Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-01
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)
In many large cities, the population is increasing, and there is a high demand for housing. Some people believe that building tall apartment blocks is the best solution to this problem. I partly agree with this opinion because high-rise buildings can provide more homes, but they should not be the only solution.
On the one hand, tall apartment buildings are an effective way to solve the housing shortage. They allow many families to live in the same area, which helps save land. This is especially important in large cities where space is limited and land is expensive. In addition, people living in apartment blocks are often close to schools, hospitals, shopping centres, and public transport. As a result, they can enjoy a more convenient lifestyle.
On the other hand, building only tall apartment blocks may create other problems. If too many people live in one area, traffic congestion, noise, and pollution may increase. Moreover, some families prefer living in houses with gardens because they offer more privacy and outdoor space. Therefore, governments should also develop suburban areas and improve public transport so that people can live outside the city centre while travelling easily to work.
In conclusion, I believe that tall apartment blocks are an important way to provide enough homes in large cities. However, they should be combined with other housing solutions to create better living conditions for everyone. In my opinion, a balanced approach is the most effective way to meet the growing housing demand. This will help cities develop in a more organised and sustainable way.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position of partial agreement from the introduction. The ideas are relevant and logically developed, with the first body paragraph focusing on the benefits of high-rise living and the second addressing the drawbacks and alternative solutions. The argument is well-supported with clear reasoning, such as the mention of land scarcity and the need for suburban development. The position is maintained consistently throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesises the main points. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific examples or data to further extend the arguments.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'In addition', and 'Moreover'. The use of referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate for the structure of the argument. The flow of information is natural, and the reader can easily follow the writer's line of reasoning. The cohesive devices are used effectively without being mechanical, contributing to a coherent overall response.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
The vocabulary is sufficient for the task and allows for some flexibility in expression. The student uses relevant topic-specific vocabulary such as 'housing shortage', 'urban', 'suburban areas', and 'sustainable'. While the range is adequate, it is somewhat standard. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation that impede meaning. To achieve a higher band, the student should aim to incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items, such as 'high-density housing', 'urban sprawl', or 'infrastructure', to demonstrate a more precise and varied command of the language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The grammar is generally accurate, with most sentences being error-free. The use of complex structures, such as conditional sentences ('If too many people live in one area...') and relative clauses, is handled well. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. While there are no major errors, the range of complex structures could be further expanded to show greater flexibility. The current level of accuracy is high, and the occasional minor slips do not interfere with the clarity of the message.
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