Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-08
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 5.5)
An increasing number of people are choosing to live in high rise apartment blocks.
In my opinion, although these blocks of flats are often cheaper, they offer cramped living space and can present serious fire risks.
one obvious advantage to living in a multi story apartment block is that it offers people affordable accommodation in urban areas. With the growth of urban populations land is becoming increasingly expensive and, as a result many people are no longer able to afford their own house. Large apartment blocks require a small area of land but can provide a lot of flats which enable people on low incomes to continue living near city centers and near their jobs.
However, high rise apartment blocks usually offer small apartments with no outdoor areas. for families, this can be a problem as each seperate member of the family has little personal space which can result in a build up of tension as relationships can become forced. another problem is that such restricted living quarters offer no space for exercise which is a vital requirement for healthy living.
Finally, one of the worst problems of living in a high rise block of flats is the fire risk that it presents. If a fire should break out in one of the flats, the number of floors in the building means that people can become easily trapped on the top
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response addresses the prompt by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of high-rise living. However, the essay is incomplete, ending abruptly mid-sentence in the final paragraph. Because the response is under the 250-word minimum, it fails to fully develop the arguments presented. While the position is clear, the lack of a conclusion and the unfinished nature of the final point significantly impact the overall task achievement. To improve, ensure you provide a balanced conclusion that synthesizes your arguments and allows enough time to complete your thoughts fully within the word count requirement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay uses basic paragraphing to separate ideas, and there is a logical progression from the benefits of affordability to the drawbacks of space and safety. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical, and the abrupt ending disrupts the flow of the text. Referencing is generally clear, but the lack of a concluding paragraph makes the overall structure feel incomplete. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'furthermore', 'consequently', 'nonetheless') and ensure that each paragraph is fully developed with a clear transition to the next.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, allowing the writer to express their ideas clearly. There are some attempts at topic-specific vocabulary such as 'affordable accommodation' and 'restricted living quarters'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are minor spelling errors like 'seperate' instead of 'separate'. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations and academic vocabulary to demonstrate a wider range. For instance, instead of 'one of the worst problems', consider using 'a significant drawback' or 'a primary concern'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the grammar is generally understandable, there are several punctuation errors, such as the lack of capitalization at the start of sentences (e.g., 'one obvious advantage', 'for families', 'another problem'). There are also some minor grammatical slips, such as 'one of the worst problems... is the fire risk that it presents', which is slightly clunky. To improve, focus on proofreading for basic punctuation and capitalization, and aim to vary your sentence structure further to include more complex clauses.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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