Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

Nowadays, the population of large cities is increasing rapidly, and providing enough homes for everyone has become a major challenge. Some people believe that building tall apartment blocks is the best solution to this problem. I partly agree with this statement because high-rise buildings can provide homes for many people, but they should not be the only solution.

On the one hand, tall apartment buildings can be an effective way to provide accommodation for a large number of people. In big cities, land is limited and extremely expensive. Therefore, instead of building houses on a large area of land, governments and construction companies can build apartments vertically. For example, one tall building can provide homes for hundreds of families while using a relatively small piece of land. This can also help protect land for parks and other important facilities.

However, relying completely on tall buildings can create some problems. Living in a crowded apartment block may not be suitable for everyone, especially large families and elderly people. In addition, if too many high-rise buildings are constructed in one area, it may lead to traffic congestion and put pressure on public services such as water, electricity and transport. Therefore, governments should also develop smaller cities and improve housing facilities outside major urban areas.

In conclusion, I believe that tall apartment blocks are an important solution to the housing shortage in large cities because they can accommodate many people in a limited space. However, governments should not depend only on high-rise buildings and should consider other solutions to provide better living conditions for people.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, maintaining a clear position throughout. You acknowledge the benefits of high-rise buildings while providing a balanced view by highlighting potential drawbacks like infrastructure strain and suitability for specific demographics. The ideas are relevant and logically extended, such as the mention of land preservation versus the pressure on public services. To reach a higher band, you could further develop the 'other solutions' mentioned in the conclusion, perhaps by briefly suggesting decentralisation or urban planning strategies, which would provide a more comprehensive exploration of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is well-organised with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is logical. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand', 'However', and 'In addition', which help guide the reader through your argument. The referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate. The flow is smooth, and the transition between the benefits and the limitations of high-rise living is handled well, ensuring the reader can easily follow your line of reasoning.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'accommodate many people', 'traffic congestion', and 'public services' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is appropriate and conveys your meaning clearly, it remains somewhat functional. To achieve a higher score, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items, such as 'urban sprawl', 'high-density housing', or 'infrastructure capacity', to show greater flexibility and a more academic tone. The spelling is accurate throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use complex sentences effectively, for instance, 'Therefore, instead of building houses on a large area of land, governments and construction companies can build apartments vertically.' The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly to support the structure of your arguments. The control over verb tenses and subject-verb agreement is consistent. To improve further, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences or passive voice constructions, to enhance the sophistication of your writing.

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