Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-14

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 7.0)

Nowadays, the population is increasing rapidly, and as a result, many people are leaving rural areas and moving to cities in search of better opportunities. People often migrate to urban areas for better education, well-paid jobs, improved business opportunities, and a higher standard of living. Some individuals also believe that cities can provide better facilities and help them fulfil their personal and financial needs. In my opinion, the increasing movement of people from rural areas to urban areas is a positive development because it provides greater opportunities for education, employment, and personal growth. This essay will discuss the main reasons for this trend and explain why I agree with this state me,

One major advantage of building tall apartment blocks is that they can provide accommodation for a large population in a relatively small area. Land in large cities is often expensive and limited, so constructing vertically is more practical than developing large numbers of houses horizontally. For example, a single high-rise building can contain hundreds of apartments, whereas the same number of individual houses would require a much larger area of land. Therefore, high-rise housing can help governments deal with population growth and reduce pressure on available land.

Another benefit is that apartment blocks can be developed close to public transport, workplaces, schools, and other essential facilities. This can make people's daily lives more convenient and reduce the need for long-distance travel. For instance, if residential towers are built near metro stations and commercial areas, residents can travel to work or access essential services more easily. This may also reduce traffic congestion and pollution caused by excessive use of private vehicles.

However, relying entirely on tall apartment blocks may create some disadvantages. High-density housing can lead to overcrowding, noise, and a lack of privacy if buildings are poorly planned. In addition, some people prefer living in houses with gardens and private outdoor spaces, particularly families with children. Therefore, cities should not depend exclusively on high-rise buildings. A combination of apartment blocks, low-rise housing, and well-planned suburban developments may provide a more comfortable and sustainable solution.

In conclusion, I largely agree that constructing tall apartment blocks is one of the most effective ways to provide sufficient housing in large cities. They make efficient use of limited land and can accommodate many people close to essential services. Nevertheless, governments should combine high-rise development with other forms of housing to create balanced, comfortable, and sustainable cities

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have addressed the prompt effectively, providing a clear position that is maintained throughout the essay. You balanced the argument by acknowledging the benefits of high-rise living while also considering potential drawbacks like overcrowding and the need for diverse housing options. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the points regarding land efficiency and proximity to infrastructure. However, the introduction contains a slight irrelevance; you spend the first half discussing rural-to-urban migration, which is not the focus of the prompt. While this does not derail the essay, focusing more directly on the 'tall apartment blocks' aspect from the start would have made the response more concise and focused.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, and you use cohesive devices such as 'Another benefit', 'Therefore', and 'Nevertheless' to guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the transition between the advantages and the counter-argument is smooth. The referencing is clear, and the overall structure supports the development of your position. To reach a higher band, ensure that the opening paragraph is more tightly linked to the specific question asked, rather than providing general background information on urbanization.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases like 'high-density housing', 'sustainable solution', and 'essential facilities' show a solid command of topic-specific language. You use vocabulary with sufficient precision to convey your meaning clearly. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items to demonstrate a wider range, such as using 'urban sprawl' or 'vertical densification' to add more academic flair to your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your grammar is generally strong, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use conditional sentences ('if residential towers are built...') and modal verbs effectively to express your arguments. The punctuation is accurate, and the sentence construction is generally error-free. There is a minor typo in the introduction ('state me' instead of 'statement'), but this is a rare slip and does not affect the overall clarity of your writing. The majority of your sentences are error-free, which demonstrates a high level of control over your grammatical structures.

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