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 provision of adequate housing has become a major challenge in many rapidly growing cities. Some people argue that the most effective solution is to construct high-rise apartment buildings. I largely agree with this view, as vertical development can accommodate a large population while making efficient use of limited urban land, although it should be combined with other housing strategies.

The principal advantage of tall apartment blocks is their ability to provide a substantial number of homes without requiring vast areas of land. As cities expand and land prices increase, constructing houses horizontally becomes increasingly impractical. High-rise buildings, on the other hand, allow hundreds of families to live on a relatively small plot. This can also help prevent uncontrolled urban sprawl, which often results in longer commuting distances and the loss of agricultural or natural land. For example, densely populated cities such as Singapore have made extensive use of high-rise residential developments to accommodate their growing populations within a limited land area.

However, I do not believe that building taller apartments alone is sufficient. If poorly planned, high-density housing can create overcrowding, inadequate public services and excessive pressure on roads and public transport. Furthermore, not everyone wants to live in a high-rise building, particularly families who may prefer houses with gardens and greater privacy. Therefore, governments should adopt a broader approach by developing affordable low-rise housing in suitable areas, converting unused buildings into residences and improving transport infrastructure so that people can live farther from city centres without facing excessive commuting times.

In conclusion, although tall apartment blocks are arguably one of the most efficient ways to address housing shortages in large cities, they should not be regarded as a stand-alone solution. A combination of high-density development, affordable housing and effective urban planning would provide a more sustainable answer to the problem.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt. Your position is clear from the introduction, where you state that you 'largely agree' while acknowledging the need for a balanced approach. You provide strong, relevant arguments for high-rise development, such as land efficiency and the prevention of urban sprawl, and support these with a concrete example (Singapore). Furthermore, you demonstrate critical thinking by discussing the potential drawbacks of high-density living, such as overcrowding and infrastructure pressure. The ideas are well-developed and logically extended throughout the essay, 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 advantages of high-rise buildings and the necessary caveats is smooth. You make effective use of cohesive devices such as 'The principal advantage,' 'On the other hand,' 'Furthermore,' and 'In conclusion,' which guide the reader through your argument without being repetitive or mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion, ensuring the structure is clear and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'vertical development,' 'uncontrolled urban sprawl,' 'stand-alone solution,' and 'sustainable answer' show a good command of topic-specific language. Your word choice is precise, and you avoid repetition. There are no noticeable errors in spelling or collocation, and the language used is natural and sophisticated enough to convey your points effectively. You have successfully used less common lexical items to enhance the quality of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your writing displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'As cities expand and land prices increase, constructing houses horizontally becomes increasingly impractical'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and verb tenses is excellent. You use a variety of sentence types, which keeps the flow of the essay engaging. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and the overall accuracy is very high, consistent with the requirements for a high band score.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.