Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-12
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)
Nowadays, housing shortage is the biggest challege especially in large cities. To overcome that issue several suggestions are in discussion for instance some people suggesting that tall buildings are the beneficial to accommodate growing population in the large cities. I partially agree with the statement as I believe that it is usefull method but it is not the only possible solution.
On the one hand, Constructing houses upwards intsead of sideways are usefull as it allows to accommodate more people in relatively small area. However, there are also more opportunities for youngsters in that type of buildings as they can start their software companies by renting a apartment in that building but it badly effects social life of the people who prefers to live in larger area.
On the other hand, I firmly believe that there are other ways existed which helps in providing homes in large cities and they can be more beneficial. For instance the government should encourage the individuals to live in villages where the more land is available, government can help them by developing that type of areas such as government can establish societies there. Moreover, not everyone likes to live in buildings as it affects their personal life as in that type of places there is no personel space where they can arrange their family gatherings.
In conclusion, from my perspective the other solutions are most effective rather than completely depending on constructing tall buildings. Tall buildings are usefull but not appealing all the citizens towards itself.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses the prompt by discussing the extent of agreement regarding tall apartment blocks. The writer clearly states a partial agreement position in the introduction: 'I partially agree with the statement as I believe that it is usefull method but it is not the only possible solution.' Ideas are presented and supported with reasons, such as maximizing space efficiency and offering opportunities for businesses, while also presenting counter-arguments regarding lifestyle and government decentralization toward villages. However, some arguments remain slightly under-developed or vague, such as the claim that youngsters can start software companies in apartment buildings. Overall, the prompt is adequately addressed with a clear position throughout, aligning with the Band 6 descriptors.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response has a coherent overall arrangement and follows a standard essay structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different arguments. Cohesive devices are employed to signal transitions, such as 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' and 'In conclusion.' However, some referencing is slightly faulty or mechanical, and repetition of phrases like 'in that type of buildings' or 'that type of places' detracts from smooth progression. Progression is generally discernible, but the management of cohesive ties is sometimes basic or repetitive, fitting the Band 6 criteria.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, allowing the writer to convey their ideas about urban housing shortages. There are attempts to use less common items and academic phrasing, such as 'accommodate growing population' and 'decentralizing,' though errors in word choice, spelling, and collocation are noticeable ('challege' instead of 'challenge', 'usefull', 'intsead', 'personel space'). These errors do not impede communication, but they restrict the lexical score. The range of vocabulary is sufficient to meet the basic demands of the task, which corresponds to a Band 6 level.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some variety in structure. For instance, the writer successfully employs subordinate clauses and conditional elements (e.g., 'as I believe that it is usefull method but it is not the only possible solution'). However, there are frequent errors in grammar, punctuation, and article usage throughout the text, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('houses upwards... are usefull') and preposition errors ('appealing all the citizens towards itself'). While these errors are noticeable and require the reader to occasionally re-read, they rarely impede overall communication, placing the grammatical performance firmly at Band 5.5, rounded to 5.0 or 6.0 depending on error density. Given the mix of functional complex forms alongside persistent slips, a Band 6 is appropriate.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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