Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-20

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 5.5)

There has been growing concern whether contructing houses in villages or in cities. Some people believe that there is land scarcity in megacities and therefore only space left for building a house is in countryside. However, others argue that it is essential to save the small villages from converting agriculture land into real estate. In my opinion, the balanced approach should be adopted such as control the development of housing while safeguarding the environment.

To begin, due to the increasing demand of land for constructing house is one of the main issues seen recently. This is happen because of the high population, the cities are overcrowded with significant increasing of people. To accomodate these people, cities need more space. Even though the builders are constructing skyscrapper building, the property prices are high. Due to that, it is not affordable by local community to own apartment in town. As a result, there is no option left but to move in villages. They prefer to villages beacause it provides lower cost options for families to buy a house.

On the other hand, some people are concern for protection of environment and therefore they are against the decision of providing farming land to construct houses. Firstly, rural land is mostly used for growing fruits and vegetables. If they lose this land, it will threaten local and supply chain region. Secondly, villages have green spaces so that it is natural habitats for animals and birds. Once the land destroyed, it will affects to biodiversity.

In conclusion, although environment protection is the main concern of not constructing houses in villages, I believe that adopting balanced approach by providing some space for buisling houses and some s

villages protection= agriculture land, provide food, fresh vegetable, organic food--> converting fertile field into real estate can threaten global food supplies.

fresh air to live without pollution, as no traffic.

villages= high population -> cities overcrowded with people-> property prices high-> cannot affordable. building new home in villages provides lower cost options for families. city has scarcity of space. people cannot find houses unless a bvertical apartment in congested building. -> villages has new houses libraries, facilities of bus service.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You present a relevant, balanced position: housing demand and affordability are weighed against protecting farmland and wildlife. The body paragraphs give pertinent reasons, including overcrowded cities, high property prices, food production and biodiversity. However, the position is not fully sustained or developed. The introduction says a balanced approach is needed, but the conclusion is cut off after “some s…”, so the final recommendation and overall answer are unclear. Several points are asserted rather than explained—for example, the effect of losing farmland on the “local and supply chain region” is difficult to understand. Develop the balance with a specific proposal, such as building only on less productive land while protecting key agricultural areas, and support it with a clear example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, two contrasting body paragraphs and a conclusion, and signposts such as “To begin,” “On the other hand” and “In conclusion” help identify the stages of the argument. However, progression is uneven: the conclusion breaks off, and the final section includes disconnected notes about villages, food, pollution and facilities rather than a completed paragraph. Some links between ideas are also unclear, as in “This is happen because of the high population, the cities are overcrowded,” where the relationship is not smoothly expressed. Use one main idea per paragraph, connect each explanation explicitly to the argument, and remove planning notes before submitting. Clearer referencing and a complete ending would make the overall progression easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of topic vocabulary, including “land scarcity,” “overcrowded,” “property prices,” “agriculture land,” “natural habitats” and “biodiversity.” These choices show an attempt to discuss housing and environmental impacts precisely. However, the range is not consistently controlled: several word choices or collocations are awkward, such as “significant increasing of people,” “move in villages” and “threaten local and supply chain region.” Spelling errors, including “contructing,” “accomodate” and “buisling,” are also noticeable and reduce accuracy. Aim for natural combinations such as “a growing population,” “move to rural areas” and “threaten regional food supplies.” Proofreading spelling and checking whether phrases sound idiomatic will help make your meaning clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a conditional sentence beginning “If they lose this land” and a concession with “Even though.” However, complex structures are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences difficult to follow. For example, “due to the increasing demand of land … is one of the main issues” has an incomplete grammatical construction, while “This is happen because …” combines an incorrect verb form with a comma splice. There are also agreement and verb-form problems in “it will affects” and “villages have green spaces so that it is natural habitats.” Practise building complete clauses, checking subject–verb agreement and using one clear sentence rather than joining independent clauses with a comma.

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