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)

The debate over whether to build new homes in the countryside is a complex issue that involves balancing the need for housing with the desire to protect natural landscapes. As populations grow and urban areas become increasingly crowded, the question arises: should development be allowed to expand into rural areas, or should the countryside be preserved at all costs? This essay will explore both sides of the argument before presenting a reasoned conclusion.

In my opinion, while it is important to protect the countryside, building new homes in these areas can be necessary to meet the growing demand for housing. The countryside offers a peaceful environment and natural beauty, which many people value and want to preserve. However, with increasing populations and urbanization, cities often become overcrowded, and there is not enough space to build new homes within city limits. Therefore, expanding into the countryside becomes a practical and sometimes essential solution.

One way to balance these needs is to carefully plan new developments so they cause minimal harm to the environment. For example, new homes can be constructed in areas that are less ecologically sensitive, and green spaces can be preserved within new neighborhoods to maintain biodiversity. Additionally, developers can adopt eco-friendly building methods and use sustainable materials to reduce the environmental impact. This approach allows for growth without completely sacrificing the countryside’s beauty and wildlife.

Furthermore, building homes in rural areas can bring significant economic benefits. It can create jobs and improve infrastructure in these communities, helping them to grow and thrive. This development can also reduce the pressure on overcrowded cities and improve the overall quality of life for people living in both urban and rural areas.

In conclusion, while protecting the countryside is important, it is also necessary to build new homes to accommodate growing populations. With careful planning and sustainable building practices, it is possible to develop the countryside in a way that respects the environment while meeting housing needs.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the task and maintains a clear position throughout. You have successfully balanced the need for housing with the importance of environmental preservation. The ideas are relevant and well-developed, particularly in the third paragraph where you suggest specific strategies like eco-friendly building methods. To reach a higher band, you could provide a more concrete example of a real-world location or a specific type of housing project to further illustrate your points, rather than relying on general statements. Overall, the argument is logical, consistent, and directly answers the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is smooth. You use a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Additionally', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the relationship between ideas is clear. To improve, ensure that the transition between the environmental concerns and the economic benefits is slightly more nuanced to avoid a list-like feel between paragraphs.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'ecologically sensitive', 'maintain biodiversity', and 'accommodate growing populations' are used accurately and appropriately. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it lacks a degree of sophistication or 'less common' lexical items that would elevate the response to a higher band. The word choice is consistently natural, and there are no errors that impede communication. To improve, try incorporating more idiomatic or academic collocations related to urban planning and environmental policy.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use subordinate clauses effectively, such as 'while it is important to protect the countryside, building new homes... can be necessary'. The grammar is generally accurate, and there are no significant errors that cause confusion. Most sentences are error-free, showing good control over punctuation and tense usage. To achieve a higher band, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex structures, such as inversion or more sophisticated conditional sentences, to demonstrate greater flexibility.

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

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