Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-27

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)

Nowadays, providing enough homes in large cites is a big problem. Some people believe that building a tall apartment blocks is a good solution to this problem. I totally agree with the statement and discuss my viewpoints in upcoming paragraph.

To begin with, there are several reason to built large apartments in large cities. Firstly, there is limited land area in large cities and cannot provide enough homes to people. Therefore, the best way is to built tall flats instead of home , because it help people to reach office on time and travelling . Secondly, apartments are near the workplace and offices. For example, a survey had conducted by government showed that large apartments covered small area and is less expensive. Hence , living near workplace in tall apartments is best way.

However, building tall flats is not the only solution to overcome the problem. Rural people cannot afford expenses of apartments in large cities. In other words, they cannot adjust according to city environment because most children prefer to live in open house with gardens. Also, building more flats may create difficulties such as crowded places and traffic. For instance, a study showed that building too much apartments cause overcrowding. Hence, cities should built houses or apartment according to individuals preference.

In conclusion, instead of proving enough homes in large cities is to built tall apartment block because it occupy limited area . However, many people face difficulty living in such flats because they love to live in open areas. Although, it cause problems such as traffic , expenses cost and overcrowding.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses the prompt by taking a position, but the development of ideas is inconsistent. While you mention land scarcity and proximity to workplaces, the arguments are somewhat repetitive and lack depth. For instance, the point about rural people not adjusting to city life is relevant but is not clearly linked to the core question of whether tall buildings are the 'best' way to provide homes. Furthermore, the conclusion contradicts your introduction by suggesting that cities should build according to individual preference, which weakens your stated position. To improve, ensure each paragraph focuses on a single, well-supported idea that directly reinforces your thesis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate. For example, the transition 'In other words' is used to introduce a new point rather than restate a previous one. Additionally, the logical flow between sentences is sometimes disrupted by grammatical errors, making the progression of ideas feel disjointed. The conclusion is particularly problematic as it introduces a summary that does not logically follow from the preceding arguments. Using a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'nevertheless') more accurately would improve the overall flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. You frequently use simple terms like 'big problem', 'good solution', and 'best way'. There are also some issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'a survey had conducted' (should be 'was conducted') and 'expenses cost'. To reach a higher band, you should aim to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary and collocations related to urban planning, such as 'high-density housing', 'urban sprawl', or 'infrastructure development'. Expanding your range will help you express your ideas with greater sophistication and clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The essay contains a high frequency of grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. Common issues include subject-verb agreement ('a study showed that building too much apartments cause'), article usage ('the best way is to built'), and tense consistency. There is a limited range of complex structures, and the attempts made often contain errors, such as 'instead of proving enough homes in large cities is to built'. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, specifically ensuring that subjects and verbs agree and that verb forms are used correctly after infinitives and prepositions. Proofreading for these recurring errors is essential.

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

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