Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-24

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)

In my opinion, rapid urbanization has made affordable housing a critical challenge in major cities. While I agree that high-rise apartment blocks are a highly effective solution due to their ability to maximize space, I believe they must be combined with other urban planning strategies to be fully effective.

On the one hand, building vertically is essential in metropolis areas where land is extremely scarce and expensive. High-rise developments allow city planners to house thousands of families on a relatively small land footprint. This prevents urban sprawl, protecting natural surroundings and agricultural land outside the city. Furthermore, high-density residential blocks make public transport systems more viable. For example, cities like Singapore have successfully utilized tall public housing complexes linked directly to mass transit, allowing millions of citizens to access affordable housing and convenient daily commutes.

On the other hand, relying solely on tall buildings presents clear disadvantages. High-rise construction requires advanced engineering, making construction and long-term maintenance very costly. Furthermore, over-concentrating residents in tall towers can strain local infrastructure, leading to traffic congestion and overcrowded schools if services are not expanded alongside the buildings. Therefore, alternative approaches like medium-density townhouses and transit-oriented suburban developments are necessary to balance urban growth and maintain a high quality of life.

In conclusion, while I agree that tall apartment blocks play a crucial role in addressing urban housing shortages by saving space, they are not the sole solution. A successful city housing strategy must integrate high-rise buildings with medium-density housing and well-connected suburban hubs.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction, arguing that while high-rise buildings are effective, they are not the sole solution. The ideas are well-developed, with specific arguments regarding land scarcity and infrastructure strain. The inclusion of the Singapore example provides relevant support for your position. The response is balanced, exploring both the benefits of vertical expansion and the necessity of alternative planning strategies. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your argument, ensuring the position is maintained throughout the essay.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the benefits and drawbacks is smooth, facilitated by effective cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', and 'Therefore'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural, making the argument easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, and the overall structure is highly coherent.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You have used a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which allows for precise expression. Phrases such as 'rapid urbanization', 'land footprint', 'urban sprawl', and 'transit-oriented' demonstrate a sophisticated command of topic-specific language. The word choices are accurate and appropriate for an academic context. There are no noticeable errors in collocation or spelling. The vocabulary is not only sufficient for the task but also contributes to the professional and persuasive tone of the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and varied sentence beginnings. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation is excellent. You have successfully used modal verbs and conditional-like structures to express nuanced opinions. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The accuracy is high, and the variety of structures used demonstrates a strong command of English grammar suitable for a high-band score.

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