Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
Some people think that the best way to solve this problem is to build tall buildings blocks. I agree partially with the statement because apartments provides many houses whereas, other types of housing are also important.
On the other hand, first the tall buildings are good solutions for large cities and shortage of housing or land. In other words, there are provide homes for many families in a small area. This is important because land is limited and expensive in cities. For example, the survey conducted by the National building department of India in 2019 revealed 80% individuals prefer live in apartments because of people do not afford expensive houses. As a result, tall buildings built in small land.
Second, apartment buildings can be built near public transport, schools and hospitals, making daily life more convenient for residents. It is also help people save time or money such as transportation costs.
On the other hand, building only tall apartments can create some problems. High-rise buildings can become overcrowded and may reduce green spaces. In addition, some families prefer houses with gardens because they provide more privacy and space. Therefore, governments should also build houses in suitable areas outside crowded city centres.
In conclusion, I partly agree that tall apartment blocks are an effective way to provide more homes in large cities. However, I believe that a mixture of apartments and houses is a better solution for meeting the different needs of people.
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 and maintains a clear position throughout. However, the essay is under the 250-word minimum requirement, which limits the depth of development. While the main ideas—land efficiency and convenience versus overcrowding and lack of privacy—are relevant, they are somewhat briefly explained. The conclusion effectively summarizes the balanced view. To reach a higher band, you should expand on your supporting arguments with more detailed examples or analysis to ensure the word count is met and the ideas are fully explored.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, each with a clear focus. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'first', 'second', 'in addition', and 'in conclusion' to guide the reader. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the flow between sentences could be smoother. For instance, the transition between the benefits of tall buildings and the drawbacks could be more sophisticated. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and there is a clear progression of ideas from the introduction to the conclusion.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to express your ideas clearly. You use topic-specific terms like 'public transport', 'shortage of housing', and 'city centres'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are occasional errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'tall buildings built in small land' (should be 'on small plots of land') and 'apartments provides' (subject-verb agreement). To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic collocations and avoid repetitive phrasing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text. Examples include 'apartments provides' (subject-verb agreement), 'there are provide' (incorrect verb form), and 'people do not afford' (should be 'cannot afford'). Additionally, there are minor punctuation and phrasing issues, such as 'tall buildings built in small land'. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focus on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and verb tense consistency.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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