Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-11

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)

The rapid pace of urbanisation has precipitated an unprecedented housing crisis in major metropolitan areas globally. While some argue that constructing high-rise residential complexes is the definitive remedy to this shortage, others advocate for alternative urban planning strategies. In my view, while building upward is an indispensable strategy for dense urban centers, it cannot be the sole solution and must be complemented by the development of satellite towns.

On the one hand, vertical construction is the most pragmatic approach to address housing shortages within geographically constrained cities. High-rise apartment blocks drastically increase residential density, allowing thousands of citizens to live on a minimal land footprint. This efficiency is critical in megacities like Tokyo or New York, where vacant land is virtually non-existent and astronomically expensive. Furthermore, consolidating housing vertically allows municipal governments to optimize public infrastructure. High-density zones make the provision of public transport, sewage, electricity, and waste management far more cost-effective and logistically viable than servicing sprawling suburban landscapes.

On the other hand, relying exclusively on tall residential towers creates distinct socio-economic and structural challenges. Hyper-dense vertical living can severely strain local amenities, leading to overcrowded schools, congested roads, and a depletion of green spaces, which ultimately degrades the inhabitants' quality of life. Therefore, a comprehensive housing strategy must include regional decentralisation. By establishing well-connected satellite towns and investing in efficient high-speed transit networks, governments can incentivize businesses and residents to relocate away from the urban core. This horizontal expansion effectively diffuses population pressure, offering a more sustainable, long-term solution than simply packing more people into central high-rises.

In conclusion, I agree to a large extent that building tall apartment blocks is the most efficient method to counter urban accommodation shortages due to land constraints. However, to prevent urban decay and infrastructure collapse, this approach must be integrated into a broader framework that prioritizes regional decentralisation and the development of peripheral towns.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, particularly the discussion on infrastructure efficiency in the second paragraph and the socio-economic drawbacks in the third. You have successfully balanced the argument by acknowledging the necessity of high-rise buildings while proposing a nuanced alternative through satellite towns. The ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples, such as Tokyo and New York, which demonstrates a high level of task engagement and logical development.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the benefits of vertical construction and the limitations of such an approach is smooth. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Furthermore', 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Therefore', which guide the reader through your argument without being mechanical. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary. Phrases such as 'precipitated an unprecedented housing crisis', 'geographically constrained', 'logistically viable', and 'regional decentralisation' show a high level of lexical control and precision. The collocations are natural and appropriate for an academic context. There are no noticeable errors in word choice, and the vocabulary is used with flexibility to convey complex ideas effectively. This level of lexical resource is consistent with a high band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of complex grammatical structures with high accuracy. You use a variety of sentence types, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and well-placed participial phrases (e.g., 'allowing thousands of citizens to live...'). Punctuation is used correctly to enhance readability. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and aspect is excellent. There are no significant grammatical slips, and the writing is fluent and professional throughout.

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

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