Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · 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 8.5)

While it is undeniable that rapid urbanization has created severe housing shortages in major metropolitan areas, I only partially agree with the notion that constructing high-rise residential towers is the single best solution. In my view, although tall apartment buildings maximize urban space and accommodate high population densities, it is equally critical to recognize that over-relying on high-rises creates serious infrastructure challenges and impacts quality of life.

On the one hand, there is no doubt that high-rise apartments provide an efficient solution to urban land scarcity. The main driving force behind this is that vertical construction allows city planners to house thousands of residents on a relatively small footprint, optimizing expensive land. Were this approach to be ignored, urban sprawl would devour surrounding green spaces and drastically increase commuting distances. A clear case in point is dense cities like Singapore, where high-rise housing developments have successfully accommodated millions within limited territorial boundaries. Thus, this aspect of the argument is entirely valid.

On the other hand, it would be a mistake to assume that high-rise development is a complete solution on its own. This is primarily because high-density towers place immense strain on local infrastructure, including transportation networks, water supply, and waste management systems. Not only does over-relying on tall apartment blocks overload municipal utilities, but it also reduces community interaction and green space. For example, many megacities face severe traffic congestion and social isolation in districts dominated exclusively by residential towers. Hence, a more balanced perspective is required.

In conclusion, while high-rise construction offers crucial space efficiency in dense urban centers, I firmly believe that comprehensive urban planning requires a mix of housing models. Ultimately, tall apartment blocks should complement, rather than completely replace, suburban development and medium-density housing projects.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have taken a clear, balanced position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, with logical reasoning provided for both sides of the debate. For instance, you effectively contrast the space-saving benefits of vertical construction with the infrastructure and social drawbacks. The use of Singapore as a specific example strengthens your argument, and the conclusion provides a thoughtful synthesis of your points. The ideas are relevant and extended sufficiently to meet the requirements of a high band score.

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, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Hence'. The referencing is precise, and the paragraphing is used effectively to separate distinct arguments. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between sentences is clear, making the text very easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision and natural control. Phrases such as 'rapid urbanization', 'urban sprawl', 'territorial boundaries', and 'municipal utilities' show a sophisticated command of topic-specific language. The word choices are consistently appropriate for an academic context, and there are no noticeable errors in collocation or spelling. You successfully use less common lexical items to convey complex ideas, which contributes to the overall clarity and professional tone of the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and conditional forms, such as 'Were this approach to be ignored...'. The majority of sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and syntax is excellent. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The use of varied sentence lengths and structures keeps the writing engaging and demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence. The accuracy is consistent throughout the entire response, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

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