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 rapid growth of urban populations has created an increasing demand for housing in major cities. Some people argue that constructing tall apartment buildings is the most effective solution to this problem. I largely agree with this view because high-rise housing makes efficient use of limited urban land, although it should be accompanied by careful planning and investment in infrastructure.

The strongest argument in favor of high-rise apartments is that they allow cities to accommodate large numbers of people without expanding their boundaries. Land in major urban centers is extremely scarce and expensive, so constructing houses horizontally requires substantial areas of land that could otherwise be used for parks, public facilities or commercial purposes. By building vertically, developers can provide hundreds of homes on a relatively small plot. This approach is particularly valuable in densely populated cities such as Singapore, where high-rise residential developments have enabled large numbers of people to live close to employment centers and essential services.

However, relying exclusively on tall buildings could create significant problems. High-density developments can place considerable pressure on public transport, roads, schools, hospitals and other essential infrastructure if population growth is not accompanied by adequate investment in these services. Moreover, poorly designed high-rise neighborhoods may provide residents with limited access to green space and can contribute to social isolation. For this reason, governments should adopt a broader housing strategy that combines apartment blocks with medium-density developments and well-planned suburban communities. Such an approach would allow cities to increase their housing supply while maintaining a reasonable quality of life.

In conclusion, I agree that tall apartment buildings are one of the most effective ways of providing sufficient housing in large cities, primarily because they make economical use of scarce land. Nevertheless, they should not be regarded as a complete solution. A successful urban housing policy must combine vertical development with adequate infrastructure, green spaces and other forms of residential construction.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

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 ideas are well-developed, particularly the argument regarding land scarcity and the counter-argument concerning infrastructure pressure. You provide a balanced view by acknowledging the necessity of tall buildings while also highlighting the importance of urban planning and green spaces. The use of Singapore as a specific example strengthens your argument and demonstrates a good understanding of the topic. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your main points, ensuring the response is cohesive and directly answers the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme: the introduction sets the stage, the second paragraph focuses on the benefits of vertical development, the third addresses the drawbacks and necessary conditions, and the final paragraph provides a balanced conclusion. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'The strongest argument in favor of', 'However', 'Moreover', and 'For this reason', which guide the reader smoothly through your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the relationship between ideas is clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the academic context. Phrases such as 'efficient use of limited urban land', 'densely populated cities', 'significant pressure', and 'urban housing policy' show a high level of control. The word choice is precise and natural, contributing to the overall clarity of your argument. There are no noticeable errors in collocation or spelling, and you successfully incorporate topic-specific terminology without forcing it. The vocabulary is sophisticated enough to meet the requirements for a high band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'although it should be accompanied by...', 'if population growth is not accompanied by...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and verb tenses is excellent. You use a variety of sentence lengths and structures, which keeps the writing engaging and fluent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and the overall accuracy is very high, reflecting a strong command of English grammar.

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.