Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-07-30

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

The best way to provide enough homes in large cities is to build tall apartment blocks.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 8.0)

In many major cities, finding housing has become a major challenge due to population growth. Some people believe that constructing high-rise apartment buildings is the most effective solution to this problem. I partly agree with this view because while tall buildings save space, they also come with certain drawbacks.

On the one hand, tall apartment blocks are very useful for solving housing shortages in densely populated cities. The main advantage is that high-rise buildings can accommodate thousands of people while using a small area of land. This allows city authorities to make efficient use of limited urban space. For example, in crowded cities like Tokyo and Hong Kong, multi-story buildings have allowed millions of residents to live comfortably near their workplaces. Furthermore, living in apartment blocks often makes public services and utilities, such as electricity, water, and transport, easier to manage.

On the other hand, relying only on tall buildings may lead to several issues. Firstly, high-rise construction requires advanced engineering and massive investment, which can make these apartments very expensive for low-income families. Secondly, living in high-density buildings can cause overcrowding, traffic congestion, and extra pressure on public infrastructure like roads and schools. Finally, some alternative solutions can also help solve the housing crisis, such as expanding suburban areas or improving transportation systems so people can commute easily from outside the city.

In conclusion, although building tall apartment blocks is an effective way to maximize space and accommodate large populations in urban areas, it is not the only solution. Governments should also consider developing suburban housing and improving infrastructure to achieve a balanced development.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position that is maintained throughout. The argument is well-developed, with the student acknowledging the benefits of high-rise buildings while balancing these against significant drawbacks like cost and infrastructure strain. The examples provided, such as Tokyo and Hong Kong, are relevant and effectively support the main points. The conclusion provides a balanced summary that aligns with the initial thesis. The ideas are extended sufficiently to meet the requirements of the task, demonstrating a clear understanding of the topic and a logical approach to the discussion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the benefits and drawbacks is smooth, facilitated by appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion'. The use of referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is used effectively to separate distinct arguments. The flow of information is natural, and the reader can easily follow the writer's line of reasoning from the introduction to the final recommendation.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'densely populated', 'urban space', 'infrastructure', and 'balanced development'. While the vocabulary is accurate and conveys meaning clearly, it lacks the 'less common' or 'sophisticated' lexical items that would push the score into the 8.0+ range. However, there are no errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication, and the language used is natural and precise enough for the context of an academic essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the use of conditional and concessive clauses (e.g., 'although building tall apartment blocks is... it is not the only solution'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout. While the range of structures is solid, it does not consistently display the high level of flexibility or complexity required for the highest band, but the control over the structures used is very good, with only rare, minor slips.

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