Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-13

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)

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?

It is sometimes claimed that constructing high-rise apartment buildings represents the most effective way to address housing shortages in major cities. Although this approach undoubtedly offers practical advantages, I would argue that it is only a partial solution, since it also carries significant social and environmental drawbacks.

The case in favor of tall apartment blocks rests largely on the issue of scarce land. In densely populated urban centers, where space is at a premium and construction costs are correspondingly high, building vertically enables far more dwellings to be accommodated on a limited footprint than would be possible with low-rise housing. Moreover, concentrating large numbers of residents within a compact area can make the provision of public transport, utilities, and other essential infrastructure considerably more cost-effective, since services need not be extended across a sprawling urban footprint.

Nevertheless, high-density living is not without its costs. Residents of tall apartment blocks frequently report a weaker sense of community than those in traditional low-rise neighborhood, partly because shared spaces such as gardens and streets, which naturally encourage interaction, are often absent. Such accommodation is also arguably ill-suited to families with young children, who typically benefit from direct access to outdoor play areas rather than communal facilities several floors below. Additionally, if high-rise developments are not carefully planned, they risk placing excessive strain on local infrastructure, resulting in overcrowded schools, transport networks, and health services.

Consequently, while tall apartment blocks can certainly contribute to alleviating housing shortages, I believe cities are better served by a diverse housing strategy that combines high-density developments with adequate green space and community infrastructure, rather than treating high-rise construction as a standalone solution.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt. Your position is clear from the introduction and is maintained consistently throughout the essay. You provide a balanced argument, acknowledging the benefits of high-rise buildings regarding land scarcity and infrastructure efficiency, while effectively countering with social and environmental concerns. The ideas are well-developed and supported with logical reasoning, such as the mention of community interaction and the specific needs of families. The conclusion provides a thoughtful synthesis of your position, suggesting a nuanced approach rather than a binary choice. This demonstrates a high level of task response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

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, facilitated by effective cohesive devices such as 'Moreover,' 'Nevertheless,' and 'Consequently.' The use of referencing is precise, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct arguments. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between ideas is always clear, which makes the text very easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive usage of linking words.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision and naturalness. Phrases such as 'space is at a premium,' 'sprawling urban footprint,' and 'standalone solution' show a sophisticated command of language. The collocation is generally excellent, and you avoid repetitive or basic word choices. While the vocabulary is consistently strong, it stops just short of the 'very natural, sophisticated control' required for a band 9, as there are few instances of highly idiomatic or nuanced academic collocations that would elevate the writing further. However, it is a very strong performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your control over grammatical structures is impressive. You utilize a variety of complex sentence forms, such as conditional structures and subordinate clauses, with high accuracy. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is handled correctly throughout. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The complexity of your sentence construction, combined with the high level of accuracy, places this in the top tier. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high degree of grammatical flexibility, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

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