Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-30

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, many large cities are considering building tall apartment blocks to provide enough homes for their growing populations. I agree with this view because tall buildings can provide more homes while using less land.

Tall apartment blocks can provide many homes in a small area. This is because many families live in the same building. For example, a tall building can have many apartments for different families. Therefore, this can help large cities provide more homes for their growing populations.

However, another reason is that tall buildings can save land and can be close to schools, shops, and workplace. This is because people can live near these places and do not have to travel long distances. For example, if a family needs to go to a hospital in an emergency, tghey can reach it quickly if it is located near their apartment. This can also help people avoid long journeys and traffic.

In conclusion, I believe that tall building can save land and provides easy access to schools and shops. Therefore, they can make life easier for people living in large cities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, reaching only 182 words. This significantly impacts the development of ideas. While you clearly state your position in the introduction, the supporting arguments are underdeveloped. For instance, the point about proximity to amenities is mentioned but not explored with sufficient depth or complexity to meet the requirements for a higher band. To improve, you must expand your arguments by providing more detailed explanations and perhaps a counter-argument or a more nuanced discussion of the challenges associated with high-rise living to ensure the response is fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Therefore', and 'For example' to link ideas. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat repetitive, particularly in the conclusion, which largely restates the introduction without adding new insight. The use of cohesive devices is functional but mechanical. To reach a higher band, you should aim for a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph flows more naturally into the next, rather than relying on simple sentence-level transitions.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision required for a higher score. You rely on basic, repetitive terms such as 'tall buildings', 'homes', and 'large cities'. There is little evidence of less common lexical items or idiomatic language. While your word choice does not impede communication, it is quite simplistic. To improve, you should incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary related to urban planning and housing, such as 'high-density residential developments', 'urban sprawl', or 'infrastructure'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'tall building can save land and provides' (subject-verb agreement) and the typo 'tghey'. You also tend to use repetitive sentence patterns. To improve, focus on ensuring subject-verb agreement and proofreading for minor slips. Additionally, try to incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences or passive voice, to demonstrate greater control over your writing.

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

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