Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-20
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 5.5)
It is true that due to incline in the population in reccent years, It is required to build more residential space for families. In order to build that homes we need contruction space which is not possible in conjested cities, so we have to use the land in the countryside. I believe that we have planned well and use the land space accordingly.
One perspective is that we have large land sitting outsides of cities, which will help to build all the required homes. For example, there are many cities around the world expanding its boundries to construct new homes, these homes are designed to use the space smartly. Which takes less area as compared to the old construction style homes, which helps to save the countryside field.
Other perspective is that if we construct heavely on the countryside field there will be not space left for nature. Ii will be more like concrete jungle which have no nature's beauty. For example, china constructs homes which can accomodate more people using less area but people who lives there have no quality of living. There is no proper ventilation and safety protocols followed during contructions which will have life threatning consequences.
In conclusion, we can say that we have to use our countryside land smartly. We have to built a fool proof plan to construct advanced home which will not damage the nature, have less carbonfoot print and use the solar power to energy. The material that we used in these homes can be recycle woods and biodegradable materials.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses the prompt by discussing the need for housing versus the protection of the countryside. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you present two perspectives, the arguments lack depth and specific, well-explained examples. For instance, the mention of China is a relevant idea, but it is not fully connected to the core debate about land usage in a way that supports your position effectively. The conclusion introduces new ideas, such as solar power and recycled materials, which were not previously discussed, making the argument feel slightly disjointed. To improve, ensure your main points are fully explored with clear reasoning and consistent examples throughout the body paragraphs.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organised into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate. Phrases like 'One perspective is that' and 'Other perspective is that' are repetitive. Additionally, there are issues with referencing and logical flow; for example, the transition between the benefits of smart construction and the drawbacks of high-density housing in the second and third paragraphs is abrupt. To improve, work on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph transitions smoothly into the next to create a more cohesive argument.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but there are frequent errors in word choice and spelling that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'incline' instead of 'increase', 'reccent' (spelling), 'conjested' (spelling), 'boundries' (spelling), and 'heavely' (spelling). You also use some informal phrasing, such as 'large land sitting outsides'. While you attempt to use topic-specific vocabulary like 'carbon footprint' and 'biodegradable', the overall range is limited. Focusing on accurate spelling and learning common collocations related to urban planning and environmental issues will help you achieve a higher score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay relies heavily on simple sentence structures, and there are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text. Common issues include subject-verb agreement ('people who lives there'), article usage ('the countryside field'), and incorrect verb forms ('we have to built'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of commas and capital letters in the middle of sentences. While the meaning is generally clear, the high frequency of errors in basic grammar prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. You should focus on mastering basic sentence construction and proofreading for common errors like tense consistency and pluralisation.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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