Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-24

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 7.0)

The growing global population has triggered a severe housing shortage, forcing urban planners to consider developing rural areas. While protecting the countryside is undeniably important for ecological balance, I believe that building new homes in rural regions is a necessity, provided it is executed through sustainable and controlled planning.

On the one hand, preserving the countryside is vital for environmental and agricultural reason. Rural spaces function as natural habitats for wildlife and act as the green lungs for our planet, absorbing carbon emissions. Unchecked development risks destroying biodiversity and depleting fertile agricultural and I and required for food production. For instance, in many developing nations, rapid urban sprawl has permanently erased thousands of hectares of arable land, leading to a heavier reliance on food imports. Therefore, safeguarding these areas protects both ecosystems and national food security.

However, the pressing demand for housing cannot be ignored. Cities worldwide are becoming overpopulated, resulting in skyrocketing property prices and substandard living conditions for lower-income families. Expanding residential developments into the countryside offers a practical solution to make housing affordable again. Furthermore, rural development does not have to mean environmental destruction. Modern eco-friendly architecture can integrate green spaces, utilize renewable energy, and minimize carbon footprints. This expansion can also revitalize stagnant rural economies by introducing new infrastructure, schools, and healthcare facilities to local communities.

In conclusion, although the conservation of rural landscapes is essential, the human right to affordable shelter must take precedence. A balanced approach is needed, where governments strictly regulate countryside development to ensure that new housing projects are highly sustainable thereby addressing the housing crisis compromising environmental integrity.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have fully addressed all parts of the task. Your position is clear from the introduction and is maintained consistently throughout the essay. You provide a balanced view, acknowledging the importance of environmental protection while arguing for the necessity of rural housing development. Your ideas are well-developed, particularly in the second and third paragraphs, where you provide relevant examples and logical reasoning. The conclusion effectively summarizes your stance and offers a nuanced solution. To reach a higher band, ensure that your supporting examples are slightly more detailed to further strengthen the depth of your argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion' to link your points effectively. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall flow of the argument. Referencing is generally clear, though there is a minor grammatical slip in the final sentence ('housing crisis compromising environmental integrity') where a conjunction or punctuation mark is missing to improve the connection between these two clauses. Overall, the structure is coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, using terms like 'ecological balance', 'urban sprawl', 'arable land', and 'stagnant rural economies' appropriately. This shows an awareness of style and collocation. There is a minor error in the second paragraph ('agricultural and I and required'), which appears to be a typo or a slip in word choice. Despite this, your vocabulary is sufficient to convey precise meanings and allows for flexibility in your writing. To improve, try to incorporate more idiomatic expressions or less common collocations to demonstrate a more sophisticated command of the language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your control of grammar is generally strong. There are a few minor slips, such as the aforementioned typo in the second paragraph and a missing preposition or conjunction in the final sentence, which slightly affects the clarity of the concluding thought. However, these errors are infrequent and do not impede communication. Your use of punctuation is generally accurate, and your sentence variety helps maintain the reader's interest throughout the response.

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