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)

In many large cities, the population is growing rapidly, and there is a serious shortage of housing. Some people believe that the best solution is to build tall apartment blocks. I partly agree with this statement because high-rise buildings can provide homes for many people, but they should not be the only solution.

One major advantage of building tall apartment blocks is that they can accommodate a large number of people while using less land. Land in major cities is often expensive and limited. For example, in Vancouver, where the city is surrounded by mountains and water, there is limited space for urban expansion. As a result, high-rise apartment buildings and condominiums have become an important way to house the growing population. Similarly, cities such as Toronto have developed many residential towers near downtown areas and public transportation stations, allowing thousands of people to live close to jobs and services.

Another benefit is that apartment buildings can be constructed near workplaces, schools, shops and public transportation. For instance, in Toronto, many high-rise residential buildings are located near subway stations, which helps residents travel without depending entirely on private cars. This can reduce traffic congestion and make daily life more convenient.

However, I do not believe that tall apartment blocks are the only answer to the housing problem. Living in extremely crowded high-rise areas may lead to problems such as noise, limited privacy and a lack of green spaces. Families with children may also prefer larger homes with outdoor areas. Therefore, governments should also develop townhouses, smaller apartment buildings and affordable housing in suburban areas.

In conclusion, I agree that tall apartment blocks are an effective way to provide housing for growing populations in large cities, especially in places such as Vancouver and Toronto where land is limited and expensive. However, combining high-rise buildings with other types of housing would be a better long-term solution because it can meet the different needs of residents and create more balanced communities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction, arguing that while high-rise buildings are an effective solution, they should not be the only one. Your ideas are well-developed, with specific examples from Vancouver and Toronto used to support your arguments regarding land scarcity and urban planning. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your points, maintaining a balanced perspective throughout the essay. The response is well-structured and directly answers the 'to what extent' component of the question.

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 of high-rise buildings and the potential drawbacks is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'As a result', 'Similarly', 'Another benefit', and 'However', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points, and the overall structure is coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'urban expansion', 'residential towers', 'traffic congestion', and 'balanced communities' show a good command of topic-specific language. While the vocabulary is accurate and natural, it stays within a fairly standard range. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions, but the current level is more than adequate for clear and precise communication throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional and relative clauses (e.g., 'where the city is surrounded by mountains and water', 'which helps residents travel without depending entirely on private cars'). The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no significant grammatical slips that impede meaning. Your control over complex structures is consistent and reliable.

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

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