Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · 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 8.5)

While constructing high-rise apartment blocks is a effective strategy to address housing shortages in major cities, I partially disagree that it is the single best approach. High-density residential towers maximize land efficiency, but a multi-pronged urban strategy incorporating suburban expansion and satellite towns is far more sustainable long-term.

The strongest argument in favor of tall apartment blocks is their ability to accommodate thousands of residents within a small geographic footprint. In densely populated megacities where land costs are astronomical and available space is scarce, building vertically is essential. High-rise developments allow city planners to preserve precious urban land for commercial activities, public parks, and transit infrastructure. Furthermore, centralized high-density housing reduces commute times and energy consumption by allowing residents to utilize public transit systems rather than relying on private vehicles.

However, relying solely on high-rise residential towers creates significant urban challenges. Massive population concentration in compact areas places extreme stress on existing municipal infrastructure, often resulting in traffic congestion, overloaded sewage systems, and strained power grids. Additionally, high-rise living can lead to psychological isolation and a decreased quality of life due to the lack of green spaces and community areas. Over-reliance on apartment towers can also drive up construction and maintenance costs, making units unaffordable for low-income residents.

A more effective alternative involves a combination of high-density vertical building and horizontal urban expansion. Developing well-connected satellite towns and improving transit networks to suburban regions distributes the population more evenly. Encouraging mixed-use, medium-density developments—such as mid-rise apartments and townhouse complexes—provides diverse housing options while preserving community cohesion and manageable density levels.

In conclusion, although tall apartment blocks play a crucial role in tackling housing shortages in space-constrained cities, they are not the sole or superior solution. A balanced approach combining high-rise buildings with suburban infrastructure development ensures healthier, more affordable, and sustainable urban living.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses the prompt by taking a clear, nuanced position that high-rise buildings are effective but not the sole solution. The argument is well-developed, with the first body paragraph detailing the benefits of vertical density and the second paragraph providing a balanced counter-argument regarding infrastructure and social impacts. The conclusion synthesizes these points effectively. The ideas are extended and supported with relevant reasoning, such as the mention of 'astronomical' land costs and the 'psychological isolation' associated with high-density living. The response demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of urban planning, meeting all requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the benefits of high-rise living and the subsequent challenges is handled smoothly using the cohesive device 'However'. The use of linking words such as 'Furthermore', 'Additionally', and 'In conclusion' is natural and effective. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, supporting arguments, counter-arguments, and the final summary. The flow of information is seamless, and the relationship between ideas is always clear, which is characteristic of a high-level response.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

The vocabulary is precise, sophisticated, and used with a high degree of naturalness. The student employs academic collocations such as 'multi-pronged urban strategy', 'geographic footprint', 'municipal infrastructure', and 'mixed-use, medium-density developments'. There is a clear awareness of style and collocation, and the range of vocabulary is wide enough to discuss complex urban planning issues with precision. There are no noticeable errors in word choice, and the language used is consistently appropriate for an academic essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay demonstrates a wide range of complex structures, including conditional-like reasoning and sophisticated subordinate clauses (e.g., 'In densely populated megacities where land costs are astronomical...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation and syntax is excellent. The use of participial phrases, such as 'incorporating suburban expansion', adds to the fluency of the writing. There are no significant grammatical errors, and the sentence variety keeps the reader engaged throughout the text.

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