Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

In many major cities, a shortage of affordable housing has become an increasingly serious problem. It is often argued that constructing tall apartment blocks is the most effective way to provide sufficient accommodation for a growing urban population. I largely agree with this view because high-rise housing makes far more efficient use of limited land, although it should be combined with proper infrastructure and urban planning.

The strongest argument in favour of tall residential buildings is that they can accommodate a large number of people within a relatively small area. Land in major cities is both scarce and extremely expensive, so constructing detached or low-rise houses for everyone would be impractical. By building vertically, hundreds of families can live on a single plot of land that might otherwise accommodate only a few households. This approach is particularly suitable for densely populated cities such as Dhaka, where rapid population growth has placed enormous pressure on available housing. High-rise developments can therefore increase the housing supply without requiring cities to expand continuously into surrounding rural areas.

Another advantage is that well-planned apartment complexes can make urban services more efficient. When large numbers of residents live close together, public transport, schools, healthcare facilities and commercial services can be provided within a relatively compact area. This can reduce commuting distances and limit urban sprawl. However, simply constructing taller buildings is not enough. If high-rise neighbourhoods lack adequate roads, green spaces, drainage systems or public transport, they may instead create overcrowding and reduce residents’ quality of life.

In conclusion, I agree to a large extent that tall apartment blocks are one of the best ways to meet housing demand in large cities because they maximise limited urban land and can support more efficient public services. Nevertheless, their success depends on thoughtful planning and sufficient infrastructure rather than height alone.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student has successfully addressed all parts of the task by presenting a clear position throughout the response and supporting it with relevant ideas. The prompt asks whether tall apartment blocks are the best way to provide enough homes in large cities. The student largely agrees, providing well-developed arguments regarding land efficiency in paragraph two and the importance of supporting infrastructure in paragraph three. The ideas are extended appropriately, citing relevant examples such as high-density cities like Dhaka, and the conclusion neatly ties the points together. This meets the criteria for Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with an introduction that outlines the writer's stance, moving into body paragraphs that explore land efficiency and service delivery, and concluding effectively. Cohesive devices such as 'The strongest argument', 'Another advantage', and 'Nevertheless' are used flexibly and appropriately. Paragraphing is handled skilfully, ensuring a smooth and readable flow of information from one idea to the next, which aligns well with the Band 8.0 descriptors.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic discussion. Less common items such as 'shortage of affordable housing', 'urban population', 'scarce and extremely expensive', 'densely populated', and 'urban sprawl' are used with good awareness of style and collocation. Word choices are precise, and there are virtually no spelling or lexical errors that impede communication. While it occasionally reaches towards the sophistication of higher bands, it sits comfortably within the Band 7.0 range for its consistent accuracy and adequate breadth.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The writer displays a strong command of grammatical structures, successfully employing a wide variety of complex sentences alongside simple forms. Examples of complex structures include conditional and concessive clauses such as 'although it should be combined with proper infrastructure' and 'If high-rise neighbourhoods lack adequate roads...'. The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled with a high degree of accuracy. The control over grammar is strong and consistent, matching the criteria for Band 8.0.

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

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