Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-11
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)
It is often argued that the best way to provide the enough housing in large cities is to build tall apartment blocks, while others believe that it is more effective for people to build small blocks. This essay will discuss both viewpoints before explaining why I believe that it is more convenient for people to live in small or separate blocks.
On the one hand, building the tall apartment blocks in large cities can sometimes be the most crucial choice. It allows people to live in sharing apartment and strength their bonds. For example, if a person wants to live in large cities then it would be best choice for them to stay in tall apartment. It also helps them to share their opinions and can colaborate to each other more easily.
On the other hand, many people also think that building the small apartment or separate building plays the most significant role to attract the people. For instance, if a person wants to live in an open and separate house then it makes them more easier to live there. It also allows them to live separately where they can enjoy their time more conveniently without any hesitations.
In my opinion, rather than building the tall apartments in urban areas, they can invest their money small and separate houses. it allows them to stay in a peace and calm nature where they can enjoy their staying more effectively and confidently. It also reduces their over expenses of adding enough facilities as compared to tall apartments.
In conclusion, although many people prefer to build tall apartments in large cities to provide enough housing for people, I think that it will be more beneficial and suitable for each and every person to live in small and separate house.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The essay addresses the prompt, but the development of ideas is limited. While you state a position, the arguments provided are somewhat repetitive and lack depth. For instance, the claim that tall buildings help people 'strength their bonds' is asserted but not logically explained or supported with concrete evidence. Similarly, the counter-argument regarding small houses is vague, focusing on 'peace and calm' rather than addressing the core issue of urban housing density or land scarcity. To improve, ensure that each paragraph provides a clear, well-reasoned argument that directly addresses the logistical challenges of housing large populations in cities.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organised into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' to signal shifts in the argument. However, the progression of ideas within paragraphs is sometimes mechanical. The transition between sentences is occasionally abrupt, and the use of referencing (e.g., 'they' in the fourth paragraph) is slightly ambiguous, as it is unclear who 'they' refers to. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring clear pronoun references would enhance the flow of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and range required for higher bands. You rely on simple, repetitive phrasing such as 'best choice', 'most significant role', and 'more easier'. There are also minor collocation errors, such as 'colaborate to each other' (should be 'collaborate with each other') and 'over expenses' (should be 'excessive expenses'). To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary related to urban planning, such as 'high-density housing', 'urban sprawl', 'infrastructure', or 'sustainable development', and focus on using words in their correct collocations.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally hinder clarity. Examples include 'provide the enough housing' (article error), 'strength their bonds' (should be 'strengthen'), 'makes them more easier' (double comparative), and 'invest their money small and separate houses' (missing preposition). While the meaning is generally understandable, these recurring errors in basic grammar and sentence construction prevent the essay from reaching a higher band. Focus on proofreading for subject-verb agreement, correct preposition usage, and avoiding redundant comparative structures.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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