Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-16

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 5.5)

It is argued that a notable amount of people has been moving to cities, therefore the population of the rural areas is declining. I believe it is a negative development because it makes cities over crowded and the agricultural industry is also at risk due to lack of farmers and man power in the countryside.

On the one hand, people are migrating from rural areas to cities in search of job opportuities and for the purpose of education of their childrens. however, Cities are already facing serious challenegs of lack of accomodation and traffic congestion. Job market is also tough in present times. The migration on large scale affecting the ecosystem and atmosphere of urban areas. Furthermore, cities are expensive as comapre to villages so they have to live hand to mouth. urban areas offer several facilities such as healthcare and educational institutions, moreover, they are more lively and happening but they are not very affordable.

On the other hand, countryside population is decreasing day by day and new buildings and comercial markets replaced the peaceful enviournment of villages. The agricultural industry is also at steak due to massive migration. If government take effective measures and allocate sufficient funds for the development of rural areas this issue can be resolved. If villagers get the same facilities like cities they will not leave their houses and areas. Government should pay more attention on countryside by establishing hospital school and to provide loans to farmers.

To conclude, the migration of people to city areas on alarge scale is an alarming situation for both public and the govenrmnet. By taking neccessary measures and providing basic facilitie authorties can resolved the issue.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

Your position is clear from the introduction: you consider rural-to-urban migration negative, particularly because cities become overcrowded and agriculture loses workers. You address both the effects on cities and the countryside, and suggest government investment in rural services as a response. These points are relevant, but some are less fully developed than others. For example, you mention pressure on accommodation, traffic and the urban environment without explaining a specific consequence or giving an example. The claim that new buildings and commercial markets replace villages’ peaceful environment also needs clearer support. Develop two or three main reasons with explanation or a concrete example, and connect your proposed measures more directly to retaining rural residents.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction, two body paragraphs signposted with “On the one hand” and “On the other hand,” and a conclusion. The main ideas are generally grouped by their effects on cities and rural areas. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes difficult to follow because several points are placed together without clear links. For instance, the first body paragraph moves from migration motives to congestion, the job market, environmental effects, costs and urban facilities. “Moreover” and “Furthermore” help signal additions, but some connections feel mechanical or do not show how the ideas relate. Organise each paragraph around a central point, then explain it before moving to the next, and use clearer referencing between claims.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “traffic congestion,” “agricultural industry,” “allocate sufficient funds” and “migration,” which helps communicate the main argument. However, the range is uneven, and noticeable spelling and word-choice errors sometimes distract the reader: “opportuities,” “challeng es,” “comapre,” “at steak” and “alarge” appear in the response. Some phrases are also unnatural or imprecise, such as “a notable amount of people,” “live hand to mouth” and “more lively and happening.” Aim for accurate collocations and check spelling carefully. More precise terms for rural employment, public services and pressure on urban infrastructure would make the argument clearer and more appropriate to an academic essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including conditional structures such as “If government take effective measures…” and a reason clause beginning “because.” The overall meaning is usually understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “a notable amount of people has been moving” has problems with quantifier and agreement, while “If government take” needs a correctly formed subject and verb. In “The migration on large scale affecting…,” the sentence lacks a finite verb, and “they will not leave their houses and areas” has an unclear reference. Capitalisation and punctuation are also inconsistent, particularly after full stops. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement, complete clauses and sentence boundaries while retaining your attempts at complex structures.

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