Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-23

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 areas of the world there is a pressing matter of a shortage of housing, and as the cities are already congested, the countryside provides adequate lands for new establishments. However, some people are against this notion as they opine that such areas should be protected from urbanisation to maintain their serenity and biodiversity. In my view, in order to address the shortage of housing, encroachment of the countryside is well justified.

It is undeniable that the countryside offers untouched lands which preserve wildlife and provide an abundance of natural resources. Many backwater communities are self-sufficient while engaging themselves in animal husbandry and farming, which promotes the biodiversity in the ecosystem. If such environments are encroached by large construction companies to create housing and infrastructure, the serenity of the countryside reserves will be gravely impacted.

Conversely, many city-dwellers are struggling with inadequate housing which deleteriously affects their quality of life. Since cities are already overcongested, rural areas provide the necessary land to tackle this problem. Consequently, many authorities are planning upcoming residential developments which extend to countryside areas. One instance to exemplify this is the extension of residential complexes in Gurugram, which was earlier a small village on the boundaries of Delhi, in order to accommodate the growing population.

In conclusion, although this practice might disturb fragile ecosystems, it is the need of the hour, as rapidly growing population has created an additional burden on already stretched housing conditions in many urban areas. Therefore, in my opinion establishments in the countryside are unavoidable in the future. Nevertheless, a pragmatic approach where proper planning allows small wildlife conservation areas along with residential complexes in the countryside will potentially address urgent housing needs while maintaining valuable ecosystems.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have addressed all parts of the task and maintained a clear position throughout. Your introduction sets the stage well, and your conclusion provides a balanced summary that acknowledges the complexity of the issue. The ideas are relevant and well-supported, particularly the example of Gurugram, which adds a concrete dimension to your argument. To reach a higher band, you could further extend the development of your points by discussing the potential long-term socio-economic impacts of such developments, rather than focusing primarily on the immediate need for housing. Overall, your response is well-focused and directly answers the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

Your essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use cohesive devices such as 'However,' 'Conversely,' and 'Consequently' effectively to link your arguments. The transition between the environmental concerns and the practical housing needs is smooth. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct viewpoints. To improve, ensure that the referencing within sentences remains precise; for instance, ensure that pronouns clearly point back to their antecedents to avoid any ambiguity. The structure is sound and supports the reader's understanding throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, incorporating sophisticated terms such as 'encroachment,' 'deleteriously,' 'animal husbandry,' and 'pragmatic approach.' These choices show an awareness of style and collocation. There are occasional minor inaccuracies, such as 'adequate lands' (land is usually uncountable in this context) and 'establishments' (which can sound slightly unnatural when referring to residential housing). However, these do not impede communication. You have successfully used less common lexical items to convey your ideas with precision, which is a hallmark of a strong performance in this criterion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

You display a good command of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses ('If such environments are encroached...') and concessive clauses ('although this practice might disturb...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is generally strong. There are very few grammatical slips, such as the pluralization of 'lands' mentioned previously. Your ability to vary sentence length and complexity contributes to a fluent reading experience. The grammar is accurate enough that it never causes confusion or difficulty for the reader, placing you firmly in the higher band range.

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