This Band 5.5 IELTS essay discusses the advantages and disadvantages of owning a home compared to renting. However, it lacks clarity in presenting a balanced argument. Significant improvements can be made in coherence and vocabulary to enhance understanding and expression.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Question
Advantages/ Disadvantages · House Ownership · 40 min
The choice between owning and renting a home involves a careful consideration of various factors that can positively and negatively affect one's life. What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning a house compared to renting one?
Write at least 250 words.
Score Breakdown
IELTS Writing Band Scores (1–9)
Summary: The essay meets the minimum word count of 279 words. It partially addresses the prompt by discussing advantages and disadvantages of owning a home, but it fails to provide a balanced comparison with renting. The focus is primarily on owning, with minimal reference to renting. There are noticeable errors in vocabulary, spelling, and grammar that affect clarity. With improvements in task response, lexical range, and grammatical accuracy, a higher band score could be achieved.
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Some people may think that owning a house is a better option as compared to renting a home and can have a very positive affect over their lives, whereas others might have a distinctive view on this. There are various benefits of owning a house, however it also have some drawbacks.
On one hand, owning a home has many advantages. For example if a person own the property he lives in, the main advantage to him will be the safety and security. Other than this he can save more in terms of monetary value in the long run. Some people often buy homes instead of renting for investment purpose. All over the world, investments in residential properties are considered profitable. Another benefit for home owners are that they are not answerable to anyone for anhything they at their place as long as it is not illegal.
However, on the other hand, owning a home may also have many drawbacks. One main setback is that home owners are bound to live at their place and it is difficult for them to move and live in other places. For example a person owning a house at the country side might find it difficult to move to a place in the city for cutting his travel costs. Another disadvantge of owning a home may be the tax and maintanace cost. Many people in the United States of America have decided to sell their property only because they are unable to afford these kind of expenses.
Concluding the above discussion, it is clear that even though there are perks of owning a home, there are also some drawbacks that exist to some extent.
AI Feedback Report Details
Spelling · Grammar · Vocabulary · Criteria Analysis
Spelling Mistakes
4 errors| Misspelled Word | Corrected Word |
|---|---|
| anhything | anything |
| disadvantge | disadvantage |
| maintanace | maintenance |
| country side | countryside |
Grammatical Mistakes
8 errors| Mistake | Correction | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| it also have | it also has | Subject-verb agreement: 'it' is singular and requires 'has' |
| if a person own | if a person owns | Subject-verb agreement: 'person' is singular and requires 'owns' |
| for investment purpose | for investment purposes | Noun number agreement: 'purpose' should be plural to match the context |
| Another benefit for home owners are | Another benefit for home owners is | Subject-verb agreement: the subject 'benefit' is singular and requires 'is' |
| for anhything they at their place | for anything they do at their place | Incomplete phrase; 'do' is needed to form a complete verb phrase |
| these kind of expenses | this kind of expense | Agreement error: 'kind' is singular, so use 'this kind' for singular reference |
| For example a person | For example, a person | Missing comma after introductory phrase |
| at the country side | in the countryside | Incorrect preposition and spelling; 'in' is used for locations, and 'countryside' is one word |
Vocabulary Improvements
8 suggestions| Original Word/Phrase | Improved Word/Phrase | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| affect | effect | Incorrect word choice; 'affect' is a verb, but 'effect' is the noun meaning result or impact |
| distinctive view | different view | 'Distinctive' implies uniqueness, which may not fit here; 'different' is more appropriate for contrasting opinions |
| monetary value | financial savings | 'Monetary value' is vague; 'financial savings' is more precise in the context of saving money |
| answerable to anyone for anything | accountable to anyone for their actions | 'Answerable' is informal; 'accountable' is more formal and appropriate for academic writing |
| setback | drawback | 'Setback' typically refers to a temporary problem or hindrance, while 'drawback' is better for a disadvantage |
| bound to live at their place | tied to their home | 'Bound to' is informal; 'tied to their home' is more formal and precise |
| cutting his travel costs | reducing his travel costs | 'Cutting' is informal; 'reducing' is more standard in formal writing |
| perks | advantages | 'Perks' is informal slang; 'advantages' is the appropriate term for benefits |
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Detailed Criteria Feedback
AI-powered analysis for each scoring criterion
Task Response
5.5
Evaluation
The essay partially addresses the prompt by discussing advantages and disadvantages of owning a home, but it does not fully compare owning with renting. The introduction mentions both, but the body paragraphs only develop points for owning, leaving renting unexamined. This results in an incomplete response to the task.
Examples
For example, advantages like safety, long-term savings, and investment are given for owning, but no corresponding advantages or disadvantages of renting are discussed. The conclusion merely summarizes the discussion on owning without referencing renting.
How to Improve
To improve, ensure a balanced comparison by dedicating separate paragraphs or points to renting. Discuss specific advantages of renting (e.g., flexibility, lower upfront costs) and disadvantages (e.g., lack of equity, rent increases). Provide clear examples and explanations for each side to fully address the prompt.
Coherence and Cohesion
5.5
Evaluation
The essay has a basic structure with an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesion is achieved through simple linking words, but the progression of ideas within paragraphs is somewhat mechanical, and connections between sentences could be stronger.
Examples
Phrases like 'On one hand' and 'However, on the other hand' provide structure, but within paragraphs, ideas are not seamlessly linked. For instance, the jump from safety to saving money lacks a logical transition. The paragraph on disadvantages mentions mobility and costs without clear connecting phrases.
How to Improve
Use a wider range of cohesive devices (e.g., 'furthermore', 'in contrast', 'as a result') to link ideas. Ensure each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and that subsequent sentences develop that topic logically. Practice paragraphing to improve flow and coherence.
Lexical Resource
5.5
Evaluation
The vocabulary is limited and occasionally inaccurate, with several spelling errors. Some words are repeated, and there is a lack of sophisticated or topic-specific lexical items, which restricts the range and precision of expression.
Examples
Misspellings: 'anhything' (anything), 'disadvantge' (disadvantage), 'maintanace' (maintenance). Repetition of basic terms like 'advantages', 'drawbacks', and 'benefits'. Inappropriate word choice: 'affect' should be 'effect' in the introduction.
How to Improve
Expand vocabulary related to housing and finance by reading on the topic. Use synonyms (e.g., 'perks' instead of 'advantages', 'downsides' for 'disadvantages') and incorporate topic-specific terms like 'equity', 'landlord', 'tenancy', 'upkeep costs'. Practice correct spelling through proofreading.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
5.5
Evaluation
The essay demonstrates an attempt to use a variety of sentence structures, but grammatical errors are frequent and sometimes impede clarity. Issues with subject-verb agreement, article usage, and pluralization are evident.
Examples
Subject-verb agreement errors: 'it also have' (should be 'has'), 'if a person own' (should be 'owns'). Article omission: 'for investment purpose' (should be 'purposes'). Incorrect pluralization: 'these kind of expenses' (should be 'kinds'). Sentence fragment: 'Concluding the above discussion' is not a complete sentence.
How to Improve
Review basic grammar rules, particularly subject-verb agreement, articles, and plural forms. Practice writing complex sentences with correct punctuation. Proofread essays to identify and correct errors. Consider using grammar check tools or seeking feedback to improve accuracy.
Tip: Review the Band 9 model answer to see how a high-scoring essay structures arguments, uses advanced vocabulary, and maintains coherence throughout.
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