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)

It is often argued that high-rise apartment buildings should be constructed in large cities to accommodate the growing population and make better use of limited land. I agree with this view because tall residential buildings can house a large number of families while using less land and providing adequate living facilities.

One major advantage of high-rise apartments is that they can accommodate many families in a relatively small area. This is particularly important in densely populated cities, where land is expensive and increasingly scarce. For example, when I lived in an apartment building in Saudi Arabia, I observed that a single floor could contain four or five separate apartments. Therefore, a large number of people could live in the same building without requiring a large area of land. This approach can also prevent the unnecessary expansion of cities into surrounding areas.

Another benefit is that high-rise buildings can provide residents with comfortable and well-designed living spaces. Modern apartments usually contain several rooms, kitchens, bathrooms and balconies, allowing families to carry out their daily activities conveniently. In addition, buildings with large windows and appropriate ventilation systems can provide fresh air and natural light. As a result, residents can enjoy a healthier and more comfortable environment.

Furthermore, the land saved by constructing vertically can be used for other important purposes. For instance, the surrounding space can be developed into parks, schools, healthcare facilities, shops and recreational areas. This can improve the overall quality of life in densely populated urban communities. High-rise buildings can also create economic opportunities because commercial facilities such as offices, restaurants and educational centres can be established within or around them.

In conclusion, I strongly support the construction of high-rise apartments in large cities. They can accommodate a greater number of people, conserve valuable land and provide residents with convenient and comfortable living conditions. Therefore, vertical development is an effective solution to the housing challenges faced by modern cities

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 and maintained it throughout the essay. Each paragraph introduces a distinct, relevant argument—land efficiency, living quality, and urban planning benefits—which are well-supported with logical explanations and a personal example. The ideas are extended sufficiently to meet the requirements of the task. To reach a higher band, you could consider briefly acknowledging the opposing view (e.g., potential social isolation or infrastructure strain) to provide a more nuanced, balanced discussion, although this is not strictly required given your clear stance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the flow between paragraphs is smooth, aided by appropriate cohesive devices such as 'One major advantage', 'Another benefit', and 'Furthermore'. Referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is used effectively to separate distinct points. The structure is coherent, and the reader can easily follow your line of reasoning from the introduction to the conclusion. The use of linking words is natural and not overly mechanical.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'densely populated', 'increasingly scarce', 'unnecessary expansion', and 'vertical development' show a good command of topic-specific language. While the vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for the context, it is generally functional rather than highly sophisticated. To move into the higher bands, try to incorporate more idiomatic expressions or less common collocations that demonstrate a more flexible and nuanced control of the English language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional-like structures ('where land is expensive and increasingly scarce') and participial phrases ('allowing families to carry out their daily activities'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The writing is clear and professional. To achieve a higher score, ensure you continue to experiment with a wider variety of complex grammatical forms, such as passive voice constructions or inversion, to further showcase your range.

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

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