Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-25

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 5.5)

The biggest issue that arises in modern days is the need to build efficient space homes for everyone. Many people argue that the best way to provide enough homes in large cities is to build tall apartment blocks however some people have different opinions which contradict this idea.

Tall buildings have a lot of floors and can efficiently and conveniently manage the living space for many. these apartments are modern, up to date and has every facility needed to build a luxurious home. it also has a breathtaking view of the surrounding area. People can benefit themselves as these apartments are fully equipted and are cost friendly too. These provide less maintenance charges and are convenient due to less responsibility and care.

However a significant amount of people believe that there are many disadvantages of living in apartments also. These apartments do not have a good parking spot and personal lawns where greenery is seen. Privacy issues may arise due to living in the same place. Some people are also height phobic which arises further problems. The apartments are also the first to collapse during and earthquake which has greater loss. Some people also believe that apartments are not and ideal place for families as you cannot chose your neibours.

So there are a lot of things discussed within this essay, but i firmly believe that its advantages outweighs the disadvantages caused. Due to densely populated cities it is important to manage the living of all according to the liking, affordability and convenience.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The essay addresses the prompt and maintains a clear position throughout. However, the development of ideas is somewhat superficial. For instance, the argument regarding earthquake safety is mentioned but not explained or supported with evidence. The points made about 'cost-friendly' living and 'privacy' are relevant but lack depth. To reach a higher band, you should expand on your arguments by providing specific examples or logical consequences. While you cover both sides of the argument, the discussion remains at a general level, which limits the overall impact of your response. Ensure that each point is fully explored to demonstrate a more sophisticated understanding of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of your argument. You use basic cohesive devices like 'However' and 'So' to link ideas. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes mechanical, and the use of cohesive devices is limited. For example, the transition between the benefits and drawbacks could be smoother. Additionally, some sentences are short and choppy, which affects the overall coherence. To improve, try to use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that your sentences are connected more fluidly to create a more cohesive piece of writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have an adequate range of vocabulary to convey your meaning, such as 'efficiently', 'conveniently', and 'densely populated'. However, there are several spelling errors (e.g., 'equipted' instead of 'equipped', 'neibours' instead of 'neighbours') and some word choice issues, such as 'efficient space homes' and 'cost friendly'. These errors do not generally impede communication, but they do prevent you from reaching a higher band. To improve, focus on using more precise academic vocabulary and double-check your spelling of common words. Expanding your range of collocations will also help you express your ideas with greater sophistication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While you attempt complex sentences, there are frequent grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('these apartments... has every facility') and missing articles. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of commas after introductory phrases. While these errors rarely impede communication, they are frequent enough to lower the score. To improve, focus on mastering subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles. Additionally, try to vary your sentence structure further by incorporating more complex clauses to demonstrate greater control over your grammar.

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

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