Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-04

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 housing crisis is an increasingly pertinent problem in modern metropolitan areas, driven by large inflows of job-seeking migrants. Over the last few decades, we have witnessed a shift in the global land use patterns with rapid urbanisation causing cities to encroach upon vital fertile land that was previously being used for agricultural purposes. This is in turn exacerbating the food crisis and compromising the surrounding ecosystems. Moreover, when cities cannot accommodate the rapidly expanding population in their limited space, it leads to elevated levels of poverty, urban congestion, pollution and ultimately social unrest. In such a scenario, vertical expansion of a city becomes the only viable solution. I do agree with the statement that to provide enough homes to the huge inflow of population, building tall apartment blocks seems to be the best possible way.

Vertical expansion of cities allows urban planners to make space for other necessary amenities such as a well-connected public transportation system, better road networks, pedestrian zones, recreational spots and green spaces. However, it is also necessary to make sure this does not turn our cities into concrete jungles. Tall apartment buildings, in conjunction with towering skyscrapers can very easily transform our cities into heat islands, by trapping solar heat and blocking airflow. One way we can tackle this issue is by implementing the model of vertical gardens, terrace gardens or rooftop green spaces. They can provide our cities with a more visually pleasing aesthetic, while also helping in urban cooling, combating air pollution and even acting as vegetable gardens.

A few cities that have successfully implemented this model are Milan, Singapore and Taipei. Singapore for instance, is famous for its vertical gardens, and is also known as the ‘garden city’ for successful integration of green spaces in its high-rise buildings. Hence, we do have success stories that have proved that constructing high-density tall residential buildings can alleviate the housing crisis in large cities without having to compromise on their aesthetic, ecological or utilitarian value.

In conclusion, by coupling population density with nature-inspired architectural design, growing cities can remain functional, liveable habitats rather than oppressive concrete mazes. This is achievable through sound urban planning, a conscious forward-thinking approach and the incorporation of sustainable green infrastructure in order to make our cities holistic living spaces.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses the prompt by taking a clear position in favor of vertical expansion. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the nuanced argument that high-density living must be balanced with green infrastructure to avoid the 'concrete jungle' effect. The inclusion of specific examples like Singapore and Milan demonstrates a strong ability to support arguments with relevant real-world knowledge. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the main points. The response meets all requirements of the task, providing a logical and well-supported argument that directly answers the question of whether tall apartment blocks are the best solution for housing in large cities.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, starting with the problem of urban sprawl, moving to the benefits of vertical expansion, addressing potential drawbacks with solutions, and providing supporting examples. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'In such a scenario', 'However', and 'Hence' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The transition between the argument for tall buildings and the necessity of green spaces is particularly smooth. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the overall structure is coherent, making the writer's argument easy to follow from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The vocabulary is sophisticated and precise, demonstrating a wide range of topic-specific terminology. Phrases such as 'pertinent problem', 'encroach upon vital fertile land', 'vertical expansion', and 'holistic living spaces' show a high level of lexical control. The student uses collocations naturally and avoids repetition. While the language is consistently strong, it stops just short of the 'very natural and sophisticated' control required for a band 9, as there are occasional instances where the phrasing could be slightly more idiomatic. Nevertheless, the range is excellent and contributes significantly to the clarity and impact of the argument.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of complex structures, including conditional clauses, participial phrases, and well-constructed compound-complex sentences. The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is handled correctly, and the flow of the text is rarely interrupted by grammatical slips. The use of varied sentence lengths and structures keeps the reader engaged and demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence. There are no significant errors that impede communication, and the control over tense and aspect is consistent throughout the piece.

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