Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-19

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 7.0)

In many countries, an increasing number of people are moving from rural areas to cities, which is causing the population of the countryside to decline. In my opinion, this is a negative development because it can create pressure on cities and reduce the population and economic activity of rural areas.

One major disadvantage is that rapid population growth can put considerable pressure on cities. When many people move to urban areas, there may be greater demand for housing, transport, healthcare and other public services. As a result, cities can experience problems such as traffic congestion, expensive housing and overcrowding. For example, when people from villages move to large cities in search of jobs, they may find it difficult to afford good accommodation, particularly if their income is low.

Another problem is that rural areas can lose a significant part of their working population. Many young people leave villages because they want better education and employment opportunities. Consequently, fewer people may remain to work in agriculture and maintain local businesses. This can also lead to the decline of small villages and communities. For instance, if most young adults leave a farming community, agricultural production may decrease and older residents may have to manage the remaining work.

However, moving to cities can provide individuals with better access to education, employment and modern facilities. Nevertheless, I believe that the disadvantages are more significant when this migration happens on a large scale and without proper planning.

In conclusion, although rural-to-urban migration can provide better opportunities for individuals, I believe that the overall development is negative because it can cause overcrowding in cities and weaken rural communities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by clearly stating a position from the outset (that rural-to-urban migration is a negative development) and supporting it with well-developed ideas. In the body paragraphs, the writer examines two distinct and relevant negative impacts: urban overcrowding and the economic and demographic decline of rural areas. The arguments are extended logically, for example, by explaining how young people leaving villages leads to a decrease in agricultural production. The writer also acknowledges the counterargument that cities provide better opportunities, which demonstrates a balanced exploration of the prompt before reaffirming the main stance. Overall, the ideas are thoroughly discussed and the task is fully satisfied.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are coherently structured, starting with a distinct introduction, followed by two well-supported body paragraphs addressing different aspects of the issue, a brief counterargument paragraph, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'One major disadvantage', 'Another problem', 'Consequently', and 'However' are used flexibly and appropriately to connect ideas and paragraphs. Paragraphing is managed effectively, with each paragraph focusing on a central theme. Referencing throughout the text is clear and precise, ensuring the reader can effortlessly follow the line of argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary for the task, with a good mix of common and less common lexical items. Expressions such as 'rapid population growth', 'traffic congestion', 'agricultural production', and 'rural-to-urban migration' show an awareness of collocation and topic-specific vocabulary. There are occasional attempts at more sophisticated phrasing, and word choices are generally precise and natural. Spelling and word formation are entirely accurate throughout the text, allowing the reader to engage with the content smoothly without any disruption caused by lexical limitations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The writing exhibits a good variety of complex sentence structures, including conditional structures ('if most young adults leave a farming community...') and subordinate clauses ('when people from villages move to large cities...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the writer demonstrates good control of grammar and punctuation. There are only very occasional minor slips, but these do not impede communication or strain the reader. Verb tenses, articles, and subject-verb agreement are handled accurately across the entire text, reflecting a solid command of English grammar appropriate for a strong upper-intermediate to advanced level.

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.