Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-28

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)

As the population of major cities continues to grow, providing enough housing has become a serious challenge. Some people believe that building tall apartment blocks is the best solution. I partly agree because high-rise buildings can house many people while using less land, but I believe other types of housing are also necessary.

The main advantage of high-rise apartments is that they make efficient use of limited urban land. In large cities, land is often expensive and difficult to obtain. Building vertically allows thousands of people to live in a relatively small area, leaving more space for roads, parks and other facilities. For example, Singapore has successfully used high-rise housing to accommodate its growing population despite having limited land. In addition, apartments near workplaces and public transport can reduce commuting times and reliance on private cars.

However, depending too heavily on tall buildings can cause problems. Large residential complexes may put pressure on infrastructure such as water supplies, electricity and public transport. If these services are not developed alongside new housing, overcrowding and poor living conditions may occur. Furthermore, families with young children may prefer houses with gardens and open spaces rather than living in high-rise apartments.

Therefore, governments should adopt a balanced approach. High-rise buildings should be constructed in areas where land is scarce and population density is high, but they should be combined with medium-rise apartments, affordable housing and well-planned suburban communities. At the same time, governments should invest in public transport, schools, healthcare and green spaces.

In conclusion, tall apartment blocks are an effective way to provide housing because they use limited land efficiently. Nevertheless, they should not be considered the only solution. A mixture of high-rise and lower-density housing, supported by good infrastructure and public services, is more likely to meet the needs of growing 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 ('I partly agree') and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, with the first body paragraph focusing on the efficiency of land use and the second highlighting the potential infrastructure and social drawbacks. The use of Singapore as a specific example adds weight to your argument. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position, advocating for a balanced approach rather than a singular solution. The ideas are relevant and logically extended, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the benefits and drawbacks is smooth, facilitated by effective cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'However', and 'Furthermore'. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the argument. Referencing is clear throughout, and the flow of information is natural, making the text easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, demonstrating a sophisticated command of discourse markers.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases such as 'efficient use of limited urban land', 'accommodate its growing population', and 'population density' are used accurately and appropriately in context. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it could be elevated further by incorporating more sophisticated or less common collocations to reach the highest band. However, the current level is precise, and there are no errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication or cause confusion for the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses ('If these services are not developed...') and subordinate clauses ('As the population of major cities continues to grow...'). The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to support the structure of your arguments. There are no significant grammatical slips that distract the reader, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the piece, reflecting a high level of proficiency.

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

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