Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-29

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 8.0)

In many parts of the world, the steady migration of rural populations to urban centres has become an increasingly prominent demographic trend. Although cities can offer greater employment prospects and access to essential services, I believe that the continued depopulation of rural areas is, on balance, a negative development because it places considerable pressure on cities while undermining the economic and social vitality of the countryside.

The most immediate concern is that rapid urbanisation can place an excessive burden on already overcrowded cities. When large numbers of people relocate in search of employment and better living standards, urban infrastructure may struggle to keep pace with population growth. Consequently, housing shortages, traffic congestion, unemployment and pressure on healthcare and educational facilities can become more acute. For instance, in several rapidly developing countries, the influx of rural workers has contributed to the expansion of informal settlements on the outskirts of major cities, where residents may have limited access to sanitation and other basic amenities. Thus, migration does not necessarily guarantee an improved quality of life.

Equally concerning is the gradual erosion of rural economies and communities. As younger and more economically active residents leave, agricultural production may decline, local businesses may become unviable, and traditional communities can gradually disappear. This can also create an imbalance in national development, particularly when a country becomes excessively dependent on a small number of metropolitan areas. In contrast, investment in rural infrastructure, education and employment could encourage people to remain in their communities while simultaneously strengthening food production and regional economies. For example, developing agricultural technology and rural-based industries could create skilled employment without requiring workers to relocate permanently.

In conclusion, while urban migration can provide individuals with access to better employment and public services, the large-scale movement of rural populations is predominantly detrimental. It can intensify pressure on urban infrastructure and, at the same time, weaken rural economies and communities. Therefore, governments should pursue more balanced regional development so that people have viable opportunities to prosper in both urban and rural areas.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by taking a clear, well-supported position that rural-to-urban migration is a negative development. The writer expertly balances two distinct aspects of the prompt: the pressure placed on cities (e.g., housing shortages, traffic congestion, and informal settlements) and the corresponding negative impacts on the countryside (e.g., agricultural decline and the erosion of rural communities). Ideas are thoroughly extended with relevant explanations and illustrative examples, such as the mention of informal settlements on city outskirts. The position is maintained consistently from the introductory paragraph through to the conclusion, meeting all requirements for a high band under this criterion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear, logical progression of ideas from start to finish. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with urban pressures in the second paragraph, followed by rural economic decline in the third. Cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively without being obtrusive, as seen with transition markers like 'Consequently', 'For instance', 'Equally concerning', and 'In contrast'. Paragraphing is used skillfully and appropriately to separate major ideas. The introduction and conclusion frame the essay logically, ensuring smooth overall cohesion and referencing throughout the text.

Lexical Resource: Band 8.0

The writer employs a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic essay. Less common lexical items are used with a strong awareness of style and collocation, such as 'demographic trend', 'depopulation', 'urbanisation', 'informal settlements', and 'regional development'. Word choices are precise, and collocations sound natural throughout the text (e.g., 'excessive burden', 'economic vitality', 'unviable'). There are virtually no spelling or word-choice errors, enabling the reader to navigate complex ideas effortlessly and demonstrating a high degree of lexical control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of complex structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, featuring sophisticated subordinate clauses, conditional elements, and participial phrases (e.g., 'Although cities can offer greater employment prospects...', 'When large numbers of people relocate in search of employment... urban infrastructure may struggle...'). Control of grammar, punctuation, and tense consistency is exceptional. Even when utilizing complex syntactic structures, the writer maintains faultless precision, satisfying the upper-tier descriptors for grammatical range and accuracy.

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