Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-07-31

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 8.0)

As the population continues to grow, the demand for housing has increased significantly. In many regions, the countryside is the only remaining land available for new residential developments. While some argue that these rural areas should be preserved at all costs, I believe that carefully planned housing projects can be built in the countryside, provided that environmental protection remains a top priority.

On the one hand, protecting the countryside is essential because it plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance. Forests, farmland, and natural habitats support wildlife, improve air quality, and help regulate the climate. If these areas are replaced by large housing developments, biodiversity may decline, agricultural production could be reduced, and pollution levels may rise. Furthermore, the countryside offers peaceful landscapes that contribute to people's physical and mental well-being. Once these natural environments are destroyed, they are often impossible to restore.

On the other hand, the growing shortage of housing cannot be ignored. Rapid urbanisation and population growth have caused property prices to rise dramatically, making it difficult for many families to afford suitable accommodation. In such circumstances, expanding into selected rural areas may become unavoidable. However, this development should be strictly regulated to avoid environmentally sensitive areas, preserve green belts, and ensure that new housing projects are sustainable and well-integrated into the existing landscape is disturbed as little as possible.

In conclusion, although preserving the countryside is extremely important for future generations,the increasing demand for housing cannot be overlooked.Therefore,I believe that carefully planned and environmentally responsible housing developments offer the most practical and sustainable solution.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response addresses all parts of the task and maintains a clear position throughout. You have provided a balanced view, acknowledging the importance of environmental protection while arguing for the necessity of housing development. The ideas are well-developed, particularly in the body paragraphs where you explain the ecological benefits of the countryside and the socioeconomic pressures of housing shortages. To reach a higher band, you could provide a more specific example, such as mentioning a particular type of sustainable development or a real-world scenario where urban sprawl has been managed effectively, to further support your argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Furthermore'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct arguments. The flow is generally natural, though the final sentence of the third paragraph is slightly clunky: '...ensure that new housing projects are sustainable and well-integrated into the existing landscape is disturbed as little as possible.' This minor structural issue slightly disrupts the flow, but overall, the coherence remains strong.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task. Phrases like 'ecological balance', 'biodiversity may decline', 'rapid urbanisation', and 'environmentally sensitive areas' show a good command of topic-specific language. There is a sufficient range to convey precise meanings. While the vocabulary is effective, it is generally standard; incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations would elevate the score further. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is generally good. However, there is a minor grammatical error in the third paragraph: '...ensure that new housing projects are sustainable and well-integrated into the existing landscape is disturbed as little as possible.' This sentence lacks a clear subject-verb connection, making it slightly confusing. Additionally, there are some minor punctuation spacing issues, such as 'generations,the' and 'Therefore,I'. Despite these small slips, the majority of your writing is accurate and demonstrates a solid grasp of complex grammar.

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