Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-31

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)

The best way to provide enough homes in large cities is to build tall apartment blocks. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

The rapid growth of urban populations has created a significant demand for housing in large cities. Some people believe that constructing tall apartment blocks is the most effective solution to this problem. I partly agree with this view, as high-rise buildings can provide housing efficiently, although other approaches are also necessary.

On the one hand, building tall apartment blocks has several clear advantages. The most important benefit is that they can accommodate a large number of people within a relatively small area. Since land in major cities is often expensive and limited, constructing vertically allows governments and developers to make better use of available space. Furthermore, high-rise apartments can be built close to workplaces, schools and public transport systems. This can reduce commuting distances and potentially ease traffic congestion. For example, a well-planned residential tower near a metro station could house hundreds of families without requiring large areas of land.

On the other hand, relying entirely on high-rise buildings may create several problems. Large apartment complexes can become overcrowded and may place considerable pressure on infrastructure such as roads, water supplies and electricity. In addition, residents may have limited access to private gardens and open spaces, which can negatively affect their quality of life. Therefore, cities should also consider alternative forms of housing, such as medium-rise apartments, suburban developments and affordable housing projects. These options can provide homes while creating a more balanced urban environment.

In conclusion, I believe that tall apartment blocks are an effective way of increasing the housing supply in densely populated cities, but they should not be considered the only solution. A combination of high-rise and other well-planned housing developments would be the most practical approach.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses the prompt by taking a clear, balanced position. You have explored both the advantages of high-rise living, such as space efficiency and proximity to infrastructure, and the potential drawbacks, including overcrowding and lack of green space. The ideas are well-developed and supported with logical reasoning. The conclusion effectively synthesises your arguments, maintaining a consistent stance throughout. To reach a higher band, you could provide more specific real-world examples beyond the hypothetical 'well-planned residential tower' to further strengthen the depth of your analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised 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 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', and 'In addition'. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the argument. The use of referencing is precise, ensuring that the reader can easily follow the flow of your logic. The structure is professional and supports the development of your argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic context, such as 'urban populations', 'accommodate', 'infrastructure', and 'densely populated'. The word choice is generally accurate and natural. While the vocabulary is sufficient and precise, it lacks a few more sophisticated or 'less common' lexical items that would elevate the response to a higher band. However, there are no errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication, and the language used is consistently appropriate for the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional and concessive clauses (e.g., 'Since land in major cities is often expensive...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is strong. There are no significant grammatical errors that distract the reader. To achieve a higher score, you could incorporate a wider range of advanced grammatical structures, such as inversion or more varied passive constructions, to demonstrate even greater flexibility.

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

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