Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-18

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)

As the population of large cities continues to grow, providing adequate housing has become a major challenge. Some people argue that constructing tall apartment buildings is the most effective solution to this problem. I largely agree with this view because high-rise housing can accommodate more people while efficient use of limited urban land.

One major advantage of tall apartment blocks is that they allow a large number of people to libe in relatively small area. Land in major cities is usually expensive and scares, so building houses horizontally can lead to urban sprawl and the loss of valuable land. In contrast, high-rise buildings can provides hundreds of homes on a single plot . For examples , cities such as singapore have developed numerous high-density residential areas , enabling a growing population to live within a limited geographical space . therefore , vertical development can be an efficient way of addressing housing shortages.

Another important benefit is that high-rise developments can reduce pressure on surroundings areas and make public services easier to provide . When residential buildings are concentrated in well- planned areas , governments can establish public transport , schools, shops and other facilities more efficiently . Furthermore, apartment living can be more affordable for some residents because the cost of land and infrastructure can be shared among many households. However, high-rise construction should be carefully planned, as overcrowding, limited green spaces and a lack of privacy can negatively affect residents quality of life.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that building tall apartment blocks is one of the best ways to provide sufficient housing in densely populated cities . Nevertheless, governments should combine vertical development with adequate green spaces, public facilities and effective urban planning to create comfortable and sustainable communities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, maintaining a clear position throughout. You have provided relevant arguments regarding land efficiency and infrastructure, supported by a specific example (Singapore). The ideas are well-developed, though the conclusion could have been slightly more nuanced by explicitly addressing the 'to what extent' aspect. You have successfully balanced the benefits of high-rise living with a brief acknowledgment of potential drawbacks, which adds depth to your argument. Overall, the response is well-focused and meets the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you have used cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'Furthermore', and 'Nevertheless' to link your points effectively. However, there are some minor issues with punctuation and spacing, such as the extra spaces before commas (e.g., 'For examples ,', 'therefore ,'). While these do not impede communication, they slightly affect the flow. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the transition between the benefits and the necessary considerations for high-rise living is handled smoothly.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision. Phrases like 'urban sprawl', 'high-density residential areas', and 'vertical development' are used appropriately. There are a few minor errors, such as 'libe' (live) and 'scares' (scarce), which appear to be slips rather than a lack of vocabulary knowledge. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items to express your ideas with greater nuance. Overall, the vocabulary is adequate and conveys your meaning clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You show a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several instances of grammatical errors, such as 'efficient use of limited urban land' (missing a verb or preposition), 'can provides' (subject-verb agreement error), and 'residents quality of life' (missing possessive apostrophe). Despite these errors, the meaning is always clear, and the mistakes do not significantly impede communication. To improve, focus on proofreading for subject-verb agreement and consistent use of articles and possessives. The range of structures is sufficient for a Band 6.5 or 7.0 level.

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