Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-22

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 rural population is decreasing as people are moving to urban areas in many countries around the world. I believe that this is a negative development.

There are several reasons why this trend can be considered negative. First of all, if people from rural areas continue to move to cities, the urban population will increase. This will lead to higher levels of carbon dioxide emissions, causing severe environmental pollution and reducing the quality of life in cities. In addition, competition in the urban job market will increase as the population grows. Consequently, unemployment may rise, placing a heavy burden on the government and potentially harming the national economy.

Besides, many buildings will need to be constructed to meet the growing demand, and a huge number of trees may be cut down. This will directly affect the environment, while birds may lose their natural habitats. The number of vehicles will also increase, which may cause traffic congestion and hinder economic growth. Moreover, as people move from rural areas to cities, the number of agricultural workers may decline. Consequently, crop production could decrease, which may seriously affect people across the country. Furthermore, if the urban population increases significantly, crimes such as theft and robbery may become more common. As a result, people may no longer feel safe, and this could cause considerable psychological stress and social instability.

Finally, overpopulation could become a serious burden on the government. Therefore, I believe that the government should take immediate measures to address this issue. Individuals also have a responsibility to help tackle the negative consequences of rural-to-urban migration.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response clearly addresses the prompt by taking a firm position that rural-to-urban migration is a negative development. The ideas are relevant and logically grouped, covering environmental, economic, and social consequences. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat superficial. For instance, the link between rural migration and 'crimes such as theft' is asserted without sufficient explanation or nuance. While the response covers all parts of the task, it tends to list several negative impacts rather than exploring a few key points in greater depth. To reach a higher band, you should aim to provide more specific examples or a more detailed analysis of the causal links between the migration and the resulting problems.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a brief conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, such as environmental impact or economic consequences. You use a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'First of all', 'In addition', 'Consequently', and 'Moreover', which help guide the reader through your arguments. The progression of ideas is generally smooth. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the conclusion is quite abrupt, merely restating the need for government action without synthesizing the main points discussed. Improving the sophistication of your linking phrases would enhance the flow of the essay.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'urban areas', 'carbon dioxide emissions', 'agricultural workers', and 'social instability'. The language is generally accurate and conveys your meaning clearly. However, the vocabulary is somewhat functional and lacks the 'less common' or 'idiomatic' items required for higher bands. There is also some repetition of basic structures and word choices. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic collocations and synonyms to avoid repeating words like 'increase' or 'negative' multiple times. Overall, the lexical range is sufficient to communicate your ideas without difficulty.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You show good control over basic grammar, and your sentences are generally error-free, which ensures that your message is easy to follow. There are some attempts at complex sentences, such as 'if people from rural areas continue to move to cities, the urban population will increase', which are handled correctly. However, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited. To achieve a higher score, you should aim to incorporate a wider variety of grammatical forms, such as passive voice constructions or more sophisticated conditional clauses, while maintaining the high level of accuracy you currently display.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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