Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

The rapid growth of urban populations has created a serious demand for housing in large cities. Some people believe that the best solution is to construct tall apartment blocks. I partly agree with this view because high-rise buildings can provide homes efficiently, although they are not suitable for every situation.

One major advantage of building tall apartments is that they make excellent use of limited land. Large cities often have expensive land, so constructing vertically allows thousands of people to live in a relatively small area. This can also help prevent cities from expanding into surrounding villages and natural areas. For example, cities such as New York and Shanghai have successfully used high-rise residential buildings to accommodate large populations while preserving valuable land for other purposes.

However, relying entirely on tall apartment blocks can create several problems. High-density housing may result in overcrowding, traffic issues, and pressure on public services such as schools, hospitals, and public transport. In addition, some residents may find high-rise living less comfortable because they have limited private outdoor space and fewer opportunities to interact with neighbours. Buildings also have a high risk of collapse in disasters.

Therefore, I believe that tall apartment buildings should be part of a wider housing strategy rather than the only solution. Governments should combine high-rise developments with medium-rise apartments and affordable housing projects. It is also essential to provide sufficient parks, schools, public transport, and other facilities alongside new residential areas.

In conclusion, building tall apartment blocks is an effective way to provide housing in densely populated cities, particularly where land is limited.

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 successfully balanced the argument by acknowledging the benefits of high-rise buildings while highlighting the potential drawbacks, such as overcrowding and infrastructure strain. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the point about land efficiency in cities like New York and Shanghai. To reach a higher band, you could further elaborate on the 'wider housing strategy' mentioned in the fourth paragraph, perhaps by providing a specific example of a city that successfully integrates different housing types. Overall, the response is focused and directly answers the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the advantages and disadvantages is smooth, using appropriate linking phrases like 'However' and 'In addition'. Cohesive devices are used effectively to connect sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is logical, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. To improve further, ensure that the referencing within paragraphs is always precise to avoid any potential ambiguity, though your current usage is already quite strong and contributes to a natural flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task. Phrases such as 'rapid growth of urban populations', 'make excellent use of limited land', and 'wider housing strategy' are used accurately and naturally. You avoid repetition and show an ability to use topic-specific terminology. While the vocabulary is sufficient and precise, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations could elevate the score further. For instance, instead of 'serious demand', you might use 'acute demand'. Overall, the lexical control is solid and supports clear communication throughout the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional-like logic ('if... then' implied) and subordinate clauses ('although they are not suitable...', 'because high-rise buildings can...'). The grammar is generally accurate, with very few slips. Punctuation is used correctly to support the structure of your arguments. The majority of your sentences are error-free, which is a hallmark of a strong performance. To aim for a higher band, ensure that you continue to experiment with more varied sentence beginnings and complex structures while maintaining this high level of accuracy.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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