Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

It is often argued that constructing high-rise apartment blocks is the most effective solution to housing shortages in major cities. While I accept that vertical development is indispensable where land is scarce, I would argue that it cannot succeed in isolation, and I therefore agree with this statement only to a limited extent.

The case for tall buildings rests on the simple economics of land. In densely populated cities such as Hong Kong and Singapore, a single tower can accommodate hundreds of families on a footprint that would otherwise house no more than a handful, so building upwards is the only realistic means of meeting demand. A further advantage is that high density limits urban sprawl and makes public transport, sanitation and utilities financially viable, since the cost per resident falls sharply when people live close together. Without such development, cities would expand relentlessly into farmland and commuters would face ever longer journeys.

Nevertheless, height alone does not guarantee adequate housing. Poorly planned tower blocks have historically become concentrations of deprivation: the post-war estates demolished in both Britain and the United States illustrate how buildings erected without green space, amenities or maintenance budgets can deteriorate within a generation. Moreover, in cities like London and Vancouver many new apartments are purchased as investments and left empty, which means that supply rises without affordability improving. A more effective approach would be to combine medium-rise housing, the conversion of disused offices, and taxes on vacant properties with a legal quota of genuinely affordable units.

In conclusion, although tall apartment blocks are a necessary component of urban housing policy, they are not a complete answer. In my view, governments should treat them as one instrument among several, for what ultimately matters is not how high cities build but whether ordinary residents can afford to live in what is built.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student addresses all parts of the task well, presenting a clear position throughout the response. The introduction clearly outlines the stance that vertical development is useful but not sufficient on its own. The body paragraphs are well-developed, offering relevant arguments regarding land economics, urban sprawl, and the historical pitfalls of poorly planned high-rises. Ideas are extended with specific examples, such as referencing Hong Kong, Singapore, London, and Vancouver, which supports the position effectively. The response meets all criteria for Band 8 under Task Achievement by providing a well-developed argument with only minor omissions in broader socio-economic complexities.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organization and progression from introduction to conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the prompt: economic necessity, potential drawbacks, and a synthesized conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'While I accept', 'A further advantage', 'Nevertheless', and 'In conclusion' are used flexibly and naturally without being mechanical. Referencing and substitution are handled smoothly throughout the text, ensuring the reader easily follows the line of argument. This performance aligns comfortably with the Band 8 descriptors.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The writer employs a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic discussion. Less common and precise lexical items are utilized skilfully, including 'vertical development', 'urban sprawl', 'financially viable', 'concentrations of deprivation', and 'disused offices'. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate, showing a good awareness of academic style. There are only occasional minor lexical choices, but these do not impede communication. The lexical range easily satisfies the Band 8 requirements for flexibility and precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response features a wide range of complex structures used with a high degree of control. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the writer successfully employs subordinate clauses, conditional elements, and advanced punctuation. Grammatical control is evident in long, multi-clause sentences such as 'Without such development, cities would expand relentlessly into farmland and commuters would face ever longer journeys.' Only occasional, non-systematic slips occur, which places the grammar firmly at a Band 8 level.

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