Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · 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 8.5)

As populations continue to grow, the demand for housing has increased significantly. In many regions, the only available land for new residential developments is in the countryside. While some people argue that protecting rural areas should be the top priority, I believe that limited construction in the countryside is acceptable, provided that it is carefully planned and environmentally responsible.

On the one hand, preserving the countryside is extremely important because it provides natural habitats for wildlife, supports agriculture, and contributes to a healthier environment. Replacing farmland and forests with housing estates can lead to the loss of biodiversity, increased pollution, and reduced food production. Furthermore, many people visit rural areas to enjoy fresh air and beautiful landscapes, making them valuable for recreation and tourism. If large areas of countryside were destroyed, future generations would lose these important natural resources.

On the other hand, the growing population has created an urgent need for affordable housing. In many cities, there is little vacant land left for development, and property prices continue to rise. If governments refuse to expand residential areas, many families may struggle to find suitable accommodation. Therefore, building new homes in selected parts of the countryside may be necessary, especially when the environmental impact is kept to a minimum. For example, developers can preserve green spaces, plant new trees, and use environmentally friendly building materials to reduce the negative effects of construction.

In my opinion, neither unrestricted development nor complete protection is the best solution. Instead, governments should adopt a balanced approach by encouraging the redevelopment of unused urban land while permitting carefully controlled construction in rural areas only when no reasonable alternatives exist. This would help meet housing demands without causing unnecessary environmental damage.

In conclusion, although the countryside should be protected because of its environmental and social importance, I believe that limited and well-managed housing developments can be justified. Careful planning is essential to ensure that both the needs of people and the protection of nature are successfully balanced.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it consistently throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, with a balanced discussion of both the environmental concerns and the practical necessity for housing. Each paragraph provides relevant supporting details, such as the mention of biodiversity loss versus the need for affordable accommodation. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position, demonstrating a clear understanding of the complexity of the issue. The response is well-structured and directly answers the prompt with logical reasoning and relevant examples.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the opposing viewpoints is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. The use of linking words like 'Furthermore', 'Therefore', and 'In conclusion' helps guide the reader through your argument effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas, and referencing is clear throughout the text. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between sentences is consistently logical, making the essay very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the task. You use topic-specific terms such as 'residential developments', 'biodiversity', 'vacant land', and 'environmentally responsible' with precision. The language is natural and conveys your meaning clearly. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, there is room to incorporate more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations to reach the highest band. However, the current range is sufficient to express complex ideas fluently and accurately, with no errors that impede communication or cause confusion for the reader.

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 people argue that...', 'If governments refuse to expand...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is excellent. There are no significant grammatical slips that distract the reader. You have successfully used a variety of sentence forms to maintain interest and clarity. The accuracy is high, reflecting a strong command of English grammar suitable for this level of writing.

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