Would you prefer to live in a traditional house or in a modern apartment building? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.
Sample Response
If I was asked where I would I prefer to live in a traditional house or in a modern apartment building, I think, I would hesitate to answer. This question, from my point of view, is a controversial one. In the following paragraphs, I will analyse both these options and present my view.
From the one side, living in a modern apartment building brings many benefits. First of all, it is cheaper than living in a traditional house and paying different kinds of fees I am not familiar with. For instance, my friend, who recently bought a new house for his family, said me that it is much easier to live in an apartment and I tend to believe him when I see his bills. So, living in an apartment will definitely help me to save some money. Second of all, since I live alone I do not need a big house with many rooms. I just need a bedroom and a living room where I can take my guests and have my workplace. Another important benefit of living in an apartment is that I will not have to buy much cumbersome furniture in order to furnish all rooms.
However, living in a modern apartment building can have a few disadvantages too. Firstly, it can be noisy and, secondly, I will not have any privacy outside my apartment, for example, in a pool or gym.
From the other side, living in a traditional house has some advantages too. For example, I can have my own pool, gym and a garden where I can relax and be alone. However, living in a house is usually more expensive and requires more time to maintain a house. For instance, I will most likely have to hire someone to mow my lawn and clean my pool not to mention all household tasks inside the house.
In conclusion, I think at this moment I would prefer to live in an apartment. It can help me save some money and allows me to spend more time studying because I will not have to do many household tasks.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use the subjunctive Original: was Suggested revision: were Why it matters: Were is appropriate for this hypothetical condition.
- 2. Fix embedded question Original: where I would I prefer Suggested revision: whether I would prefer Why it matters: An embedded choice question uses whether and statement word order.
- 3. Remove the comma Original: I think, I would Suggested revision: I think I would Why it matters: The comma incorrectly separates think from its content clause.
- 4. Choose a precise adjective Original: controversial Suggested revision: difficult Why it matters: The writer describes a personally difficult choice rather than a matter causing public controversy.
- 5. Use the paired linker Original: From the one side Suggested revision: On the one hand Why it matters: On the one hand is the standard linker paired with on the other hand.
- 6. Use the correct verb Original: said Suggested revision: told Why it matters: Tell, not say, takes a person directly as its object.
- 7. Use a formal sequencer Original: Second of all Suggested revision: Secondly Why it matters: Secondly provides a more concise formal transition between reasons.
- 8. Add the comma Original: since I live alone I Suggested revision: since I live alone, I Why it matters: A comma should separate the introductory subordinate clause from the main clause.
- 9. Correct the collocation Original: take Suggested revision: receive Why it matters: Receive or entertain guests is natural English; take guests has a different meaning.
- 10. Fix the quantifier Original: much cumbersome furniture Suggested revision: a lot of cumbersome furniture Why it matters: Much is generally not used this way in an affirmative statement.
- 11. Complete the linker pair Original: From the other side Suggested revision: On the other hand Why it matters: On the other hand correctly contrasts this section with the apartment discussion.
- 12. Keep verb forms parallel Original: allows Suggested revision: allow Why it matters: Both coordinated verbs must use the base form after can.
Suggested Rewrites
- was were
- where I would I prefer whether I would prefer
- I think, I would I think I would
- controversial difficult
- From the one side On the one hand
- said told
Why this response received Band 7.0
The response reaches a clear preference and supports it with specific, logically arranged comparisons involving cost, space, privacy, and maintenance. Its main limitation is language control: several awkward collocations and recurring grammatical slips reduce fluency despite a useful range of sentence forms. The highest-priority improvement is to revise conditional structures, verb patterns, agreement, and common phrases so the well-developed argument reads more naturally and accurately.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Response
The final preference is clear and supported by specific, relevant reasons developed through comparison of both housing options.
State the preferred option earlier and deepen the strongest reasons rather than briefly listing minor disadvantages.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas are logically ordered in focused paragraphs, and the comparison is easy to follow despite some mechanical transitions.
Use more natural transitions than from the one side and from the other side, and integrate the short disadvantage paragraph more smoothly.
Lexical Resource
The vocabulary is sufficient and sometimes flexible, but several awkward collocations and verb choices limit precision.
Replace unnatural phrases such as said me, take my guests, and much cumbersome furniture with standard idiomatic alternatives.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
The response uses varied sentence structures, but errors in conditionals, word order, verb patterns, and agreement recur.
Review hypothetical forms and verb complements, then proofread each compound sentence for consistent verb forms and punctuation.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Would you prefer to live in a traditional house or in a modern apartment building? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.