Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · 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 8.0)

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 land 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 land which preserves wildlife and provides 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. For example, urbanisation has led to the extinction of many wildlife species in the past.

Conversely, city-dwellers are struggling with inadequate housing which deleteriously affects their quality of life. Since cities are already congested, 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 a rapidly growing population has created an additional burden on already stretched housing conditions in 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 8.0

You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position from the introduction through to the conclusion. Your ideas are well-developed, particularly the balance between the need for housing and the necessity of environmental preservation. You support your arguments with a relevant example regarding urban expansion in Gurugram, which adds depth to your response. The conclusion provides a nuanced, pragmatic solution that demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the topic. The response is balanced, logical, and directly answers the question asked, meeting all the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the environmental concerns and the practical necessity of housing is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'However,' 'Conversely,' 'Consequently,' and 'Nevertheless,' which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different facets of the debate. The flow is natural, and the relationship between sentences is consistently clear, making the essay easy to follow from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, using sophisticated terms such as 'encroachment,' 'deleteriously,' 'self-sufficient,' and 'pragmatic approach.' These choices are precise and enhance the academic tone of the essay. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation. You successfully use less common lexical items to express complex ideas, which shows a high level of control. The vocabulary is not only accurate but also contributes to the overall clarity and impact of your arguments, fitting the criteria for a high band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your writing displays a wide range of complex structures, including conditional sentences ('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 and syntax is excellent. There are no major grammatical errors that impede communication. You maintain a consistent and formal tone throughout, and your use of complex sentence forms is both accurate and natural. This level of grammatical control is consistent with the requirements for a high band score.

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