Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-16

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)

As population of larger cities is likely to grow, providing sufficient housing has become a major challenges. Some people argue that constructing tall apartment blocks is the best solution because they can accommodate many people in a limited area. I largely agree with this view, although I believe that high-rise buildings should be combined with other forms of housing and proper urban planning.

One major advantage of tall apartment buildings is that they make efficient use of limited land. In large cities, available land is often expensive and scarce, so constructing houses horizontally requires a considerable amount of space. High-rise buildings, on the other hand, can provide hundreds of homes on a relatively small plot of land. For example, cities such as Singapore and Hong Kong have successfully used high-rise residential buildings to accommodate large populations while preserving land for roads, parks and other public facilities.

Another benefit is that apartment blocks can help reduce urban expansion. If more people can live in well-planned residential towers close to workplaces and public services, cities may not need to spread further into surrounding agricultural or natural areas. In addition, when high-density housing is located near public transport, residents may rely less on private cars, which can reduce traffic congestion and pollution.

However, building tall apartments is not a perfect solution. High-rise developments can create overcrowding and may reduce people's sense of privacy and community if they are poorly designed. They can also place significant pressure on infrastructure such as water supply, electricity, schools and public transport. Furthermore, some families may prefer houses with gardens and more private outdoor space, particularly those with children.

In conclusion, I agree to a large extent that constructing tall apartment blocks is one of the most effective ways to provide sufficient housing in large cities because it makes better use of limited land and can reduce urban sprawl. Nevertheless, governments should ensure that these developments are supported by adequate infrastructure, green spaces and public services rather than relying on high-rise buildings alone.

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, which is maintained consistently throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, particularly the points regarding land efficiency and the reduction of urban sprawl. You also provide a balanced view by acknowledging the potential drawbacks of high-rise living, such as infrastructure pressure and privacy concerns. The use of examples like Singapore and Hong Kong effectively supports your claims. The ideas are relevant and extended, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.

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. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'on the other hand', 'in addition', and 'furthermore', which help guide the reader through your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The flow is natural, and the relationship between ideas is always clear, demonstrating a high level of control over the structure of the essay.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task. Phrases like 'efficient use of limited land', 'urban expansion', and 'high-density housing' show a strong command of topic-specific language. There is some flexibility in your word choice, and you avoid repetitive language. While the vocabulary is accurate and natural, it occasionally lacks the sophisticated, idiomatic precision that would characterize a band 9 response. However, the range is more than sufficient to convey complex ideas clearly and precisely, and there are no errors in word choice that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses ('If more people can live...') and concessive clauses ('although I believe...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is strong. There is a minor grammatical slip in the opening sentence ('a major challenges'), but this is an isolated error that does not affect the overall clarity of your writing. Your grammar is generally accurate, and you show a good ability to manage complex structures without losing control of the sentence syntax.

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

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