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)

Rapid urban migration has placed unnecessary strain on the housing infrastructure in major metropolitan cities or areas globally. Constructing high rise apartments efficiently addresses land scarcity or it can also damage the fertility of the soil. I largely disagree with the view that tall apartment blocks are the absolute best solution, as balanced urban development requires a mix of high number of housing and decentralised planning.

High rise residential buildings indisputably offer major advantages in densely populated cities where land values are high.

Vertical construction maximises limited land footprints, allowing hundreds of families to reside on a plot that would otherwise support only a few single-family homes. For instance, cities like Tokyo and Singapore have successfully utilised high-density vertical living to accommodate massive populations without expanding endlessly into surrounding rural areas. I largely disagree that tall apartment blocks are the absolute best solution, as balanced urban development requires a combination of high-density housing, decentralised suburban planning, and improved public transit.

However, prioritising high-rise developments as the primary fix presents significant drawbacks. High-rise construction involves immense capital investment, complex maintenance, and high energy consumption, which often leads to expensive luxury units rather than affordable housing for lower-income residents. Furthermore, over-concentration in central districts leads to heavy traffic congestion and strain on local infrastructure. A superior approach involves decentralizing urban growth—developing satellite towns and expanding efficient suburban rail networks. Distributing populations across satellite cities creates sustainable communities with lower housing costs and better overall livability.

In conclusion, while high-rise apartments play a vital role in tackling urban land scarcity, they are not a standalone solution. Sustainable city planning requires a balanced framework that combines high-density urban housing with decentralised development and well-integrated infrastructure.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have clearly addressed the prompt by taking a nuanced position that disagrees with the idea that tall apartment blocks are the 'best' solution. Your ideas are well-developed, particularly in the second and third paragraphs, where you contrast the benefits of high-density living with the drawbacks of infrastructure strain and cost. You successfully balance the argument by proposing an alternative approach involving decentralisation. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, ensure that you do not repeat your thesis statement verbatim in the second paragraph, as this slightly impacts the flow of your argument development.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use a range of cohesive devices such as 'For instance', 'However', and 'Furthermore' effectively to link your points. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the argument. The transition between the benefits of high-rise living and the subsequent drawbacks is handled smoothly. The structure is coherent and supports the development of your argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task. Phrases like 'urban migration', 'land scarcity', 'capital investment', and 'decentralised planning' show a strong command of topic-specific language. You use these terms with precision. While the vocabulary is effective and natural, it occasionally leans towards standard academic collocations. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate slightly more sophisticated or idiomatic academic phrasing, though your current usage is already quite strong and precise enough to convey your ideas without any ambiguity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your control of grammar is excellent. You use a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional-like structures ('...on a plot that would otherwise support...') and participial phrases ('...allowing hundreds of families to reside...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is accurate throughout. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The complexity of your sentence construction is consistent with a high level of proficiency, showing a good balance between simple and complex forms that enhances the readability of your essay.

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