Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-27

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 7.5)

In many parts of the world, people are increasingly leaving rural areas and moving to cities, resulting in a decline in the countryside population. **I believe this is largely a negative development**, although urban migration can provide individuals with better employment and educational opportunities.

One major advantage of rural-to-urban migration is that cities generally offer **more employment opportunities and higher salaries**. Rural areas may depend heavily on agriculture, which can provide unstable incomes because of weather conditions and changing market prices. In contrast, cities often have a wider range of jobs in industries such as technology, healthcare, education and finance. In addition, urban areas usually have better access to universities, hospitals and other public services. Therefore, young people may move to cities to improve their career prospects and quality of life.

However, the large-scale movement of rural residents can have **serious consequences for both villages and cities**. When young and working-age people leave the countryside, villages may lose an important part of their workforce. This can reduce agricultural production and contribute to the decline of local businesses and traditional communities. Over time, some rural areas may become increasingly underdeveloped because there are fewer people available to support schools, shops and other services.

At the same time, rapid urbanisation can put considerable pressure on cities. A sudden increase in population may lead to **traffic congestion, overcrowded housing, pollution and pressure on healthcare and public transport**. For example, when a large number of people move to a major city in search of work, affordable housing may become difficult to find, forcing some families to live in poorly developed areas.

In conclusion, although moving to cities can provide people with better jobs, education and services, **the continuous decline of rural populations is generally a negative development**. Governments should therefore invest in rural infrastructure, employment and education so that people can have good opportunities without being forced to leave their communities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by presenting a clear position throughout and discussing both sides of the issue before concluding that rural depopulation is a negative development. The student presents well-developed ideas, such as exploring the economic and social consequences for villages as well as the pressure rapid urbanisation places on cities. Relevant examples and solid justifications are provided throughout the essay. The argument is consistent, and all prompt requirements are thoroughly satisfied, matching the criteria for a strong Band 7.5 or Band 8 performance.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The essay demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, beginning with a clear introduction, moving through the advantages of migration and its consequences for villages and cities, and ending with a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'In addition', 'However', and 'At the same time' are used flexibly and appropriately to guide the reader. Paragraphing is managed skilfully and logically, satisfying the requirements for a Band 8 score.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The writer uses a sufficient and precise range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic essay, such as 'rural-to-urban migration', 'agricultural production', 'rapid urbanisation', and 'traffic congestion'. Less common lexical items are used with an awareness of style and collocation, and spelling and word choice are accurate throughout. While the range is competent and meets the requirements for Band 7, it falls slightly short of the consistently wide, flexible and sophisticated control required for Band 8.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The student displays a good variety of complex structures and compound sentences, such as 'When young and working-age people leave the countryside, villages may lose an important part of their workforce' and 'Governments should therefore invest in rural infrastructure... so that people can have good opportunities...'. The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is well controlled. Grammar does not impede communication at any point, reflecting a strong command of grammatical accuracy and range equivalent to a Band 8.

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