Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-13

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)

In many large cities, the demand for housing is increasing rapidly as a result of population growth and urbanisation. Some people believe that constructing tall apartment blocks is the best way to provide sufficient accommodation. I largely agree with this view because high-rise buildings make efficient use of limited land, although other forms of housing are also necessary.

The main advantage of building tall apartment blocks is that they can accommodate a large number of people on a relatively small area of land. Land in major cities is often extremely expensive and limited, so constructing houses that spread horizontally would require much more space. By building upwards, governments and property developers can provide hundreds of homes without occupying large areas of land. This can also help to reduce urban sprawl and protect farmland and green spaces on the outskirts of cities. For instance, cities such as Singapore have made extensive use of high-rise residential buildings to accommodate their growing populations despite having limited land.

Another reason I support this approach is that apartment blocks can be developed alongside public infrastructure. When a large number of residents live in one area, it becomes more practical to provide facilities such as public transport, schools, supermarkets and healthcare centres nearby. This can reduce people’s dependence on private cars and make cities more convenient and environmentally sustainable. Furthermore, high-rise apartments can sometimes be more affordable than detached houses because the cost of land is shared among a greater number of residents.

However, I do not believe that tall buildings should be the sole solution to the housing shortage. Extremely high-density neighbourhoods can suffer from overcrowding, traffic congestion and a lack of open spaces if they are poorly planned. Some families may also prefer houses with gardens, particularly those with young children. Therefore, cities should adopt a balanced housing strategy that includes high-rise apartments as well as medium-rise buildings and carefully planned suburban housing.

In conclusion, I largely agree that tall apartment blocks are the most effective way to provide large numbers of homes in major cities because they use land efficiently and support better urban infrastructure. Nevertheless, they should be combined with other types of housing to create comfortable and sustainable cities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by exploring the extent of agreement with the statement about tall apartment blocks. The writer establishes a clear position in the introduction ('I largely agree with this view because high-rise buildings make efficient use of limited land') and maintains this stance throughout. Main ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as referencing Singapore to illustrate land efficiency. The counterargument is also introduced and addressed effectively in the fourth paragraph, which provides a balanced and thorough exploration of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

Ideas are logically sequenced, and there is a clear progression throughout the essay. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with land efficiency, moving to infrastructure and affordability, acknowledging drawbacks, and concluding logically. Cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively, such as 'Furthermore', 'However', and 'In conclusion'. Paragraphing is used skillfully and appropriately to guide the reader through the writer's argument without any noticeable flaws in referencing or cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a wide and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic context. Less common lexical items are used skillfully, such as 'urbanisation', 'urban sprawl', 'infrastructure', and 'environmentally sustainable'. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate and natural throughout the response. There are only occasional minor limitations, but overall the vocabulary allows the writer to convey precise meanings smoothly and effectively, matching the Band 7 to 8 profile.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences featuring conditional, relative, and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'When a large number of residents live in one area, it becomes more practical to provide facilities...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled correctly. Control over grammar is strong, with only very occasional, non-systematic slips that do not impede communication in any way, comfortably satisfying the requirements for a Band 8.

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

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