Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-03

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)

Many people believe that the countryside is the only space available for building more homes, whereas others argue that it should be protected and that new houses should not be constructed there. I completely support the latter view, and this essay will explain the reasons for my opinion.

To begin with, the countryside provides homes and livelihoods for many farmers. They live and work there, producing grains and other essential agricultural resources for the population. Destroying agricultural land could cause significant damage to a country's economy. As a result, countries may become increasingly dependent on foreign nations and have to import essential products that could otherwise be grown domestically. Instead of constructing new homes in rural areas, governments should explore alternative solutions, such as expanding existing buildings. For example, old one- or two-storey buildings could be renovated and converted into multi-storey properties, which could accommodate more residents without consuming valuable agricultural land.

Similarly, environmental degradation is another important concern. In many rural areas, the construction of new houses and other buildings can significantly affect the surrounding environment and lead to the loss of natural habitats. To accommodate new developments, large areas of land may need to be cleared, including forests and vegetation, which can contribute to soil degradation and the destruction of ecosystems. For instance, the rapid expansion of residential developments in rural regions has resulted in the loss of agricultural land and natural habitats in many areas. Moreover, constructing houses in the countryside can negatively affect not only human health but also wildlife by reducing their natural habitats.

In conclusion, although there is a growing need for new housing, destroying agricultural land and harming the environment are not appropriate solutions. Instead, expanding existing buildings and exploring alternative housing options would be a more sustainable and balanced approach to meeting the increasing demand for homes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses the prompt by clearly stating a position in the introduction and maintaining it throughout the essay. Each paragraph provides relevant, well-developed arguments. The first body paragraph focuses on the economic impact of losing agricultural land, while the second addresses environmental concerns. The ideas are extended with logical explanations and examples, such as the suggestion to renovate existing buildings rather than clearing new land. The conclusion effectively summarises the main points and reinforces the writer's stance. The response is balanced and demonstrates a clear understanding of the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'As a result', 'Similarly', and 'Moreover' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two distinct body paragraphs, and a concise conclusion. The referencing is clear throughout, and the flow of the argument is easy to follow, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The writer uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'agricultural resources', 'environmental degradation', 'natural habitats', and 'sustainable'. While the range is adequate, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated or less common collocations to reach the highest band. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. The language used is precise and fits the formal tone required for an IELTS essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay demonstrates a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses and relative clauses (e.g., '...essential products that could otherwise be grown domestically'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no major grammatical slips that cause confusion. The writer shows a good command of tense usage and modal verbs, which contributes to the overall clarity and professional tone of the writing.

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