Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-07-30

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In many places, new homes are needed, but the only space available for building them is in the countryside. Some people believe it is more important to protect the countryside and not build new homes there.

What is your opinion about this?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

 

Student answer (Band 8.5)

In many parts of the world, rapid population growth and urban expansion have created an increasing demand for housing. While some argue that building new homes in the countryside is necessary due to limited space in cities, I believe that protecting rural areas should be the priority. Instead of expanding into the countryside, governments should make better use of existing urban land and improve city planning.

One of the main reasons for preserving the countryside is its environmental importance. Rural areas provide habitats for wildlife, support biodiversity, and help maintain clean air and water. Replacing farmland and forests with residential developments can lead to habitat destruction, increased pollution, and the loss of valuable agricultural land. For example, in many countries, urban sprawl has significantly reduced green spaces, making cities more vulnerable to flooding and rising temperatures.

Furthermore, there are alternative ways to meet housing demand without sacrificing the countryside. Governments can encourage the construction of high-rise apartment buildings, redevelop abandoned industrial sites, and renovate unused properties in urban areas. These solutions allow more people to be accommodated while making efficient use of existing infrastructure such as roads, schools, and public transport. As a result, they are often more cost-effective than building entirely new communities in rural locations.

However, it is understandable that some people support building homes in the countryside, especially in regions where cities are already overcrowded. New housing developments may reduce pressure on urban areas and provide families with larger, more affordable homes. Nevertheless, such expansion should only occur in exceptional cases and be carefully planned to minimize environmental damage.

In conclusion, although the growing demand for housing is a serious issue, I believe that protecting the countryside is more important than constructing new homes there. By improving urban planning and making better use of available city land, governments can address housing shortages while preserving the natural environment for future generations.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it consistently throughout the essay. Each paragraph provides relevant, well-developed arguments, such as the environmental impact of urban sprawl and the practical alternatives like high-rise development. The ideas are extended with logical reasoning and relevant examples, such as the mention of flooding and temperature rises. The conclusion effectively summarizes your stance, ensuring the response is balanced and focused on the prompt. You have successfully met the requirements of the task by providing a clear opinion supported by coherent arguments.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, starting with the environmental argument, followed by practical alternatives, and finally acknowledging the opposing view. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'Instead of', and 'As a result' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is smooth throughout the text. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, and the referencing is clear, making the essay easy to follow from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task. Phrases like 'urban expansion', 'habitat destruction', 'agricultural land', and 'efficient use of existing infrastructure' show a strong command of topic-specific language. The vocabulary is used naturally and with precision. While the range is sufficient and effective, it could be pushed further toward a more sophisticated level to reach the highest band, but for this response, the lexical control is excellent and supports the clarity of your arguments without any noticeable errors in word choice or collocation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'While some argue that...', 'By improving urban planning...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is highly consistent. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The variety of structures used, such as the use of gerunds and conditional-like structures, demonstrates a high level of proficiency. The writing is accurate, fluent, and demonstrates a strong grasp of English grammar.

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