Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-26

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)

While it is undeniable that rapid urbanization has created severe housing shortages in major metropolitan areas, I only partially agree with the notion that constructing high-rise residential towers is the single best solution. In my view, although tall apartment buildings maximize urban space and accommodate high population densities, it is equally critical to recognize that over-relying on high-rises creates serious infrastructure challenges and impacts quality of life.

On the one hand, there is no doubt that high-rise apartments provide an efficient solution to urban land scarcity. The main driving force behind this is that vertical construction allows city planners to house thousands of residents on a relatively small footprint, optimizing expensive land. Were this approach to be ignored, urban sprawl would devour surrounding green spaces and drastically increase commuting distances. A clear case in point is dense cities like Singapore, where high-rise housing developments have successfully accommodated millions within limited territorial boundaries. Thus, this aspect of the argument is entirely valid.

On the other hand, it would be a mistake to assume that high-rise development is a complete solution on its own. This is primarily because high-density towers place immense strain on local infrastructure, including transportation networks, water supply, and waste management systems. Not only does over-relying on tall apartment blocks overload municipal utilities, but it also reduces community interaction and green space. For example, many megacities face severe traffic congestion and social isolation in districts dominated exclusively by residential towers. Hence, a more balanced perspective is required.

In conclusion, while high-rise construction offers crucial space efficiency in dense urban centers, I firmly believe that comprehensive urban planning requires a mix of housing models. Ultimately, tall apartment blocks should complement, rather than completely replace, suburban development and medium-density housing projects.

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 for a balanced approach rather than a singular solution. The ideas are well-developed, with the first body paragraph focusing on the benefits of space efficiency and the second on the infrastructure and social drawbacks. The use of Singapore as a specific example strengthens your argument. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position, ensuring the response remains focused and relevant throughout. The development of ideas is logical and consistent with the requirements of an academic essay.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a logical progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, and the transition between the benefits and drawbacks is smooth, facilitated by effective cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Hence'. The use of referencing is precise, and the paragraphing is managed appropriately to structure the argument. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between sentences is clear, making the text easy to follow throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision. Phrases such as 'rapid urbanization', 'urban sprawl', 'territorial boundaries', and 'municipal utilities' show a sophisticated command of topic-specific language. The word choices are natural and contribute to the academic tone of the essay. There are no noticeable errors in collocation or word choice, and the vocabulary is used effectively to convey nuanced arguments regarding urban planning and infrastructure.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and conditional forms, such as 'Were this approach to be ignored, urban sprawl would devour...'. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used accurately to support the clarity of your arguments. There is a high level of control over complex structures, and the grammatical accuracy is consistent throughout the piece. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high degree of grammatical competence.

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