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)

In many parts of the world, there is a growing demand for new housing, while the amount of available land in cities is limited. Although some people believe that the rural areas should be completely protected from development, I believe that carefully planned housing should be allowed in some countryside when there is a genuine need for new homes.

Firstly, one should think of environmental protection while considering new area development in countryside. To illustrate, rural areas are the one who has more forests, farmlands, wildlife and natural habitats. Thus, building large housing projects can destroy ecosystems and increase pollution. Additionally, once green land is covered with roads and houses, it is very difficult to restore. For example, farmland near large cities may be important for local food production. If it is continuously replaced by housing developments, countries may become more dependent on imported food.

On the other hand, building some new homes in the countryside may be necessary because many cities are facing serious housing shortages. As the population increases, more people need affordable places to live, and there may not be enough land available in urban areas. If governments completely stop construction in rural areas, house prices and rents may become even more expensive. Therefore, carefully planned development should be allowed on suitable land, especially near existing towns and transport links.

In conclusion, I believe that protecting the countryside is very important because of its environmental and agricultural value. However, when there is a genuine shortage of housing, limited and well-planned development should be permitted. This approach can provide people with necessary homes while also reducing damage to the natural environment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have addressed all parts of the task by presenting a clear position and supporting it with relevant arguments. Your introduction establishes a balanced view, and the body paragraphs provide logical reasons for both protecting the countryside and allowing development. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the point regarding food security and the necessity of housing near transport links. To reach a higher band, ensure that your examples are slightly more specific; for instance, instead of mentioning 'large cities' generally, you could refer to a specific region or a hypothetical scenario to add depth to your argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you have used cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Additionally', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' effectively to guide the reader. The transition between the environmental concerns and the housing necessity is smooth. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. To improve, ensure that your referencing is always precise; for example, in the phrase 'rural areas are the one who has', the pronoun 'one' is slightly awkward and could be replaced by 'those that have' to improve the flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'genuine need', 'environmental protection', and 'existing towns and transport links' are used accurately. There are some minor issues with word choice, such as 'rural areas are the one who has', where 'who' is incorrectly used for inanimate areas. While your vocabulary is adequate for the task, incorporating more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items would elevate your score. Overall, your language is clear and conveys your meaning effectively without any significant impediments to communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this task. Most of your sentences are clear and grammatically sound. However, there are occasional errors, such as 'rural areas are the one who has' (subject-verb agreement and pronoun usage) and 'in some countryside' (should be 'in some countryside areas'). Despite these minor slips, your control of grammar is generally good, and the errors do not impede the reader's understanding. To achieve a higher band, focus on ensuring consistent subject-verb agreement and refining the use of articles.

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