Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-07-31

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 7.5)

A general statement regarding the construction of tall apartment blocks as the most optimal method of providing sufficient shelter in big cities is widely debated. I agree with this statement, as high-rise buildings make the best use of the surface area available in the city and tend to be more cost-effective.

It is known that taller buildings make the best use of cities' ground surface areas. This is achieved by using less ground space that would otherwise be used for many other necessary civilian facilities. Moreover, many popular metropolitan cities have utilized this method in providing housing for their citizens, such as Shanghai in China and New York City in the United States. Another crucial reason many governments prefer this architectural strategy is because having vertically larger buildings fits more flats for people to live in than a standard shorter apartment building by making use of the rather empty area above the ground.

Another reason this statement holds merit is because of the efficiency benefits gained from using taller structures. Having individual large apartments is far more financially effective than building multiple smaller buildings and houses. Building resources such as steel or cement are typically sold at a cheaper price when purchased in bulk. For this reason, corporations and government entities end up maximizing their profits compared to other well known construction methods.

To conclude, I agree with the statement that supports the building of taller constructions for the purpose of housing the population. This strategy is of great efficiency, especially when it comes to financial statistics and clever planning for future structures.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response7.5
Coherence and Cohesion7.5
Lexical Resource7.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy7.5
Overall7.5

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have clearly addressed the prompt and maintained a consistent position throughout the essay. You provided relevant reasons for your agreement, such as land efficiency and cost-effectiveness, and supported these with examples like Shanghai and New York. The ideas are well-developed, although the explanation regarding 'financial statistics' in the conclusion is slightly vague. To reach a higher band, ensure that every point is fully explored with specific detail; for instance, you could have elaborated on how tall buildings specifically impact the quality of life or infrastructure demands in cities to provide a more balanced and comprehensive argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use cohesive devices such as 'Moreover,' 'Another crucial reason,' and 'For this reason' to connect your ideas. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the flow between sentences could be smoother. The referencing is generally clear, but ensure that pronouns or linking phrases are used to create a more natural, sophisticated progression of ideas rather than relying on a standard list-like structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'metropolitan,' 'architectural strategy,' and 'cost-effective.' While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, it lacks the sophistication and precision required for higher bands. There are some instances of slightly repetitive or less precise word choices, such as 'vertically larger buildings' or 'empty area.' To improve, try to incorporate more academic collocations and less common lexical items that demonstrate a more nuanced understanding of the topic.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, and your grammar is generally accurate. Most sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is handled well. There are occasional minor slips, such as 'fits more flats for people to live in,' which could be phrased more naturally as 'accommodates more residential units.' While your control is good, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited. Incorporating a wider variety of subordinate clauses and passive constructions would help demonstrate greater flexibility and control over your writing.

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