Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-24

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 6.5)

In recent decades, a global demographic shift has emerged where rural resident increasingly relocate to urban centers, leading to a noticeable depletion of countryside population. In my opinion, while this migration offers individual better personal opportunities, it represents an overwhelming negative development for both rural and urban communities at large.

The trend of moving to cities means that there are more people concentrated in urban areas, which can help improve certain fields that thrive in cities, such as technology and innovation. For example, most labels are established in bustling urban areas where they have more resources and attract more talented individuals to work for them. This concentration can accelerate progress and contribute to the economy of a country.

However, the movement from rural areas to cities also brings several negative consequences. Firstly, the depopulation of the countryside leads to a decline in agriculture, which can impact food production and increase dependency on imports. This shift might also result in the loss of traditional practices and a disconnection from nature, as younger generations grow up without exposure to rural life.

Moreover, the overpopulation in cities creates numerous challenges, such as increased traffic congestion, pollution, and a higher cost of living. The infrastructure in many cities is not designed to handle such a large influx of people, leading to overcrowded public transport systems, inadequate housing, and insufficient public services. These issues can decrease the quality of life for urban residents.

In conclusion, while the migration from rural areas to cities may offer some economic and technological benefits, it is essential to recognize the adverse effects it has on both rural and urban populations. The decline in the countryside and the growing challenges in cities indicate that this trend is more of a negative development than a positive one.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the task, providing a clear position that the migration is a negative development. The ideas are relevant and well-supported, particularly the discussion on agricultural decline and urban infrastructure strain. The argument is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific, real-world examples to illustrate the points, such as mentioning a specific country or region experiencing these issues. The development is logical, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the main points discussed in the body paragraphs.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices are used effectively, such as 'However', 'Firstly', and 'Moreover', which help guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The referencing is generally clear, though some transitions could be slightly more sophisticated to improve the flow between sentences. Overall, the structure is coherent and supports the development of the argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'demographic shift', 'noticeable depletion', and 'influx of people' are used effectively. There are some minor inaccuracies, such as 'rural resident' (should be plural 'residents') and 'most labels' (likely meant 'most businesses' or 'companies'). While the vocabulary is adequate for the task, incorporating more idiomatic or less common collocations would elevate the score. The errors present do not impede communication and the tone remains appropriately academic throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is good control over grammar, with many error-free sentences. However, there are occasional slips, such as 'rural resident increasingly relocate' (should be 'residents increasingly relocate') and 'individual better personal opportunities' (should be 'individuals better personal opportunities'). Punctuation is generally accurate, and the errors present are minor and do not cause difficulty for the reader. To achieve a higher band, the student should aim for more consistent subject-verb agreement and a wider variety of complex grammatical structures.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.