Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-19

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 6.5)

The population of rural areas is decreasing due to the migration of people toward metropolitan areas all around the world in different countries. I believe this is a predominantly negative development because it accelerates the growth of the population of urban areas, which can lead to overcrowded cities and environmental issues. Secondly, it can affect the job market.

First of all, the dominant influence of city life on countryside people is increasing the population of metropolises. More and more individuals are migrating to cities for a better lifestyle; as a result, cities are facing vast challenges. For instance, overcrowded cities lead to slums and unplanned expansion of land. Furthermore, it can affect the environment through the use of more vehicles, which can result in more carbon dioxide release.

On the other hand, the consequences of migration are highly problematic for the working sector. When the working-age population leaves for cities, fewer workers remain to manage agricultural farming in rural areas, threatening food production. Meanwhile, in the cities, the extreme influx of job seekers creates fierce competition, meaning many migrants end up unemployed or underemployed. For example, in 2020, after the coronavirus disease, more people migrated towards Karachi for income reasons, but it resulted in unemployment and affected so many people.

In conclusion, the mass migration from countryside areas to major cities is a deeply troubling trend. This movement not only triggers urban overcrowding and severe environmental pollution, but it also strips rural areas of the vital workforce needed for agriculture. To prevent future crises, governments must actively invest in rural infrastructure to encourage citizens to stay.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position that this is a negative development. The ideas are relevant and logically extended, covering both urban overcrowding and the impact on the agricultural workforce. The argument is well-supported with a specific example regarding the post-COVID migration in Karachi. To reach a higher band, the student could further develop the environmental argument, perhaps by linking it more explicitly to the 'rural-to-urban' shift rather than just general urban pollution. Overall, the response is well-focused and maintains a clear position throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'Furthermore', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to link ideas. The referencing is generally clear, though some transitions could be more sophisticated to improve the flow between sentences. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points, contributing to a coherent overall structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is sufficient for the task and allows for some precision. The student uses relevant topic-specific terms such as 'metropolitan areas', 'underemployed', 'unplanned expansion', and 'vital workforce'. There are some minor issues with collocation, such as 'countryside people' (better: 'rural inhabitants') and 'working sector' (better: 'labor market'). However, the range is adequate to convey complex ideas clearly, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The use of vocabulary is generally natural and appropriate for an academic context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is a good command of grammar, with most sentences being error-free. Complex structures, such as the conditional 'When the working-age population leaves... fewer workers remain' and the use of participial phrases, are handled well. Punctuation is generally accurate. While there are occasional minor slips, such as 'migration of people toward' (better: 'migration of people to'), these do not interfere with meaning. The control of grammar is consistent throughout the essay.

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