Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-18

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)

It is often debated that to reduce the demand for new homes, space available in the countryside should be occupied. However, some people think it will have a negative effect on the habitat and rural areas should be conserved instead of constructing new houses.In my opinion, I believe it will be beneficial for people and the government to look for space somewhere else to build new homes.

To commence with, there are a number of reasons why new homes should not be constructed in rural areas. The prominent one is that the agricultural land provides employment and food to residents of the country. Most of the farmers work on the fields which create a number of jobs. Moreover, the vegetation that is grown on the field is later on distributed to all over the nation. Therefore, if the authorities destroy the vegetation, then they will have to import the same crops and essential food items from other countries by paying custom prices. As a result, this can be avoided, if the land available in the countryside is not being used to convert it into a concrete jungle.

Additionally, to create space to build new houses will require cutting down the forest land and crops which will affect the natural habitat and wildlife in various ways. Countryside areas often contain forests, grasslands and wetlands where animals and birds live. When these areas are converted into residential neighbourhoods, animals lose their habitats and may be forced to move to urban areas. This can disturb the ecological balance and reduce biodiversity.For example, if a forest is cleared to construct a housing development, species such as birds, deer and small mammals may lose their nesting and feeding areas.

In conclusion, although constructing new homes is essential to accommodate the growing population, rural areas should be protected because they are important for agriculture and wildlife. Instead, governments should consider alternatives such as developing unused urban land and constructing high-rise housing to meet the increasing demand for accommodation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the task and maintains a clear position throughout. You have provided relevant arguments regarding the importance of agricultural land and the preservation of natural habitats. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the point about the economic impact of losing farmland and the ecological consequences of urban sprawl. To reach a higher band, ensure that your introduction clearly paraphrases the prompt rather than repeating it, and consider providing a more nuanced exploration of the counter-argument before dismissing it, which would demonstrate a more sophisticated level of task engagement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use cohesive devices such as 'To commence with', 'Moreover', and 'Additionally' to link your points effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions could be more varied to avoid a slightly mechanical feel. Overall, the structure is clear and supports the development of your argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'concrete jungle', 'ecological balance', and 'biodiversity' are used correctly and appropriately. There are occasional minor inaccuracies, such as 'paying custom prices' (which should be 'import duties' or 'higher costs') and 'distributed to all over the nation' (which is slightly awkward phrasing). However, these do not impede communication. To improve, focus on more precise collocations and avoid repetitive phrasing when discussing common concepts.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, and your control of grammar is generally good. Most sentences are error-free, and your meaning is always clear. There are some minor slips, such as 'It is often debated that to reduce the demand... space... should be occupied' (which is slightly illogical) and 'the vegetation that is grown on the field is later on distributed to all over the nation' (the 'to' is unnecessary). Despite these occasional errors, your command of complex structures is sufficient to convey your ideas effectively.

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

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