Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay: Owning vs Renting with Analysis Feedback
Sample Answer with Feedback

πŸ“… Published Apr 2026 ⏱️ 40 minutes recommended πŸ“ 311 words Β· Band 5.5
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This Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 essay explores the benefits and drawbacks of owning versus renting a home. While it meets the word count, the analysis lacks depth and contains grammatical errors that hinder clarity. Improvements in vocabulary and coherence would elevate the overall score.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Question

Advantages/ Disadvantages Β· House Ownership Β· 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.

 



5.5 Band

Overall Band Score

311 words · Advantages/ Disadvantages Β· AI Evaluated

5.5
Task Response
5.5
Coherence
5
Lexical Resource
5
Grammar

Score Breakdown

IELTS Writing Band Scores (1–9)

Task Response
5.5
Coherence and Cohesion
5.5
Lexical Resource
5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
5

Summary: The essay meets the minimum word count (311 words) and addresses the topic by presenting advantages and disadvantages of owning versus renting a home. However, the response lacks depth in analysis, uses basic and repetitive vocabulary, and contains noticeable grammatical errors. The structure is present but could be more coherent.

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Student Answer
Real submission β€’ 311 words β€’ Annotated
311 words Band 5.5 WritingPart2
● Spelling ● Grammar ● Vocabulary

Owning and renting a home both have their merits and demerits. Owning a house will help to save money in long run while renting a house will help a person from spending a lot of money at a short period of time.
Many people prefer to buy a house. Buying a home will save a person from monthly rent. In most of the cases, it was recorded that a person had to spent a big portion of his income on rent. Many struggle to afford this big amount of money. So buying a home can solve the rent problem. And It will help to save a lot of money. On the other hand, it can be beneficial economicaly. You can give rent the house to other as well, if you do not use it. However, it has some demerits as well. You have to pay a lot of money at a single time to own a house. And this process can cause financial crisis. At the same time, house owner have to pay the home tax that can cause a good amount of money.
On the other hand, some people prefer to rent a home. Owning a house is expensive so renting will save money for a short period. You will be able to change your home anytime as you need. So renting a house gives mobility. However, you have to pay a good amount of money every month for renting. And you have to abide by the rules of the owner.
Overall, owning a house looks more stable and good idea from my perception. Even though it will cost you a lot of money at a single time but you will be able to save a lot of money in the long run because you dont have to pay the rent in every month. Also it will give more freedom.

AI Feedback Report Details

Spelling Β· Grammar Β· Vocabulary Β· Criteria Analysis

Spelling Mistakes

2 errors
Misspelled Word Corrected Word
economicaly economically
dont don't

Grammatical Mistakes

16 errors
Mistake Correction Explanation
in long run in the long run Missing definite article 'the' before 'long run'
help a person from spending help a person avoid spending Incorrect preposition after 'help'; 'help' is typically followed by 'to' verb or direct object, not 'from'
at a short period of time in a short period of time Preposition error; use 'in' for periods of time
In most of the cases In most cases Unnecessary article 'the'; 'most cases' is standard
had to spent had to spend Verb form error; after 'had to', use base form 'spend' not past tense 'spent'
And It And it Capitalization error; 'it' should not be capitalized unless starting a sentence
give rent the house to other rent the house to others Incorrect word order and phrasing; 'give rent' is not idiomatic; use 'rent out' or 'lease'
cause financial crisis cause a financial crisis Missing indefinite article 'a' before 'financial crisis'
house owner have to pay homeowners have to pay Subject-verb agreement; 'owner' is singular, so 'has to pay', or use plural 'owners' for general statement
that can cause a good amount of money that can cost a significant amount of money Incorrect verb; 'cause' means to make something happen, while 'cost' refers to expense
expensive so renting expensive, so renting Missing comma before coordinating conjunction 'so'
anytime as you need whenever needed Informal and awkward phrasing; 'whenever needed' is more standard
looks more stable and good idea is more stable and a good idea Incorrect linking; should use 'is' for both adjectives or rephrase
Even though it will cost you a lot of money at a single time but you will be able to save Even though it will cost you a lot of money at once, you will be able to save Redundant conjunction 'but' after 'even though'; use 'even though' without 'but'
in every month every month Unnecessary preposition 'in'; 'every month' is correct
Also it Also, it Missing comma after introductory word 'Also'

Vocabulary Improvements

10 suggestions
Original Word/Phrase Improved Word/Phrase Explanation
big portion large portion Vague; 'big' is informal, use 'large' or 'significant' for more precise language
big amount of money large sum of money Informal; 'big' is colloquial, use 'large' or 'substantial' for formal writing
solve the rent problem eliminate rental costs Vague; 'solve the rent problem' is imprecise, 'eliminate rental costs' is more specific
good amount of money considerable amount of money Vague; 'good' is informal and imprecise, use 'considerable' or 'significant'
give rent the house rent out the house Incorrect collocation; 'give rent' is not standard English, use 'rent out' or 'lease'
house owner homeowner Less common term; 'homeowner' is the standard term for someone who owns a home
home tax property tax Incorrect term; 'property tax' is the correct term for taxes on owned real estate
cause a good amount of money cost a significant amount of money Wrong word choice; 'cause' is incorrect for financial cost, use 'cost'
looks more stable appears more stable Informal; 'looks' is casual, use 'appears' or 'seems' for more formal tone
from my perception in my opinion Incorrect phrasing; 'perception' refers to interpretation of senses, use 'opinion' for personal view

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Detailed Criteria Feedback

AI-powered analysis for each scoring criterion

Task Response 5.5
Evaluation
The essay covers the task by listing some advantages and disadvantages for both owning and renting. However, the ideas are not fully developed, and the analysis remains superficial without detailed explanation or examples.
Examples
For owning, it mentions saving money from rent and potential rental income, but does not explore long-term investment or maintenance costs. For renting, it cites mobility and monthly costs, but lacks discussion on flexibility versus lack of equity.
How to Improve
Expand each point with specific examples or consequences. For instance, explain how owning builds equity over time or how renting avoids property taxes and repair responsibilities. Ensure a balanced analysis of both sides.
Coherence and Cohesion 5.5
Evaluation
The essay has a basic structure with an introduction, body paragraphs for owning and renting, and a conclusion. However, the flow between ideas is sometimes abrupt, and paragraphing could be more logical.
Examples
The introduction is very brief. Transitions like 'On the other hand' are used, but the connection between paragraphs is weak. The conclusion introduces a personal opinion without fully summarizing the discussed points.
How to Improve
Use a clearer introduction to outline the essay's structure. Improve paragraph topic sentences and use a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'Furthermore', 'In contrast') to enhance cohesion. Ensure each paragraph focuses on a single main idea.
Lexical Resource 5
Evaluation
Vocabulary is limited and repetitive, with some spelling errors. The word choice is basic and does not demonstrate a wide range of lexical items related to the topic.
Examples
Repetitive use of 'save money', 'a lot of money', and 'merits and demerits'. Spelling errors such as 'economicaly' (should be 'economically') and 'dont' (should be 'don't').
How to Improve
Incorporate topic-specific vocabulary like 'investment', 'asset', 'flexibility', 'liability', 'maintenance costs', and 'financial security'. Use synonyms to avoid repetition and proofread for spelling accuracy.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy 5
Evaluation
Grammatical errors are frequent, and sentence structures are predominantly simple. There are issues with verb forms, subject-verb agreement, and punctuation.
Examples
Incorrect verb form: 'had to spent' (should be 'had to spend'). Subject-verb agreement error: 'house owner have to pay' (should be 'has to pay'). Missing apostrophe: 'dont' (should be 'don't').
How to Improve
Practice using complex sentences with subordinate clauses. Focus on correct verb tenses and subject-verb agreement. Proofread for common errors like apostrophes in contractions and plural forms.
πŸ’‘
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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