Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-03

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)

As the population of major cities continues to grow, providing adequate housing has become an increasingly pressing challenge. Some people argue that the most effective solution is to construct tall apartment buildings. I largely agree with this view, because high-rise housing makes efficient use of limited urban land and can accommodate a large number of people. However, it should be combined with other forms of housing and careful urban planning.

The primary advantage of constructing tall residential buildings is that they maximise the use of scarce land. Large cities generally have limited space, while demand for housing continues to increase as people move from rural areas in search of employment and education. Building vertically allows thousands of residents to live in a relatively small area, whereas low-rise houses require considerably more land. For example, cities such as Singapore and Hong Kong have successfully used high-density apartment buildings to accommodate large populations despite having limited developable land. Therefore, high-rise construction can be a particularly practical solution in densely populated urban centres.

Another important benefit is that apartment blocks can be developed alongside public infrastructure and essential services. When a large number of people live in one area, governments can provide public transport, schools, hospitals and shopping facilities more efficiently. This can reduce urban sprawl and shorten commuting distances. Moreover, well-designed high-rise developments can include communal facilities such as parks, playgrounds and recreational areas, making them more attractive places to live.

Nevertheless, I do not believe that tall buildings alone are the ideal answer to the housing shortage. Excessive reliance on high-rise construction can create problems such as overcrowding, traffic congestion, pressure on public services and a lack of private outdoor space. Some families, particularly those with young children, may prefer low-rise houses with gardens. Furthermore, poorly planned apartment complexes can contribute to social isolation and reduce residents' quality of life. Consequently, governments should adopt a balanced housing strategy, combining high-rise apartments with medium-density housing, affordable homes and appropriate infrastructure.

In conclusion, I strongly support the construction of tall apartment blocks as one of the most effective ways of providing housing in large cities, particularly where land is scarce. However, it should not be regarded as a universal solution. A combination of high-density housing, sensible urban planning and adequate public facilities is more likely to meet the long-term needs of growing urban populations.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You present a clear position from the introduction, which is maintained consistently throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, particularly the points regarding land efficiency and infrastructure integration. You also provide a balanced view by acknowledging the potential drawbacks of high-rise living, such as social isolation and lack of private space, which demonstrates a sophisticated approach to the topic. The use of specific examples like Singapore and Hong Kong effectively supports your claims. The ideas are relevant and extended logically, 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 and the limitations of high-rise buildings is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Moreover', 'Consequently', and 'Nevertheless', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between ideas is always clear, demonstrating a high level of control over the structure of the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the academic context. Phrases such as 'increasingly pressing challenge', 'maximize the use of scarce land', and 'urban sprawl' show a high level of lexical control. You use less common items with precision and demonstrate a good awareness of collocation. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling, and the language used is natural and sophisticated throughout the response. The vocabulary is consistently accurate and contributes to the clarity and professional tone of the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You effectively use complex sentences, such as 'As the population of major cities continues to grow, providing adequate housing has become an increasingly pressing challenge.' The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and verb tenses is excellent. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The variety of structures, including conditional-like reasoning and well-placed subordinate clauses, indicates 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.