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 parts of the world, the growing population has created a strong demand for new housing. However, in some areas, the only available land for construction is in the countryside. While some people believe that rural areas should be protected, I believe that building new homes can be necessary, provided that it is done carefully and responsibly.

On the one hand, protecting the countryside is important for several reasons. Rural areas provide natural habitats for wildlife and help maintain biodiversity. They also contain forests, farmland and other natural resources that are important for the environment and food production. If too many houses are built in these areas, natural habitats may be destroyed and agricultural land may be reduced. For example, uncontrolled development around cities can lead to the loss of farmland and green spaces.

On the other hand, there is a serious need for affordable housing in many growing cities. If governments completely prohibit construction in the countryside, housing shortages may become worse, resulting in higher property prices and rents. In addition, building well-planned residential communities outside major cities can reduce pressure on overcrowded urban areas. For instance, new housing developments can be designed with public transportation, schools and parks so that people can live comfortably without causing unnecessary environmental damage.

In my opinion, the countryside should be protected as much as possible, but a complete ban on construction is unrealistic. Governments should first encourage the redevelopment of unused industrial land and empty buildings in cities. However, where additional land is genuinely required, carefully selected areas of the countryside can be developed under strict environmental regulations.

In conclusion, protecting rural areas is important, but providing sufficient housing is also essential. Therefore, I believe that limited and well-planned development should be allowed while valuable farmland and environmentally sensitive areas are strictly protected.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it consistently throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, with a balanced discussion of both the environmental concerns and the practical necessity of housing. You provide relevant examples, such as the mention of urban redevelopment and the impact of housing shortages on property prices, which support your main points effectively. The conclusion provides a clear summary that aligns with your initial stance. The ideas are extended logically, demonstrating a strong grasp of the task requirements.

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 paragraphs is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion'. The use of referencing is accurate, and the flow of information is easy to follow. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate distinct arguments, which helps the reader navigate your reasoning. The cohesion is managed well throughout the text, making the overall structure coherent and professional.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the task. You use topic-specific terms such as 'biodiversity', 'uncontrolled development', 'residential communities', and 'environmentally sensitive areas' with precision. While the vocabulary is generally accurate and natural, it stays within a standard range. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic expressions. However, the current level of lexical resource is sufficient to convey your ideas clearly and effectively without any noticeable errors in word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('If governments completely prohibit...') and participial phrases ('...designed with public transportation...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no significant errors that impede communication. The grammatical structures used are varied and demonstrate a high level of accuracy, which supports the clarity of your arguments throughout the response.

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