Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-20

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)

Nowadays, skyscrapers are quite popular in several countries. They are considered an effective way to use limited space in megacities with high population density. I completely disagree with the statement that building tall apartment blocks is the best way to provide enough homes in large cities. Although they can accommodate a large number of people, they may negatively affect their quality of life.

On the one hand, there are several benefits of constructing tall apartment buildings. First, they can provide homes for a large number of individuals in a limited area. Therefore, governments can use the remaining land to develop other essential amenities, such as shopping malls, public parks, schools, hospitals, and public transportation. Moreover, the cost of land per housing unit may decrease, making apartments more affordable for middle-class families. For example, vertical apartments are often more affordable than individual houses in megacities such as Mumbai and Delhi.

On the other hand, people may have to compromise on several aspects of their lives. The first concern is quality of life. Crowded residential areas may increase pollution and reduce people’s personal space. In addition, high-rise apartments often have limited space for gardening and outdoor activities. Furthermore, skyscrapers require a large amount of money to construct and maintain. The construction process can also create considerable noise and air pollution, which can negatively affect people living near construction sites.

However, with proper urban planning, governments can develop a combination of medium-rise apartments and other forms of housing. This approach could provide sufficient accommodation while also giving residents access to green spaces and a better quality of life.

In conclusion, although tall apartment blocks can provide housing for a large number of people and make efficient use of limited land, I do not believe they are the best solution on their own. A balanced approach involving medium-rise buildings, green spaces, and proper urban planning would make large cities more comfortable and sustainable places to live.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response clearly addresses the prompt by taking a firm position against the idea that tall apartment blocks are the 'best' solution. The argument is well-developed, with the first body paragraph acknowledging the benefits of vertical housing, such as land efficiency and affordability, while the second paragraph provides a balanced counter-argument regarding quality of life and environmental impact. The conclusion effectively synthesizes these points to propose a more nuanced alternative. The ideas are relevant and supported by examples like Mumbai and Delhi, demonstrating a clear understanding of the task requirements. The position is consistent throughout the essay.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Moreover', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, and referencing is clear throughout. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between the ideas is easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for an academic task. The student uses topic-specific terminology such as 'megacities', 'population density', 'urban planning', and 'sustainable'. There is an attempt to use less common items, and the word choices are generally precise. While the range is adequate, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic expressions to reach the highest band. However, there are no significant errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication, and the tone remains formal and objective throughout.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the use of conditional-like structures and subordinate clauses ('Although they can accommodate...', 'This approach could provide...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is used correctly. While the grammar is accurate, the range of complex structures is somewhat standard. To achieve a higher score, the student could experiment with more varied sentence patterns, such as inversion or more advanced passive constructions, to demonstrate greater flexibility.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.