IELTS Writing Task 2: Historic Buildings (Two Part Question) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers

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Prompt (February 2026 Two-Part Question)

> Some people believe that governments should invest in preserving historic buildings, while others argue that funds should be used for new public infrastructure. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Model Answers with Scoring Breakdowns

Band 6.0 Answer

Some people think governments should spend money on old buildings. Others say new infrastructure is more important. I think both are important but old buildings should be prioritized.

Preserving historic buildings is good because they tell us about our past. For example, the Great Wall of China shows us ancient military technology. If we don't protect these buildings, we lose this history forever. Also, old buildings can attract tourists, which brings money to local economies. The Taj Mahal in India is very popular with visitors and helps the country's economy.

On the other hand, new infrastructure like schools and hospitals is also important. These things improve people's lives directly. In many countries, there are not enough good hospitals or schools. Building new ones would help more people than preserving old buildings. Also, new infrastructure can create jobs, which helps the economy.

In my opinion, governments should focus more on historic buildings. We can always build new things, but once old buildings are gone, we can't get them back. Also, preserving history makes people proud of their country and culture.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (6.0): Presents a position but with some irrelevant points. Develops arguments with some supporting ideas.
• Cohesion and Cohesion (6.0): Uses some connecting words but with some difficulties. Paragraphing is adequate.
• Lexical Resource (6.0): Attempts varied vocabulary but with some errors and inappropriate word choices.
• Grammatical Range/Accuracy (6.0): Has frequent grammatical errors but meaning is usually clear.

Band 7.0 Answer

The preservation of historic buildings versus investment in new public infrastructure presents a compelling dilemma for governments worldwide. While both viewpoints have merit, I firmly believe that historic preservation should be prioritized.

Proponents of historic preservation argue convincingly that these structures are irreplaceable cultural assets. The Pyramids of Giza, for instance, offer invaluable insights into ancient Egyptian civilization. Beyond their cultural significance, historic buildings often become major tourist attractions, stimulating local economies. Machu Picchu in Peru generates substantial revenue through tourism, demonstrating the economic potential of preservation efforts.

Conversely, advocates for new infrastructure contend that modern facilities better serve contemporary needs. In many developing nations, the demand for adequate healthcare and education infrastructure outweighs the benefits of preserving old structures. New hospitals and schools can directly improve quality of life and drive economic development through job creation.

In my view, governments should allocate more resources to historic preservation. While new infrastructure is undoubtedly important, historic buildings represent our collective heritage. Once destroyed, this heritage cannot be recovered. Moreover, innovative solutions like adaptive reuse can address both preservation and modern needs simultaneously.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (7.0): Presents a clear position throughout. Presents, extends, and supports main trends, arguments, or concepts.
• Cohesion and Cohesion (7.0): Uses a mix of cohesive devices appropriately. Logical sequence is evident.
• Lexical Resource (7.0): Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, though some less precise word choices occur.
• Grammatical Range/Accuracy (7.0): Has a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, with occasional errors.

Band 8.0 Answer

The debate surrounding government allocation of resources between historic preservation and new infrastructure development is multifaceted. While both perspectives warrant consideration, I maintain that prioritizing historic buildings offers more substantial long-term benefits.

Those advocating for historic preservation present compelling arguments centered on cultural heritage and economic potential. Angkor Wat in Cambodia exemplifies how such sites can become significant cultural symbols, fostering national pride. Furthermore, these landmarks often become economic engines through tourism, as evidenced by the economic impact of the Colosseum in Rome. The UNESCO World Heritage program recognizes this value, designating sites based on their outstanding universal value.

Conversely, the case for new infrastructure highlights immediate societal needs. In rapidly urbanizing regions, modern transportation systems and educational facilities are crucial for economic growth and quality of life improvement. The construction of new hospitals, for example, can directly address public health crises, as seen in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

I contend that governments should focus more on historic preservation. The intangible cultural value of historic buildings is irreplaceable, and their economic potential is substantial. Additionally, preservation can be integrated with modern development through adaptive reuse projects, creating a harmonious balance between past and present.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (8.0): Presents a position with relevant, extended, and supported arguments. Presents a clear central idea.
• Cohesion and Cohesion (8.0): Uses a wide range of cohesive devices flexibly and appropriately. Logical sequence is clear.
• Lexical Resource (8.0): Uses a wide range of vocabulary precisely and naturally, with only minor errors.
• Grammatical Range/Accuracy (8.0): Uses a wide range of structures with only occasional errors.

Band 9.0 Answer

The allocation of public funds to either preserve historic buildings or develop new infrastructure represents a significant policy challenge. While both options yield distinct advantages, I firmly believe that prioritizing historic preservation offers more profound benefits for society.

The case for historic preservation is underpinned by cultural significance and economic potential. The Acropolis in Athens serves as a potent symbol of Western civilization, embodying democratic principles and architectural innovation. Such sites foster cultural identity and national pride, as seen in the social impact of the restoration of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Economically, historic buildings can generate substantial revenue through tourism, as demonstrated by the economic influence of the Alhambra in Granada.

Conversely, proponents of new infrastructure emphasize its role in addressing contemporary societal needs. In many developing nations, inadequate transportation networks and educational facilities hinder economic progress. The construction of new schools, for instance, can break the cycle of poverty by providing quality education, as evidenced by initiatives in Rwanda.

I maintain that governments should allocate more resources to historic preservation. The cultural value of these structures is irreplaceable, and their economic potential is substantial. Furthermore, innovative preservation techniques and adaptive reuse projects can address both conservation and modern development needs, creating a symbiotic relationship between past and present.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (9.0): Presents a clear position throughout with relevant, extended, and supported arguments. Presents a central idea clearly and logically.
• Cohesion and Cohesion (9.0): Uses cohesive devices flexibly and appropriately. Logical sequence is clear and skillful.
• Lexical Resource (9.0): Uses a wide range of vocabulary precisely and naturally with sophisticated control.
• Grammatical Range/Accuracy (9.0): Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy.

Key Vocabulary Highlights

1. Preservation (noun) - the action of keeping something in its original state: "The preservation of historic buildings is crucial for cultural heritage."
2. Infrastructure (noun) - the basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society: "Investment in infrastructure is essential for economic growth."
3. Irreplaceable (adjective) - impossible to replace: "Historic buildings are irreplaceable cultural assets."
4. Adaptive reuse (noun) - the process of finding new uses for old buildings: "Adaptive reuse can transform historic buildings into modern facilities."
5. Economic potential (noun phrase) - the capacity for economic growth or profit: "Historic buildings have significant economic potential through tourism."
6. Cultural heritage (noun phrase) - the full range of tangible and intangible assets inherited from the past: "Preserving cultural heritage is vital for national identity."
7. Symbol (noun) - something that stands for or suggests something else: "The Acropolis is a powerful symbol of Western civilization."
8. Foster (verb) - to encourage the development of something: "These initiatives foster cultural identity and pride."
9. Underpinned (verb) - to support or justify something: "The case for preservation is underpinned by cultural and economic arguments."
10. Contemporary (adjective) - belonging to or occurring in the present: "New infrastructure addresses contemporary societal needs."
11. Hinder (verb) - to make it difficult for someone to do something: "Inadequate infrastructure hinders economic progress."
12. Symbiotic relationship (noun phrase) - a relationship between two things that is mutually beneficial: "Preservation and development can have a symbiotic relationship."
13. Allocation (noun) - the action of distributing something: "Governments need to carefully consider resource allocation."
14. Multifaceted (adjective) - having many different aspects: "The debate is multifaceted with many considerations."
15. Potential (noun) - having or showing the capacity to become or develop into something in the future: "Historic buildings have significant economic potential."
16. Significance (noun) - the quality of being worthy of attention; importance: "The cultural significance of these sites cannot be overstated."
17. Urbanizing (verb) - the process of developing an area into a city or urban area: "Rapid urbanizing creates demand for new infrastructure."
18. Address (verb) - to deal with a problem or situation: "New healthcare facilities can address public health crises."
19. Integrated (adjective) - combined or coordinated to work together: "We need integrated solutions that balance preservation and development."
20. Innovative (adjective) - introducing new ideas; original and creative: "Innovative preservation techniques are essential for modern challenges."

5 Common Mistakes Students Make

1. Insufficient Development of Arguments: Many students present their main ideas but fail to develop them with supporting details or examples. This limits their score in the Task Response criteria.
2. Overuse of Simple Sentence Structures: Students often rely too heavily on simple sentences, which affects their Grammatical Range and Accuracy score. Incorporating complex sentences with varied structures improves scores.
3. Lack of Clear Position: In two-part questions, it's crucial to state a clear position. Some students present both sides without clearly indicating which they support, leading to lower Task Response scores.
4. Inappropriate Vocabulary: Using words that don't fit the context or are too informal can negatively impact Lexical Resource scores. Students should aim for formal academic vocabulary.
5. Poor Paragraphing: Effective paragraphing is essential for Cohesion and Cohesion scores. Some students write long paragraphs without clear topic sentences or logical flow between ideas.

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