Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

Rapid urbanization has made affordable housing a critical challenge in major cities around the globe. While high-rise residential buildings offer an efficient solution to urban density, I disagree that constructing tall apartment blocks is the single best approach to address housing shortages.

On the one hand, vertical construction effectively maximizes limited land area. High-density high-rises accommodate thousands of families within a small footprint, drastically reducing land costs per household. For instance, megacities like Singapore and Tokyo rely heavily on skyscrapers to house their large populations without expanding outwards. Additionally, concentrated residential units make urban planning simpler by allowing municipal governments to centralize public transit, water, and power grids efficiently.

On the other hand, relying exclusively on tall apartment blocks creates several serious drawbacks. High-rise construction requires sophisticated engineering and costly materials, making luxury developments more common than truly affordable housing. Furthermore, over-concentrating populations in high-rises puts intense strain on local infrastructure, leading to severe traffic congestion, overcrowded schools, and frequent utility disruptions. Living in dense tower complexes can also lead to social isolation and reduced mental health due to a lack of green spaces and community interaction.

Instead of depending solely on high-rises, cities should adopt a balanced urban strategy. Local governments can promote medium-density housing, such as townhouses and four-story complexes, alongside improved suburban rail networks. Developing reliable public transportation encourages people to live in surrounding satellite towns, spreading out population density naturally without compromising quality of life.

In conclusion, while tall apartment blocks play a vital role in dense urban areas, they are not the ultimate solution. A combination of sustainable suburban development and diverse housing types provides a far superior long-term remedy.

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 and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, providing a balanced view by acknowledging the benefits of high-rise buildings (e.g., land efficiency in Singapore and Tokyo) before presenting a strong counter-argument regarding infrastructure strain and social isolation. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position, suggesting a multi-faceted approach rather than a singular solution. The ideas are relevant, well-supported, and demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, and the transition between the benefits and drawbacks is smooth, facilitated by effective cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'Additionally,' and 'Furthermore.' The use of referencing is precise, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points of view. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between ideas is always clear, making the essay very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the academic nature of the task. Phrases such as 'rapid urbanization,' 'sophisticated engineering,' and 'sustainable suburban development' show a high level of control. You use less common lexical items accurately and naturally. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary contributes significantly to the precision and professional tone of the writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of complex structures used with high accuracy. You successfully employ a variety of sentence types, including conditional structures and complex noun phrases, without error. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to enhance clarity. There are no grammatical slips that impede communication, and the control over tense and agreement is consistent throughout the text.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.