Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-02

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 7.5)

In many places, there is a growing need for new homes because the population is increasing. Some people believe that the countryside should be protected instead of using it for housing. I agree that new homes are necessary, but I believe that the countryside should be protected as much as possible.

Firstly, building new houses in rural areas can increase pollution. Construction requires many vehicles and machines to transport materials and build houses. These vehicles can produce a large amount of air pollution, while construction work can also create noise pollution. In addition, new housing areas require roads and other facilities, which can increase traffic in the countryside. For example, if a large number of houses are built outside a city, more cars and trucks may use the roads in that area, leading to higher levels of pollution.

Secondly, building houses in the countryside can destroy natural land and wildlife habitats. Although people need more places to live, forests, farmland and other natural areas are also important for the environment. When these areas are used for construction, animals may lose their natural homes, while farmland can also be reduced. This would mean that there is less space for agriculture and wildlife. For instance, farmland near large cities is sometimes replaced by residential buildings because there is a high demand for housing.

In my opinion, governments should make the most of land that is already available in cities before building in the countryside. Unused land and old buildings could be developed into new homes. This would mean that more people could have suitable housing while natural areas are protected.

In conclusion, although new homes are important, I believe that protecting the countryside is more beneficial in the long term because it reduces environmental damage and protects natural land. Therefore, governments should focus on developing urban areas before using rural land for housing.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position in the introduction and maintaining it throughout. The ideas are relevant and well-developed, particularly the arguments regarding pollution and habitat loss. Each body paragraph provides a clear point supported by logical reasoning and examples, such as the mention of traffic increases and the loss of farmland. The conclusion effectively summarizes the argument and provides a clear recommendation for urban development. The response is well-structured and fully answers the prompt, demonstrating a clear understanding 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 cohesive devices like 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'In conclusion'. Referencing is clear, and the use of linking words such as 'although', 'in addition', and 'therefore' helps to connect ideas effectively. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, a suggestion paragraph, and a conclusion. The flow of the argument is consistent, making the essay easy to follow throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'residential buildings', 'wildlife habitats', and 'urban areas'. While the vocabulary is generally accurate and conveys the intended meaning clearly, it lacks a high degree of sophistication or 'less common' lexical items that would elevate it to a higher band. However, there are no significant errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication, and the language used is natural and fits the context of the essay well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a good control of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'Although people need more places to live, forests, farmland and other natural areas are also important for the environment.' Punctuation is generally accurate, and the sentence structures are varied enough to maintain interest. While there are no major errors that impede communication, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited, and the writing is mostly error-free, which is consistent with a solid performance in this criterion.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.