Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-02

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 8.0)

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?

As the population of large cities continues to grow, providing sufficient housing has become a major challenge. Some people believe that constructing tall apartment blocks is the best solution to this problem. I partly agree with this view because high-rise buildings can accommodate many people in a limited area, but I believe they should not be the only solution.

On the one hand, building tall apartment blocks has several significant advantages. The main benefit is that they allow cities to house a large number of people without using too much land. This is particularly important in crowded urban areas, where land is expensive and limited. For example, instead of constructing hundreds of houses across a large area, a single high-rise building can provide accommodation for many families. In addition, high-density housing can reduce the need for people to live far from city centres, which may shorten commuting times and reduce traffic congestion.

On the other hand, relying mainly on high-rise buildings can create a number of problems. Large apartment blocks may lead to overcrowding and can put considerable pressure on public services such as schools, hospitals, roads and public transport. Furthermore, some people prefer living in houses with private outdoor spaces, especially families with young children. If cities focus entirely on high-rise apartments, residents may have fewer opportunities to enjoy gardens, parks and quieter neighbourhoods. Therefore, simply building taller buildings does not necessarily create a better living environment.

In my opinion, the most effective approach is to use a combination of different types of housing. Tall apartment buildings should certainly be constructed in areas where land is scarce, but governments should also develop medium-rise apartments, affordable housing projects and suburban residential areas. At the same time, sufficient parks, transport facilities and other public services should be provided alongside new housing developments.

In conclusion, I agree that tall apartment blocks are an effective way to provide housing in densely populated cities, but I do not believe they are the best solution in every situation. A balanced housing strategy that combines high-rise buildings with other forms of accommodation would be more practical and sustainable.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction, acknowledging the benefits of high-rise buildings while arguing that they should not be the sole solution. Each body paragraph provides relevant, well-developed arguments. The first paragraph discusses land efficiency and commuting, while the second addresses the drawbacks of overcrowding and the need for diverse housing. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position. The ideas are extended and supported with logical reasoning, demonstrating a clear and consistent focus on the task throughout the essay.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the advantages and disadvantages is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', and 'Therefore'. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate distinct points. The flow of information is natural, and referencing is clear throughout the text. The use of linking words is neither mechanical nor excessive, contributing to a coherent and easy-to-follow argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task. Phrases like 'sufficient housing', 'high-density housing', 'traffic congestion', and 'balanced housing strategy' show a solid command of topic-specific language. While the vocabulary is accurate and precise, there is room to incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items to reach the highest band. The word choices are consistently natural and contribute to the clarity of your argument without any noticeable errors in collocation or spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses ('If cities focus entirely...') and subordinate clauses ('...where land is scarce'). The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to enhance readability. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the response, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.

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.