Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-11

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 7.5)

In many countries, the demand for new housing is increasing, while the availability of land in urban areas is limited. Although, building homes at the countryside is the practical solution, I believe that protecting rural areas should be a priority, and new housing should be build in existing towns and cities wherever possible.

On one hand, It will impact the rural community and the environment. Rural communities often contains forests, agricultural land and natural habitats that support a wide range of plants and wildlife. Constructing large residential developments can destroy these ecosystems and permanently alter the character of the landscape. In addition, urban expansion usually requires new roads, water systems and electricity networks, which can further increase pressure on the environment. For example, replacing farmland with housing estates may reduce the amount of land available for local food production while also increasing traffic and pollution.

However, it would be unrealistic to argue that no homes should ever be built outside existing urban areas. In rapidly growing cities, a shortage of affordable housing can force families to live in overcrowded or unsuitable accommodation. Carefully planned developments on the outskirts of cities can therefore help meet housing demand and reduce property prices. Nevertheless, such construction should take place only after less environmentally damaging alternatives have been considered. Governments could, for instance, encourage the redevelopment of unused industrial sites, convert vacant commercial buildings into apartments and increase the number of homes in already developed areas.

In my view, the need for housing should not automatically justify the destruction of the countryside. Governments should adopt a long-term approach in which urban land is used more efficiently before rural areas are considered for development. Where construction in rural locations is unavoidable, it should be strictly controlled and designed to minimise environmental damage.

In conclusion, although additional housing is essential in areas experiencing population growth, protecting the countryside is also important for environmental and social reasons. Therefore, I believe that governments should prioritise urban redevelopment and higher-density housing, using rural land only when there are no suitable alternatives.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

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, providing a balanced view by acknowledging the necessity of housing while firmly advocating for urban redevelopment over rural expansion. The ideas are supported by relevant examples, such as the mention of industrial site redevelopment and the environmental impact of infrastructure. The conclusion effectively summarises your stance, ensuring the reader understands your position without ambiguity. The response is well-structured and demonstrates a clear understanding of the prompt's 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 the arguments is smooth. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On one hand', 'However', 'Nevertheless', and 'In conclusion', which help guide the reader through your reasoning. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of your argument. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural, making the text easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the task. You use precise terms such as 'ecosystems', 'residential developments', 'urban expansion', and 'long-term approach'. The language is natural and conveys your meaning accurately. While there are no major errors in word choice, the range could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band. For instance, instead of 'practical solution', you could use 'pragmatic approach'. Overall, your lexical control is strong and supports the clarity of your arguments throughout the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses and relative clauses, with good control. However, there are a few minor grammatical slips. For example, you wrote 'at the countryside' instead of 'in the countryside' and 'should be build' instead of 'should be built'. Additionally, 'Rural communities often contains' should be 'contain' to agree with the plural subject. Despite these occasional errors, the majority of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is generally accurate. These minor slips do not impede communication or affect the overall readability of your work.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.