Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-09

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 7.0)

The rapid growth of urban population has created a serious shortage of affordable housing in many large cities. Some people argue that the most effective solution is to construct more high-rise apartment buildings. WHile i agree that tall buildings can provide housing for large number of people in a limited area, I do not believe that they are the best solution in every situation.

There are sveral reasons why high-rise apartments can be an effective way to address urban housing shortages. THe most obvious advantage is that they make efficient use limited land. In densely populated cities, land is extremely expensive and often scarce, so constructing vertically allows thousands of people to live in a relatively small area. For example, cities such as Hong Kong and Singapore have successfully used high-rise residential buildings to accomodte large populations without expanding their boundaries excessively. Furthermore, concentrating residents in particular areas can make it easier for governments to provide public transport, schools, hospitlas and other essentianl services.

However, relying heavily on tall apartment blocks can also create significant problems. HIgh-density housing may lead to overcrowding and place considerable pressure on existing infrastructure. If roads, public transport and public services are not expanded at the same rate as the population, residents may experience traffic congestion, inadequate facilities and a lower quality of life. In addition, living in very tall buildings can reduce access to private outdoor spaces and may contribute to social isolation, particularlyfor families with young children or elderly residents. Therefore, simply constructing more high-rise buildings does not gurantee that cities will become more liveable.

In my view, the most effective approach is to combine high-rise development with other forms of housing and better urban planning. Governamnets should encourage medium-density housing, renovate usused buildings and develop afforadable housing in less crowded areas. At the same time, investment in public transport and green spaces is essential to ensure that increasing population density does not negatively affect residents wellbeing. High-rise building should therefore be considered as one important part of a broader housing strateggy rather than the single best solution.

In conclusion, tall apartment blocks can accomodate large numbers of people while making efficient use of scarce urban land. Nevertheless, they can also cause overcrowding and reduce living standards if they are poorly planned. I therefore believe that a combination of high-rise, medium-density and affordable hosuing,supported by adequate infrastructure, is a more effective long-term silution to the housing needs of large cities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction, arguing that while high-rise buildings are a useful tool, they are not the sole solution. Your ideas are well-developed, with specific examples like Hong Kong and Singapore used to support the benefits, and a balanced discussion of the drawbacks such as infrastructure strain and social isolation. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your argument, proposing a multi-faceted approach. The response is well-structured and directly answers the 'to what extent' question by providing a nuanced perspective.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the benefits and drawbacks is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'However', and 'In addition'. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different stages of your argument. While the flow is generally natural, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes standard; incorporating a wider variety of linking phrases could elevate this further. Overall, the information is presented in a coherent manner that is easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'efficient use of scarce urban land', 'densely populated', and 'broader housing strategy' show a good command of topic-specific language. There are some minor spelling errors (e.g., 'sveral', 'accomodte', 'hospitlas', 'essentianl', 'gurantee', 'strateggy', 'hosuing', 'silution'), which are likely slips rather than a lack of knowledge. To reach a higher band, ensure you proofread carefully to eliminate these mechanical errors, as they slightly detract from the professional tone of the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Your control over complex sentences, such as 'If roads, public transport and public services are not expanded at the same rate as the population, residents may experience...', is good. There are occasional minor errors, such as capitalization issues ('WHile i', 'THe', 'HIgh-density') and some missing articles or minor punctuation slips. However, these errors are infrequent and do not impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the grammatical control is generally strong throughout the response.

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