Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

The Best Way to Provide Enough Homes in Large Cities

The rapid growth of urban populations has created a serious shortage of housing in many large cities. Some people believe that the most effective solution is to construct tall apartment blocks. I largely agree with this view because high-rise buildings can accommodate a large number of people while making efficient use of limited land. However, other housing solutions should also be considered.

The main advantage of building tall apartment blocks is that they can provide accommodation for a huge number of residents in a relatively small area. Land in major cities is often extremely expensive and limited, so constructing houses on individual plots is not an efficient use of space. By building upwards, governments and developers can create thousands of homes without expanding cities into surrounding farmland or natural areas. Furthermore, high-rise developments can be built near public transport, schools and workplaces, which can reduce commuting times and traffic congestion.

However, relying entirely on apartment blocks may create certain problems. High-density living can lead to overcrowding, noise and a lack of privacy. In addition, poorly planned high-rise neighbourhoods may not provide sufficient parks, schools, hospitals and recreational facilities. Therefore, governments should ensure that new apartment complexes are supported by appropriate infrastructure and green spaces. Other alternatives, such as affordable housing projects and the redevelopment of unused buildings, can also contribute to solving the housing shortage.

In conclusion, I strongly agree that constructing tall apartment buildings is one of the best ways to provide sufficient housing in large cities because it makes efficient use of limited land and can accommodate many people. Nevertheless, it should not be the only solution, and high-rise developments must be combined with proper infrastructure and other forms of affordable housing.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses the prompt by clearly stating a position of 'largely agree' and maintaining this throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, particularly the focus on land efficiency and infrastructure needs. The student provides a balanced view by acknowledging potential drawbacks like overcrowding and the need for supporting facilities, which adds depth to the discussion. All parts of the task are covered, and the ideas are relevant and logically extended. The conclusion effectively synthesizes the main points, reinforcing the student's nuanced stance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, starting with the introduction of the topic, followed by the benefits, potential drawbacks, and a summary. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'However', 'In addition', and 'Therefore' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is smooth, making the argument easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for an academic context. The student uses a good range of topic-specific terminology such as 'urban populations', 'high-density living', 'infrastructure', and 'redevelopment'. The collocations are natural, for example, 'reduce commuting times' and 'efficient use of limited land'. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the task well, it does not consistently reach the level of 'sophisticated' or 'uncommon' lexical items required for the highest band, but it is certainly sufficient for a high score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a high level of grammatical control. There is a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional-like structures ('If... then' implied) and relative clauses ('which can reduce...'). The punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over verb tenses and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the text.

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