Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-09

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)

In this contemporary society, the need for accommodation has increased substantially over the years. People often debate about building the new homes in the countryside. However, some people believe that new buildings should not be built in the countryside because it will impact the nature in the rural areas. I agree with the statement that we should protect the countryside from development. In this essay, I will discuss the potential impacts of building homes in rural areas.

Firstly, preventing construction of homes in the countryside is crucial for agriculture. This is attributed to the fact that land in the rural areas is used to cultivate and produce crops such as wheat, rice, etc. Moreover, rural areas are the key producers of fruits, vegetables and grains which are supplied to the cities and superstores for the urban population to consume. Therefore, if fields are replaced with concrete jungles, it will lead to food shortage. For instance, development of the countryside with new homes will reduce the land for agriculture impacting the overall harvest of crops which in long term can impact the food supply. Hence, it will impact the cost and availability of food in the stores leading to increased prices. So, homes should not be built in countryside.

Secondly, building of new homes in the countryside will impact the environment and wildlife. This is because the construction of homes will increase the number of cars and pollution in the area. Hence, it can cause air and light pollution and reduce the space for wildlife to thrive. For example, pollution of different types can impact the local ecosystem causing nocturnal animal death and reduction in number. Many animals such as deer, raccoons, owls etc. will be displaced from their ecosystem leading to degradation of environment.

In my opinion, to curb the need for new homes developers should construct multi-story buildings rather than exploiting the land in rural areas. Moreover, government should invest in city plans for development of homes and flats in urban areas to reduce the area of civilisation.

In conclusion, the countryside should not be included in development because they are the producer of food. Using the agricultural land for homes will impact the harvest of crops leading to increase in prices. So, government should construct high rise buildings to maximise the space for accommodation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have clearly addressed the prompt by taking a firm position in favor of protecting the countryside. Your ideas are relevant and logically developed, particularly in the paragraphs regarding agriculture and environmental impact. You provide specific examples, such as the mention of crops like wheat and rice, and the displacement of wildlife, which supports your argument well. To reach a higher band, ensure that your conclusion does not merely repeat the points made but synthesizes them to reinforce your overall stance. Additionally, while your position is clear, adding a brief acknowledgment of the counter-argument (the need for housing) before refuting it would demonstrate a more sophisticated level of task response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Moreover', 'Therefore', and 'In conclusion' to guide the reader through your argument. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical or repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'This is because' and 'Hence'. To improve, try to vary your linking phrases and ensure that the flow between sentences is more natural. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central idea, which helps maintain the overall coherence of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'contemporary society', 'cultivate', 'ecosystem', and 'degradation'. There are some minor issues with collocation and word choice, such as 'reduce the area of civilisation' or 'impact the nature', which sound slightly unnatural. While you successfully convey your meaning, the range of vocabulary is somewhat limited to common terms. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more precise academic collocations and less common lexical items to express your ideas with greater nuance and sophistication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures throughout the essay. Most of your sentences are clear and easy to follow, and your grammar is generally accurate. However, there are some minor errors, such as missing articles ('impact the nature' should be 'impact nature') and occasional issues with pluralization or subject-verb agreement. Your control of punctuation is generally good, though some sentences could be refined for better flow. To improve, focus on reducing these small, persistent errors and attempt to use a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences or passive voice, to demonstrate greater control.

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

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