Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-17

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)

It is an undeniable fact that providing enough accommodation is a major issue in large cities. Some people believe that the best solution is to construct tall apartment buildings. I partly agree with this statement because high-rise buildings can provide more homes in limited spaces, but other housing solutions are also necessary.

To embark with the advantages of building tall apartment blocks, the foremost benefit is that they can accommodate a large number of people in a small area. As cities become more crowded, there is often not enough land available to construct individual houses. Therefore, high-rise apartments can make better use of limited land and provide affordable accommodation for many families. Moreover, building apartments close to the city centre can reduce travelling time for workers and students because they can live nearer to their workplaces and educational institutions.

However, we seldom give a thought to the disadvantages of depending only on tall buildings. Firstly, living in high-rise apartments may not be suitable for everyone, especially families with children who may prefer gardens and open spaces. Secondly, if too many apartment blocks are constructed in one area, it can put pressure on public services such as roads, schools, hospitals and public transport. For this reason, governments should also develop suburban housing, improve public transportation and create suitable facilities for residents. For example, new residential areas with houses, schools and parks can reduce the pressure on city centre.

The inexorable demand for housing must be addressed; nevertheless, observing the finer nuances and keeping the needs of residents in mind, I believe that building tall apartment blocks is an effective way to provide homes in large cities, but it should not be considered the only solution. A balanced approach involving high-rise apartments, suburban housing and improved public facilities would be the most effective way to meet the growing demand for accommodation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a balanced position in the introduction and maintaining it throughout. The arguments regarding land efficiency and proximity to services are well-developed. The counter-arguments concerning family needs and infrastructure pressure are also relevant and logically extended. The conclusion effectively synthesises the main points, confirming the 'partly agree' stance. The ideas are consistently relevant to the prompt, and the response demonstrates a clear understanding of the task requirements, providing a well-supported argument that explores both sides of the issue before reaching a balanced conclusion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the advantages and disadvantages is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'To embark with', 'Moreover', 'However', and 'For this reason' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. While some transitions are slightly formulaic, the overall structure is coherent and easy to follow. The referencing is clear, and the relationship between ideas is consistently logical throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and generally precise. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'accommodation', 'high-rise apartments', 'suburban housing', and 'inexorable demand'. There is an attempt to use less common collocations like 'finer nuances' and 'undeniable fact'. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it lacks the level of sophistication or idiomatic flair required for the highest band scores. However, the word choice is consistently appropriate for the context, and there are no significant errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good control of a variety of complex structures. Sentences are generally error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly. The student successfully employs complex sentences with subordinate clauses, such as 'As cities become more crowded, there is often not enough land available to construct individual houses.' There are very few grammatical slips, and the control over tense and agreement is consistent. The range of structures is sufficient to convey complex ideas clearly, and the overall accuracy is high, meeting the criteria for a strong performance in this area.

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