Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-14
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 5.5)
Due to increasing globalization, in many countries, villagers and the people who lives in a countryside are moving to the cities, which eventually decreases the population from countryside and villages. This essay will evaluate whether this development is positive or negative.
To begin with, the statement might sound beneficial but it has more negative impacts. Firstly, as people move to the cities, the population in countryside reduces. However, the population in cities are increasing dramatically. Secondly, sudden increases in population brings certain problems such as traffic congestion and housing crisis. Moreover, most of the people move to the cities for better opportunities and jobs. So when they come to the city, the competition for the local individuals in city will increases. In many cases, it results in the reduction of salary as well. Additionally, sharp growth in number of people can also create problems for the authorities.
On the other hand, in country like India, where majority of civilization is dependent on agriculture, the agriculture sector will be highly impacted as people moves to the cities. Furthermore, the reduction in population in village areas could be the reason for the disappearance of the villages in the future.
However, to reduce the number of moving people, government can provide similar facilities and benefits to the villagers such as internet and jobs.
In conclusion, the exodus from villages and countryside can disbalance in the population which could become the reason for many other problems. That is why, I believe that it is a negative development.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses the prompt by taking a clear position that the migration is a negative development. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you mention traffic, housing, and agricultural impact, these points are presented as a list rather than being fully extended with detailed explanations or specific examples. For instance, the point about salary reduction is mentioned but not clearly linked to the migration process. To reach a higher band, ensure each main idea is supported by a clear explanation or a concrete example that demonstrates the 'why' and 'how' of your argument.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear progression of ideas. You use some cohesive devices such as 'To begin with,' 'Firstly,' 'Moreover,' and 'In conclusion' to guide the reader. However, some transitions feel mechanical, and the logical flow between sentences is occasionally interrupted by grammatical errors. For example, the transition 'However, to reduce the number of moving people' is slightly abrupt. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that referencing (e.g., 'this development') is used more precisely would enhance the overall flow and coherence of the essay.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to express your ideas clearly. You use some topic-specific terms like 'globalization,' 'traffic congestion,' and 'agriculture sector.' However, there are instances of imprecise word choice and collocation errors, such as 'disbalance in the population' (imbalance) and 'majority of civilization' (population). The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on basic descriptors. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic collocations and synonyms to avoid repetition and demonstrate a more sophisticated command of the language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Common issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'people who lives,' 'population in cities are,' 'competition... will increases') and article usage. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are persistent throughout the text. To achieve a higher band, focus on proofreading for basic agreement rules and diversifying your sentence structures by using more complex clauses correctly. Reducing these frequent errors will significantly improve the clarity and professional tone of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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