Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

It is argued that countryside is the only place left to build new homes while few people think that securing the countryside area is more important. I agree with the statement.

To begin with, increase in residents will obviously increase the demand for accommodation and the population has a direct effect on environment. Building more homes will consume more natural resources like wood, water, soil. For instance, If fertile agricultural land is replaced with residential buildings, food production will decline and the country may become more dependent on imported food. This could increase food prices and threaten food security in the long run.

Moreover, it also help in maintaining biodiversity and wildlife cycle. There are many species of animals that live in country side area and we can not just destroy one home for another. Also, using the rural area for agriculture will help in generation more oxygen and provide quality air. For example, many forests around the world have been cleared to build new housing developments, forcing animals to leave their natural habitats. As a result, several species have become endangered, and the balance of the ecosystem has been disturbed. Protecting these areas not only preserves wildlife but also helps reduce air pollution and combat climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide.

In conclusion, although there is an increasing need for new housing, I believe protecting the countryside should remain the priority. The countryside plays a vital role in food production, environmental conservation, and maintaining biodiversity. Therefore, governments should seek alternative solutions within cities rather than sacrificing natural land for residential development.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses the prompt clearly and maintains a consistent position throughout. You have identified the core conflict between housing needs and environmental preservation. The ideas are relevant and supported with examples, such as the impact on food security and biodiversity. To reach a higher band, ensure that you fully develop the 'alternative solutions' mentioned in the conclusion. While the arguments are logical, they could be extended further by explaining how urban densification or brownfield development could realistically replace the need for countryside expansion. Overall, the task is well-addressed with a clear, focused argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Moreover', and 'As a result' effectively to link sentences and ideas. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the referencing could be more sophisticated. For instance, the link between the second and third paragraphs could be smoother to better integrate the environmental arguments. Overall, the structure is coherent and supports the development of your argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your ideas with precision. Phrases like 'fertile agricultural land', 'food security', 'biodiversity', and 'natural habitats' are used appropriately. There are occasional minor inaccuracies, such as 'generation more oxygen' (should be 'generating') and 'country side area' (should be 'countryside'). While you use some less common items, the range is not yet wide enough to consistently demonstrate the flexibility required for a higher band. Focusing on more precise collocations and avoiding minor word-form errors will help improve your score in this area.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You show good control over basic grammar, and your meaning is always clear. There are some persistent errors, such as 'increase in residents will obviously increase' (missing article 'an'), 'it also help' (subject-verb agreement error), and 'we can not just destroy one home for another' (slightly awkward phrasing). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles, and try to incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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