Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

In many rapidly growing cities, housing shortages have become a serious concern, and some people believe that the most effective solution is to construct tall apartment blocks. I largely agree with this view, although I believe high-rise housing should be combined with careful urban planning rather than treated as a complete solution on its own.

The strongest argument is in the support of tall apartment buildings is that they make highly efficient use of limited urban land. In major cities, space is often scarce and extremely expensive, so spreading houses horizontally can lead to urban sprawl, longer commutes, and the destruction of surrounding farmland or green areas. By contrast, high-rise apartments can accommodate thousands of residents within a relatively small area. For example, a single residential tower can provide homes for far more families than a row of detached houses occupying the same plot of land.

Another advantage is that dense housing can support better public services. When many people live close together, it becomes easier and more economical to provide public transport, schools, hospitals, shops, and recreational facilities. This can reduce dependence on private cars and create more convenient, sustainable surroundings. If apartment blocks are well designed, with shared gardens, safe entrances, and communal spaces, they can also encourage social interaction rather than isolation.

However, simply building tall blocks is not enough. Poorly planned towers may create overcrowded, impersonal environments, especially if they lack natural light, ventilation, green space, or access to essential services. Therefore, governments must ensure that high-rise housing is affordable, safe, and integrated into the wider city.

In conclusion, tall apartment blocks are one of the best ways to address urban housing shortages because they save land and support efficient services. Nevertheless, their success depends on thoughtful design and proper infrastructure.

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 that while high-rise buildings are an efficient solution, they must be supported by thoughtful urban planning. The ideas are well-developed, with logical arguments regarding land efficiency and the provision of public services. The counter-argument regarding the potential for impersonal environments is well-integrated, showing a balanced perspective. The response is consistently focused on the task throughout, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your main points. The development of ideas is logical and relevant to the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, starting with the efficiency of land use, moving to the benefits for public services, and finally addressing the necessity of proper planning. Cohesive devices such as 'By contrast', 'Another advantage', and 'Therefore' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall flow of the argument. There is a clear sense of structure, and the transition between the benefits and the necessary conditions for success is smooth and natural.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases such as 'rapidly growing cities', 'urban sprawl', 'economical to provide', and 'integrated into the wider city' show a strong command of topic-specific language. The vocabulary is used with precision, and there are no significant errors in word choice or collocation. While the range is sufficient and effective, it could be pushed further into more sophisticated or nuanced territory to reach the highest band, but it is certainly strong and natural throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'If apartment blocks are well designed, with shared gardens...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense is excellent. There are no noticeable grammatical slips that impede communication. The use of both simple and complex structures is balanced, contributing to a fluent and professional tone. The accuracy is high, and the writing is consistently clear and easy to follow.

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

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