Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-25

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 4.0)

The issue of popullation in rural area has engendered considerable controversy in contemporary society, with divergent perspectives emerging regarding its overall significance. While one school of thought maintains that popullation in rural area should be viewed from one particular standpoint, another contends that an alternative perspective deserves greater recognition. In my view, although both positions possess a degree of legitimacy, the latter perspective is ultimately more compelling. This essay will critically examine both viewpoints before reaching a reasoned conclusion.

At the outset, advocates of popullation in rural area advance the contention that it constitutes a consequential aspect of modern society. Their standpoint is predominantly predicated upon the assumption that popullation in rural area can exert a substantial influence on individuals and society at large. Moreover, proponents argue that its ramifications can transcend immediate circumstances and manifest themselves in multifaceted ways. From this perspective, therefore, popullation in rural area represents an indispensable consideration that should not be underestimated or dismissed without due deliberation.

Conversely, an opposing school of thought maintains that popullation in rural area should be approached from an entirely different perspective. The principal justification for this position is that its implications may be considerably more profound than they initially appear. Furthermore, supporters of this viewpoint contend that insufficient attention to the broader dimensions of popullation in rural area could give rise to unforeseen and potentially detrimental consequences. Consequently, this perspective has gained substantial recognition among those who believe that a more comprehensive approach is indispensable.

In conclusion, it is evident that popullation in rural area remains an inherently multifaceted issue, capable of being interpreted from contrasting standpoints. Although the arguments presented by both sides possess a certain degree of validity, I remain of the view that the latter perspective is more convincing. Ultimately, a balanced and comprehensive consideration of popullation in rural area is indispensable if its broader implications are to be properly understood and appropriately addressed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The response fails to address the prompt regarding whether rural-to-urban migration is a positive or negative development. Instead of discussing population shift in the countryside, urbanization, or its socioeconomic consequences, the essay relies entirely on a generic, memorized template. Phrases like 'advocates of popullation in rural area advance the contention' are nonsensical and demonstrate a complete failure to engage with the specific topic. The writer attempts to cover multiple viewpoints, but because the content is entirely devoid of relevant ideas, examples, or a genuine position, it cannot be considered an adequate response to the task. Consequently, the score reflects a fundamental failure to address the prompt requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

The essay is divided into standard paragraphs with a formal introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Transitional markers such as 'At the outset,' 'Conversely,' and 'In conclusion' are used mechanically to simulate a well-structured essay. However, because the underlying sentences are repetitive and lack meaningful content about the topic, true logical progression is absent. Referencing pronouns like 'its' and 'this perspective' refer back to an empty, repetitive phrase ('popullation in rural area') rather than actual ideas or arguments. Paragraphing is visually present, but the overall organizational framework serves to mask a total absence of substantive content, resulting in a low score for coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.0

The vocabulary is extremely repetitive, with the phrase 'popullation in rural area' appearing multiple times across the essay, accompanied by spelling errors such as 'popullation'. The writer attempts to use elevated academic vocabulary—such as 'engendered considerable controversy,' 'predicated upon,' and 'indispensable'—but these terms are misapplied in a rigid, formulaic template that lacks context. There is a very narrow range of meaningful vocabulary actually deployed to discuss the specific topic, and many word choices are awkward or inaccurate due to the templated nature of the response. This severely limits the lexical score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The grammatical structures used in the essay are relatively complex in appearance, featuring subordinate clauses, passive voice, and introductory adverbial phrases. However, these are part of a memorized template rather than flexible, spontaneous language production. While basic sentence structures are grammatically controlled, the heavy reliance on pre-fabricated chunks creates an artificial style. There are issues with subject-verb agreement and collocation within the forced phrases (e.g., 'popullation in rural area has engendered'). The range of grammar is restricted in practice because the same syntactic patterns are recycled repeatedly to fill space without conveying real meaning.

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