Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-21

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 7.0)

In the past two decades, an increasing number of people have migrated from rural areas to well-developed cities in search of better living conditions. It is often argued that this trend can reduce the rural population and lead to a shortage of workers, potentially affecting the local economy. However, I believe that the advantages of this development outweigh its disadvantages because urban areas generally provide better career opportunities, education and healthcare facilities.

To begin with, migration provides people with greater career opportunities and higher salaries. In many rural areas, there is a lack of employment opportunities, quality education and adequate healthcare facilities. For this reason, students often move to cities or even other countries to pursue higher education. Developed cities and countries offer a wider range of employment opportunities, while educational institutions are often equipped with advanced technology, computer facilities and science laboratories. They also organize workshops and practical training programmes, which may not be readily available in rural areas. In addition, healthcare services are generally more advanced in urban center's. For example, people living in remote areas may have to travel long distances to reach a well-equipped hospital, whereas city residents can usually access specialized medical services more easily. Therefore, moving to cities can significantly improve people's quality of life.

On the other hand, large-scale migration from rural areas can have some negative consequences. It may result in a shortage of skilled workers and laborer's in the countryside. Many rural communities depend heavily on agriculture and small businesses, which require a stable local workforce. For instance, if a large number of young people move abroad or to major cities for better employment opportunities, local farms and small businesses may struggle to find sufficient workers. Consequently, agricultural production could decline, while some small businesses might be forced to reduce their operations or close down. This could have a negative impact on the economy of rural communities.

In conclusion, although rural-to-urban migration can negatively affect local businesses and agriculture by reducing the available workforce, I believe it is a positive development overall. Better employment opportunities, education and healthcare can substantially improve people's living standards and provide them with greater opportunities to develop their careers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, with specific examples provided for both the advantages (education, healthcare, career) and the disadvantages (shortage of labor, impact on agriculture). The ideas are extended logically, and the conclusion effectively summarizes your stance. To reach a higher band, ensure that the discussion of the 'negative' side is balanced with the 'positive' side to show a more nuanced understanding of the complexity of the issue, though your current development is sufficient for a strong score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'To begin with,' 'In addition,' 'On the other hand,' and 'Consequently.' The transition between the advantages and the disadvantages is smooth. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is easy to follow. The structure is coherent, and the use of linking words is natural rather than mechanical, which contributes to a professional and academic tone throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task. Phrases like 'well-developed cities,' 'specialized medical services,' and 'agricultural production' show a solid command of topic-specific language. There are occasional minor errors in word form, such as 'urban center's' (should be 'urban centers') and 'laborer's' (should be 'laborers'). While the vocabulary is sufficient and precise enough to convey your meaning clearly, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations would elevate the response further. Overall, the lexical range is adequate and supports the clarity of your arguments well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use complex sentences effectively to explain cause and effect, such as 'if a large number of young people move abroad... local farms and small businesses may struggle.' There are very few grammatical errors, and those present (such as the unnecessary apostrophes in 'center's' and 'laborer's') do not impede communication. The punctuation is generally accurate, and the sentence control is strong. To achieve a higher band, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex structures, such as passive voice or conditional variations, to demonstrate even greater flexibility.

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