Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The best way to provide as much homes to meet the requirements is by building tall apartment blocks which utilizes more homes in a small area. It is not only the best way but it is the most practical way of providing space for enough homes because if the homes would be constructed in a large open area it uses more space and a large number of forest land would be utilized in this case.
Now a days, the amount of land is decreasing for agriculture and wildlife because it is being utilized for constructing homes due to increasing population and building tall apartment blocks could be a great solution to overcome this problem because hundreds of people can live in a single building which covers less than half the size of a town which can accommodate fifty homes.
On the other hand, constructing large towns instead of buildings would cover a lot more space also causes a lot more traffic than a single building that accommodates the same amount of homes and the rest of the excess land could be utilized for agricultre or as a garden.
In my opinion, it is the best way to solve the problem of increasing demand of houses due to over-population. I had also used to live in an apartment building and I think it was as comfortable as a house yet saving a lot of land for other purposes. There were also a lot of amenities provided by the faculty like security, 24/7 electricity, etc.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses the prompt by taking a clear position in favor of tall apartment blocks. The ideas are relevant, focusing on land conservation and urban density. However, the development is somewhat limited. While you mention environmental benefits and amenities, the arguments could be extended with more specific examples or deeper analysis of the social implications. The response is just over the minimum length, which restricts the depth of the discussion. To improve, ensure that each paragraph fully explores the 'why' and 'how' of your arguments rather than just stating them.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, each with a clear focus. There is a basic progression of ideas from the introduction to the conclusion. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat repetitive and mechanical. For instance, the transition 'On the other hand' is used correctly, but other links between sentences are often missing or simplistic. Referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences could be smoother. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each sentence connects logically to the previous one would enhance the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks sophistication. You use basic terms like 'big' or 'large' repeatedly, and there are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'faculty' to refer to building management or amenities. While the meaning is generally clear, there is little attempt to use less common or idiomatic language. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise collocations and academic vocabulary related to urban planning, such as 'urban sprawl,' 'high-density housing,' or 'sustainable development.'
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors, such as 'as much homes' (should be 'as many homes'), 'Now a days' (should be 'Nowadays'), and 'I had also used to live' (should be 'I used to live'). These errors are noticeable but do not generally impede communication. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, correct preposition usage, and refining your control over verb tenses. Increasing the variety of complex structures while ensuring accuracy will help you achieve a higher score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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