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Cambridge IELTS 11 · Test 4 · Band 8

Cambridge IELTS 11 Test 4 — Band 8 model essay

185 words · 11 sentences · IELTS Writing Task 2

Writing Task 2 prompt

Some people think homesickness is a positive thing. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

有人认为思乡是一种积极的情感。你在多大程度上同意或反对?

Band 8 model answer

The question of whether whether homesickness can be considered a positive feeling is widely debated in modern society. While homesickness can produce genuine distress, especially in the early stage of migration or study, I am convinced that it can still be psychologically constructive when transformed into reflection and motivation.

The most compelling reason is that longing for home reveals the depth of belonging that ordinary life often hides. This matters because distance may make people understand the value of family rituals, local language, and familiar landscapes. Moreover, this awareness can strengthen identity rather than weaken independence. These effects can continue to influence individuals and communities beyond the immediate situation.

Admittedly, nostalgia becomes damaging when it romanticises the past and blocks present engagement. Yet this weakness can be reduced if people maintain meaningful contact while deliberately forming new routines. Furthermore, a balanced approach would allow memory to nourish adaptation instead of replacing it.

On balance, homesickness is positive when it becomes a bridge between identity and growth. Provided that those rules are consistently enforced, this approach offers a stronger and more sustainable answer to the issue.

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Frequently asked questions

How many words should an IELTS Writing Task 2 essay be?

IELTS Writing Task 2 requires a minimum of 250 words. This Cambridge IELTS 11 Test 4 model answer is 185 words, comfortably above the minimum without padding.

What makes this a Band 8 IELTS essay?

A Band 8 answer fully addresses the task with well-supported ideas, a wide and natural range of vocabulary, skilful cohesion and very rare errors.

How do I use this model essay to improve my IELTS writing?

Read the model to see how a high-band answer is structured and argued, then practise typing it on Typehush to build the speed and accuracy the computer-based IELTS Writing test demands.