Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-01

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 6.5)

There is debate over whether new houses should be built in rural areas. The need for new homes and a lack of space in urban areas is undeniable however, countryside areas play a significant role in the livelihood of a country and should be preserved.

Building homes in countryside would mean that we destroy areas that are highly fertile and grow farmland crops. This would result in a decline in food production which is significantly detrimental for both the residents as well as the government. For instance, counties in asia have great quality crops producing rice - the locals not only enjoy rice by themselves but they also produce enough to make profits from it by exporting. If those countries face increased urbanisation, their economic balance would be extremely offset.

In contrast, many people feel it is more important to inhabit those areas to cope with the rise in population. However, an alternative strategy could be used by the government where they actively play a role to make sure no citizen is displaced and every one gets a place to call home without destroying balance of nature. For example, the state could focus on building multi storey high rise residential properties which could house a greater number of families in the same given area as opposed to the traditional villa style residences.

In conclusion, it is important to realise the adverse effects of urbanisation. The benefits of protecting rural areas outweigh the drawbacks for both the state and the citizens.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have addressed all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position that favors protecting the countryside. Your arguments regarding food security and the alternative of high-density urban development are relevant and well-supported. To reach a higher band, ensure your examples are more specific; for instance, instead of 'counties in asia', naming a specific country or region would strengthen your argument. Additionally, while your position is clear, further developing the counter-argument in the third paragraph would provide a more balanced and nuanced discussion, demonstrating a deeper exploration of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'For instance', and 'In conclusion' effectively to guide the reader. However, some transitions could be smoother; for example, the connection between the second and third paragraphs could be strengthened to better contrast the two viewpoints. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and each paragraph has a clear central topic. Overall, the progression of ideas is logical and easy to follow throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision, using terms like 'urbanisation', 'detrimental', and 'displaced'. There are some minor issues with collocation and word choice, such as 'economic balance would be extremely offset' and 'inhabit those areas', which sound slightly unnatural. To improve, focus on using more sophisticated collocations and idiomatic expressions. While your vocabulary is adequate for the task, incorporating a wider variety of less common lexical items would help elevate your score to the next level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the conditional sentence in the second paragraph. There are some grammatical errors, such as missing articles ('in countryside', 'in asia') and minor punctuation issues. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, pay closer attention to article usage and subject-verb agreement. Increasing the variety of complex structures, such as using more passive voice or inverted structures, would also demonstrate greater grammatical control.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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