Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-19

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 rapid growth of urban populations has created a serious shortage of housing in many large cities. Some people believe that the best solution is to construct tall apartment blocks. I largely agree with this view because high-rise buildings can accommodate many people while using limited land, although they should not be the only solution.

One major advantage of tall apartment blocks is that they make efficient use of land. In large cities, available land is often expensive and limited. Instead of building many separate houses across a wide area, developers can construct high-rise buildings and provide homes for hundreds of families on a relatively small piece of land. This can also reduce urban expansion and help protect farmland and natural areas outside cities. For example, cities such as Singapore and Hong Kong have successfully used high-rise housing to accommodate large populations.

However, there are some disadvantages to relying entirely on apartment blocks. Very tall buildings can become overcrowded and may place pressure on public services such as roads, schools and hospitals. In addition, residents may have limited access to gardens and open spaces, which can negatively affect their quality of life. Therefore, cities should combine high-rise apartments with parks, public transport and other community facilities.

In conclusion, I strongly agree that building tall apartment blocks is an effective way to provide enough housing in large cities. Nevertheless, governments should adopt a balanced approach and ensure that high-density housing is supported by suitable infrastructure and green spaces. Therefore, I believe that high-rise housing is one of the most practical solutions to the growing demand for homes, provided that it is developed responsibly and with the needs of residents in mind.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses the prompt by taking a clear position and supporting it with relevant arguments. You acknowledge the benefits of high-rise buildings, such as land efficiency and urban containment, while also providing a balanced view by discussing the potential drawbacks like overcrowding and lack of green space. The ideas are well-developed and logically extended, particularly the mention of Singapore and Hong Kong as real-world examples. The conclusion reinforces your stance while acknowledging the need for responsible planning, which demonstrates a sophisticated approach to the task. You have covered all parts of the prompt effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the introduction sets the scene, the second paragraph discusses advantages, the third addresses counter-arguments, and the final paragraph provides a summary. Cohesive devices such as 'One major advantage', 'In addition', 'However', and 'Nevertheless' are used effectively to guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the response. The transition between the benefits and the limitations is smooth, ensuring the essay flows well from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic context. Phrases like 'urban populations', 'efficient use of land', 'urban expansion', and 'high-density housing' show a strong command of topic-specific language. The word choice is generally precise and natural. While the vocabulary is effective, it could be elevated further by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items to reach the highest band. However, the current range is sufficient to convey your ideas with precision and clarity throughout the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses ('provided that it is developed...') and concessive clauses ('although they should not be the only solution'). The grammar is highly accurate, with very few, if any, errors. Punctuation is used correctly to manage sentence flow. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over complex structures is consistent. This level of accuracy and range is indicative of a high-performing candidate who can communicate complex ideas with ease.

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