Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

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

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)

The demand for affordable housing has intensified globally, leading to a debate on whether rural land should be used for residential construction or strictly preserved. In my opinion, while protecting natural habitats is vital, controlled development on rural fringes is acceptable when urban space is exhausted, provided strict environmental safeguards are enforced.

On the one hand, preserving the countryside is essential for ecological stability and food security. Converting natural landscapes into housing estates leads to deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and the destruction of wildlife habitats. Furthermore, rural land plays a critical role in agriculture, providing essential food supplies for national consumption. Unchecked expansion into rural areas—often referred to as urban sprawl—can permanently degrade ecosystems and diminish agricultural capacity, making long-term sustainability difficult to maintain.

On the other hand, access to shelter is a fundamental human need that governments must address. In many regions, cities face severe space limitations and inflated property prices, leaving young families unable to afford homes. If brownfield sites (previously built-upon urban land) are fully utilized, expanding into selected rural areas becomes unavoidable. However, such development must be carefully managed. Planners should prioritize eco-friendly, high-density housing equipped with green energy sources and public transit connections to minimize the environmental footprint.

In conclusion, preserving rural green spaces should remain a priority, but it should not completely block necessary housing projects. A balanced strategy that permits sustainable, eco-friendly development in specific rural zones while enforcing strict environmental protection laws offers the most practical path forward.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The candidate addresses all parts of the prompt, taking a balanced and nuanced position that acknowledges the importance of rural preservation while permitting controlled, eco-friendly development when necessary. The arguments presented are relevant and well-supported, discussing ecological stability, food security, and housing needs. However, there is a penalty for length, as the student's response contains 246 words, narrowly missing the 250-word minimum requirement specified for Task 2. Consequently, while the quality of content and development aligns closely with higher band expectations, the task response is slightly constrained by this minor word count deficit. Overall, the ideas are well-developed and the position is clear throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

Coherence and cohesion are managed very well throughout the text. The essay follows a logical organizational pattern with a clear introduction, two distinct body paragraphs representing opposing sides of the argument, and a concise concluding summary. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and each paragraph has a clear central topic. The student employs a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion', ensuring smooth transitions between ideas. Referencing is clear, and the progression of thought is easy to follow from the opening thesis statement to the final recommendation.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary for the task, allowing for some precision and flexibility. The student successfully uses less common and topic-specific vocabulary such as 'ecological stability', 'urban sprawl', 'biodiversity', 'brownfield sites', and 'environmental footprint'. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate, and spelling is correct throughout. While the lexical range does not quite reach the sophisticated level required for an 8.0, it comfortably satisfies the criteria for Band 7.0 by demonstrating an ability to use precise terms to discuss housing and environmental issues.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The candidate displays good control of grammatical structures, using a successful mix of simple and complex sentences. There is a frequent occurrence of error-free sentences alongside complex clauses, such as 'In my opinion, while protecting natural habitats is vital, controlled development on rural fringes is acceptable when urban space is exhausted, provided strict environmental safeguards are enforced.' Punctuation is handled accurately, and subordination is used effectively to convey complex relationships between ideas. The few minor flaws do not impede communication in any way, reflecting a solid command of grammar appropriate for a strong upper-intermediate level.

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

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