Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-08

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)

Building tall apartment blocks is the most practical and efficient way to address the severe housing shortages facing large cities today. As urban populations continue to grow rapidly, the demand for housing far outpaces the available land. The primary advantage of vertical development is its unmatched space efficiency. By building upward rather than outward, cities can accommodate thousands of residents on a relatively small geographic footprint that would otherwise only support a few single-family homes. This high-density approach is crucial for preserving surrounding green spaces and preventing the negative environmental consequences of suburban sprawl.

Furthermore, concentrating residents in high-rise buildings allows municipal governments to provide essential public services and infrastructure much more effectively. Public transit networks, water lines, electricity grids, and waste management systems can be centralized, reducing both installation costs and daily energy consumption. Additionally, living in tall apartment blocks places residents closer to employment hubs, schools, healthcare facilities, and cultural centers, which fosters vibrant, walkable communities and reduces dependency on personal vehicles.

However, this urban strategy does come with notable challenges. High-rise living can lead to issues with noise, overcrowding, and a lack of privacy due to shared walls and communal areas. If municipal planning is weak, sudden influxes of residents can overwhelm existing roads, public parks, and emergency services. Despite these drawbacks, the benefits of vertical construction heavily outweigh the limitations. Tall apartments reduce per-unit land costs, making housing more affordable for young professionals and low-income families who would otherwise be priced out of the city center. When combined with smart engineering and robust infrastructure investment, building tall apartment blocks remains the absolute best long-term solution to ensure sustainable, accessible, and adequate housing for the world's expanding urban populations.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses the prompt by taking a clear position in favor of tall apartment blocks. The arguments are well-developed, focusing on space efficiency, environmental benefits, and the centralization of public services. The counter-argument regarding potential social and planning challenges is acknowledged and effectively refuted, which demonstrates a sophisticated approach to the task. The ideas are extended with relevant examples and logical reasoning, meeting all the requirements of the prompt. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion provides a strong summary of the writer's stance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, starting with the benefits of vertical development, moving to infrastructure advantages, and finally addressing potential drawbacks before concluding. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'Additionally', and 'Despite these drawbacks' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the relationship between ideas is clear and easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The vocabulary is precise and well-suited to the academic context. The writer demonstrates a good range of topic-specific terminology, such as 'vertical development', 'geographic footprint', 'suburban sprawl', and 'infrastructure investment'. The use of collocations is natural and accurate, contributing to the overall fluency of the essay. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling, and the language used is sophisticated enough to convey complex ideas clearly and effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and varied clause types. The control over grammar is excellent, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of information. The writer demonstrates a high level of accuracy, with no significant errors that would impede communication or distract the reader. The sentence variety, ranging from simple statements to more intricate compound-complex structures, is well-managed.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.