocating', 'urban centres', 'prosperous future', and 'well-established'. The word choice is generally precise, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. While the vocabulary is accurate and functional, it lacks some of the more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations that would characterize a band 8 or 9 response. However, the range is more than adequate for the task, and the student demonstrates a good command of academic register throughout the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay demonstrates a good range of complex structures, such as the use of participial phrases ('allowing individuals to earn...') and conditional-like structures ('if...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no major grammatical errors that cause confusion. The sentence variety is good, mixing simple and complex forms effectively to maintain the reader's interest. The accuracy is high, with only very minor or occasional slips, which is consistent with a high-level performance in this criterion.

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