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)

Some people believe that building tall apartment blocks is the best way to provide enough housing in large cities. I completely agree with this statement because such apartments can accommodate many families while reducing the need for unnecessary construction to address housing shortages.

Tall apartment blocks provide sufficient space for families and are generally more affordable to rent than large houses. Depending on their size, these buildings can accommodate more than 30 families, which can help reduce the housing crisis in densely populated cities. They are particularly beneficial for working-class families, as most people in large cities look for homes that are both affordable and spacious enough for their needs. A good example can be seen in major cities in China and Singapore, where high-rise apartments are common. Thousands of people move to these cities in search of employment and live in such buildings, allowing urban land to be used more efficiently.

Moreover, constructing high-rise apartments reduces the need to build separate houses across a city because these buildings can accommodate a much larger number of people. This allows governments to use land and financial resources for other important purposes, such as transportation, security and public recreational facilities, which can improve people's overall quality of life. It can also reduce some of the environmental damage caused by widespread construction. For instance, in Singapore, the government encourages people to live in high-rise residential buildings that often provide facilities such as security, shops, gyms and recreational spaces. At the same time, this approach allows the country to preserve open and green spaces instead of replacing them with houses.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that constructing tall apartment blocks is one of the most effective ways to reduce housing shortages in large cities. They provide affordable accommodation for a large number of families while reducing the need for excessive construction and allowing governments to use urban land and resources more efficiently.

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 ideas are well-developed, with specific arguments regarding urban efficiency, land management, and quality of life. The inclusion of examples from China and Singapore effectively supports the main points. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion reinforces the initial stance. The response covers all parts of the task well, providing a logical progression of ideas that directly answers the 'to what extent' component of the question.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover,' 'For instance,' and 'At the same time' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of the argument is easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, and the overall structure supports the development of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for the academic context. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'densely populated,' 'urban land,' 'financial resources,' and 'environmental damage.' While the vocabulary is functional and precise, it lacks a high degree of sophistication or idiomatic flair that would characterize a band 9 response. However, the range is sufficient to convey complex ideas clearly, and there are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'Depending on their size, these buildings can accommodate more than 30 families, which can help reduce the housing crisis...' The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly throughout. While the grammatical range is solid, it does not consistently display the high level of flexibility or complexity required for a band 8 or 9. Nevertheless, the control is strong, and errors are virtually non-existent.

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

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