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 rapid growth of cities has created a serious shortage of housing in many urban areas. Some people believe that building tall apartment blocks is the best way to provide enough homes for a growing population. I agree with this view because high-rise buildings can accommodate more people while using limited land efficiently.

One major advantage of constructing tall apartment buildings is that they can provide housing for a large number of people in a relatively small area. Land in large cities is often expensive and limited, so building houses with large gardens may not be practical. In contrast, high-rise apartments allow many families to live in the same building without requiring large areas of land. For example, a single apartment tower can provide hundreds of homes, which can significantly reduce pressure on the housing market.

Another important benefit is that high-density housing can make the delivery of public services more efficient. When people live closer together, governments can provide public transport, water, electricity and other facilities more easily. In addition, apartment residents are often closer to workplaces, schools and shopping centres, which may reduce commuting time and traffic congestion.

However, I do not believe that tall apartment blocks should be the only solution. If cities rely too heavily on high-rise buildings, they may become overcrowded and lack sufficient green spaces. Poorly planned apartment complexes can also create problems such as noise, limited privacy. Therefore, governments should combine high-rise housing with other options, such as medium-density housing and well-planned suburban developments.

In conclusion, I agree that building tall apartment blocks is an effective way to address housing shortages in large cities because it makes efficient use of limited land and can accommodate many people. Nevertheless, it should be part of a broader urban planning strategy that also provides green spaces and suitable community facilities.

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 and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments regarding land efficiency and public service delivery are well-developed and supported with logical reasoning. You also demonstrate a balanced perspective by acknowledging the potential drawbacks of high-rise living, such as overcrowding and lack of privacy, which adds depth to your argument. The conclusion effectively synthesises your main points and provides a nuanced final thought. The response is well-structured and directly answers the 'to what extent' question by arguing for high-rise buildings as a primary, but not exclusive, solution.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, starting with the benefits of high-density housing and moving to the limitations. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In contrast', 'Another important benefit', and 'Nevertheless', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The transition between the advantages and the counter-argument is smooth, ensuring the flow of the essay remains coherent throughout. The use of referencing is clear, and the overall structure is professional and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task. Phrases like 'urban areas', 'high-density housing', 'traffic congestion', and 'broader urban planning strategy' show a solid command of topic-specific language. While the vocabulary is generally accurate and natural, there is room to incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items to reach the highest band. For instance, instead of 'provide enough homes', you could use 'alleviate housing shortages'. The word choice is precise, and there are no spelling or collocation errors that impede communication. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey your ideas with clarity and precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use conditional sentences ('If cities rely too heavily...') and relative clauses ('...which can significantly reduce pressure...') effectively. The grammar is generally accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to support the structure of your arguments. While there are no major grammatical errors, the range of structures could be slightly more varied to demonstrate greater flexibility. Overall, your control of grammar is strong, and the occasional minor slips do not interfere with the clarity of your writing.

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