Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

It is true that many regions need more housing because of the growing population. While some people believe that building homes in country side is necessary, I believe that protecting environment in the country side is more vital than building a new homes. In this essay, I shall discuss the both topic with relevant reasons and real world examples before presenting my view.

To begin with, one of the prominent reasons for protecting the country side is that it helps a vital role in maintaining the environment. That is to say, forest, farms and green spaces provide clean air, support wildlife and help reduce pollution. Moreover, once these natural areas are covered with buildings, it is almost impossible to restore them to their original conditions. For example, a recent report by the university of Oxford shows that many famous cities such as Tokyo and Mumbai have lost large open areas of farmland because of rapid growth of urban development, which has reduced local food production and damaged ecosystems. In addition, preserving the countryside allows future generations to enjoy nature and maintain a healthy environment.

On the other hand, many people believe that more homes are required because of population growth, it is also understandable. Furthermore, a lack of housing can lead to higher property prices and overcrowded cities. As a consequence, some people argue that building houses in the countryside is the only practical solution. Besides that, new residential areas can create employment opportunities and improve local infrastructure. For instance, roads, schools, hospitals and shopping centers are often developed along side housing projects and improving the quality of life for residents.

In conclusion, although constructing homes in the countryside may help solve housing shortage, I believe that protecting nature is more important that building a new homes. Governments should adopt better urban planning and make better use of available land within cities instead of countryside land.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position in the introduction and maintaining it throughout. The ideas are relevant and supported by examples, such as the mention of Tokyo and Mumbai. However, the development is slightly uneven; while the environmental argument is well-supported, the counter-argument regarding housing needs could be more deeply explored to reach a higher band. The conclusion effectively summarizes the main points and provides a clear recommendation for urban planning. Overall, the response is well-focused and fulfills the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Moreover', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. While the referencing is generally clear, there are minor instances where the flow could be improved with more varied linking phrases. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the structure supports the overall argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate and appropriate for the task. The student uses topic-specific terms like 'urban development', 'ecosystems', 'residential areas', and 'infrastructure'. There are some minor errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'building a new homes' (should be 'building new homes') and 'along side' (should be 'alongside'). While the range is sufficient to convey meaning clearly, it lacks the more sophisticated, less common lexical items that would characterize a higher band score. However, the vocabulary used is precise enough to avoid confusion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is a good attempt at using complex sentences, such as 'While some people believe that building homes in country side is necessary, I believe that...'. However, there are recurring grammatical errors, particularly with articles ('the country side', 'a new homes') and prepositions. Some sentences are slightly awkward, such as 'it helps a vital role' (should be 'plays a vital role'). Despite these errors, the meaning is always clear, and the punctuation is generally accurate. The grammatical control is sufficient for a 6.0 band.

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