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)

It is often argued that constructing tall apartment buildings is the most effective way to provide sufficient housing in large cities. While I agree that high-rise buildings can accommodate a large number of people in limited areas, I believe that other housing solutions should also be considered.

One major advantage of tall apartment blocks is that they make efficient use of land. Land is often extremely expensive and limited in major cities, so building upwards allows more people to live in the same area. In addition, high-rise buildings can be constructed close to workplaces, schools and public transport, which may reduce the need for long daily journeys. Therefore, they can be a practical solution to housing shortages in densely populated urban areas.

However, relying entirely on tall buildings can create several problems. A large concentration of residents may put considerable pressure on roads, public transport, schools and other public services. Furthermore, not everyone prefers living in high-rise apartments, particularly families who may require more living space and access to private outdoor areas. Governments could therefore develop low-rise housing in suburban areas or create satellite towns around major cities. This would distribute the population more evenly and reduce pressure on city centres.

In conclusion, I agree that tall apartment blocks are an effective way to increase the supply of housing in large cities, particularly where land is scarce. However, I do not believe they are the best solution on their own, and they should be combined with other forms of housing development.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses the prompt by taking a clear position that while high-rise buildings are effective, they are not the sole solution. The ideas are well-developed, with the first body paragraph focusing on the benefits of land efficiency and proximity to services, and the second paragraph addressing the drawbacks, such as infrastructure strain and lifestyle preferences. The argument is balanced and logically extended throughout the essay. The position is consistent from the introduction to the conclusion, and the response provides a comprehensive answer to the 'to what extent' question by suggesting a combination of housing strategies.

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 benefits and the limitations of high-rise living is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'Therefore', 'However', and 'Furthermore' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is logical, with a clear introduction, two distinct body paragraphs, and a concise conclusion. The referencing is clear throughout, and the flow of the argument is natural and easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for an academic context. The student uses a good range of topic-specific terminology, such as 'densely populated urban areas', 'housing shortages', and 'satellite towns'. The word choice is accurate, and there is an awareness of collocation, such as 'put considerable pressure on' and 'distribute the population'. While the range is sufficient and effective, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band, but it is certainly strong enough for a 7.5 or 8.0 level of performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a high level of grammatical control. There is a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional and concessive clauses (e.g., 'While I agree that...', 'If...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used accurately to enhance clarity. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over verb tenses and modal verbs is consistent, contributing to the overall professional tone of the writing.

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

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