Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-08

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 6.5)

Nowadays, many cities are facing a shortage of homes, so some people think that new houses should be built in the countryside. However, others believe that rural areas should be protected. In my opinion, the countryside should be protected as much as possible, but some areas can be used for housing if there is no other suitable option.

The countryside is important because it provides farmland, green spaces and a natural environment for animals. If too many houses are built there, forests and agricultural land may disappear. It can also cause more traffic and pollution. For example, large housing projects in rural areas can change the natural environment and affect local wildlife.

On the other hand, people need affordable and comfortable places to live. In some cities, there is not enough available land, and house prices are becoming very expensive. Therefore, using some countryside land may be necessary. Governments should choose areas carefully and avoid building on important farmland or wildlife habitats. They should also make sure that new communities have schools, roads and public transportation.

In conclusion, I believe that protecting the countryside is important, but housing needs should also be considered. The best solution is to use empty spaces in cities first and develop only suitable countryside areas when it is absolutely necessary.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses the prompt by discussing both the need for housing and the importance of protecting the countryside. However, the essay is significantly under the 250-word minimum requirement, which limits the depth of the argument. While the position is clear, the ideas are somewhat underdeveloped. For instance, the suggestion to use 'empty spaces in cities' is mentioned in the conclusion but not explored in the body paragraphs. To reach a higher band, you need to expand your supporting points with more detailed examples or explanations to meet the length requirement and provide a more comprehensive analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two sides of the argument. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'On the other hand', and 'Therefore' are used correctly to guide the reader through the text. The progression of ideas is easy to follow, although the brevity of the response makes the overall structure feel slightly thin. The use of referencing is generally clear, and the flow between sentences is smooth.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication of ideas. You use some topic-specific vocabulary such as 'agricultural land', 'wildlife habitats', and 'public transportation'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on fairly common words. To improve, try to incorporate more precise or academic collocations to express your ideas with greater sophistication. For example, instead of 'large housing projects', you could use 'large-scale residential developments'. The spelling is accurate throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good level of grammatical accuracy. You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as conditional sentences ('If too many houses are built...') and compound sentences. There are very few grammatical errors, and the punctuation is generally correct. While the range of structures is sufficient, it is not particularly wide. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to incorporate a greater variety of complex grammatical structures, such as passive voice or more varied subordinate clauses, while maintaining the current level of accuracy.

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

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