In numerous countries, more and more people are intrigued in the concept of researching the history or past of the where they now live. Why is this? What can people do to do this kind of research?
Sample Response
There is a growing trend whereby residents are researching the history of their homes. In my opinion, this is due to a natural curiosity and practical concerns and should be done through official channels.
Many are interested in the past of their home because they desire to link with history and are worried about potential structural faults. The first reason is analogous to exhaustively studying family genealogy. By researching one’s ancestors or place of residence, it is possible to understand and establish a connection with the past. Moreover, there is a pragmatic reason related to historical, construction methods. Older homes in particular may have employed unsafe techniques or materials that will degrade, creating the risk of structural damage and, in the worst cases, collapses. By learning about the house and period when it was built, residents can take the necessary steps to ensure the house is structurally sound.
The method for carrying out such specialized research involves requesting local records. It is possible to do initial research through “word of mouth” and collecting relevant stories in a community. However, this information may be unreliable, and therefore an individual should endeavor to contact their local building authorities. In most countries, it is possible to register a freedom of information request and receive the required documents from municipal offices. Governments have little incentive to protect such information and are likely to be receptive and helpful in offering assistance. Residents can then be assured they have the most trustworthy information possible in order to better understand the history of their home and any possible defects in its construction.
To conclude, some today gather information concerning the history of their home to understand the past and guarantee their safety. This development is advisable and the authorities should comply and encourage such fact-finding.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use natural phrasing Original: the past of their home Suggested revision: the history of their homes Why it matters: “The history of their homes” is the natural expression and agrees with the plural subject.
- 2. Use natural collocation Original: link Suggested revision: connect Why it matters: “Connect with history” is the standard collocation for forming a personal relationship with the past.
- 3. Simplify comparison Original: analogous to exhaustively studying family genealogy Suggested revision: comparable to researching one’s family history Why it matters: The revision conveys the comparison clearly without the awkward intensifier and redundant term “family genealogy.”
- 4. Remove incorrect comma Original: historical, construction methods Suggested revision: historical construction methods Why it matters: A comma cannot separate the adjective “historical” from the noun phrase it modifies.
- 5. Avoid unwarranted certainty Original: will Suggested revision: may Why it matters: “May” correctly presents deterioration as a possibility rather than a certainty.
- 6. Use correct article Original: the Suggested revision: a Why it matters: The risk has not been previously identified, so the indefinite article is appropriate.
- 7. Complete noun phrase Original: the house and period when it was built Suggested revision: the house and the period in which it was built Why it matters: The second coordinated noun requires its own article, and “in which” correctly links the period to the construction.
- 8. Use correct collocation Original: register Suggested revision: submit Why it matters: A request is normally “submitted” or “filed,” rather than “registered.”
- 9. Clarify intended meaning Original: protect Suggested revision: withhold Why it matters: “Protect” suggests safeguarding data, while the argument concerns refusing to disclose it.
- 10. Add required conjunction Original: can then be assured they have Suggested revision: can then be assured that they have Why it matters: The conjunction “that” clearly introduces the clause following “assured.”
- 11. Sentence rewrite Original: It is possible to do initial research through “word of mouth” and collecting relevant stories in a community. Suggested revision: It is possible to conduct initial research by using word of mouth and collecting relevant stories within a community. Why it matters: The rewrite restores parallel structure after “by” and uses the more natural verb “conduct.”
Suggested Rewrites
- the past of their home the history of their homes
- link connect
- analogous to exhaustively studying family genealogy comparable to researching one’s family history
- historical, construction methods historical construction methods
- will may
- the a
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response answers both parts directly, organising well-developed reasons and practical research methods into a clear, persuasive progression. Its strongest feature is the detailed explanation of structural concerns and official records, supported by flexible vocabulary and controlled complex sentences. The main limitation is occasional awkward or imprecise phrasing, so the highest-priority improvement is to edit collocations and parallel structures for greater naturalness.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The response fully explains why residents investigate their homes and how they can research them, with relevant and extended support.
Develop the curiosity motive as fully as the safety motive to make the treatment of the reasons more evenly detailed.
Coherence and Cohesion
Information is sequenced logically across focused paragraphs, and cohesive devices are used effectively without obscuring the argument.
Tighten the final paragraph so it concludes the two requested points without adding the less necessary recommendation to authorities.
Lexical Resource
The response demonstrates a broad, topic-appropriate vocabulary with generally precise choices such as 'structural faults' and 'municipal offices'.
Refine occasional awkward combinations such as 'link with history' and 'register a freedom of information request'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Complex structures are varied and generally well controlled, although a few minor punctuation and parallelism errors remain.
Correct slips such as the comma in 'historical, construction methods' and make coordinated forms grammatically parallel.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
In numerous countries, more and more people are intrigued in the concept of researching the history or past of the where they now live. Why is this? What can people do to do this kind of research?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.