Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-14

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)

Overpopulation has become an increasingly pressing issue in major cities around the world. As urban populations continue to expand, it has been suggested that constructing multi-storey residential buildings is an effective way to alleviate housing shortages. I strongly agree with this view because high-rise developments can accommodate large numbers of people while making efficient use of scarce urban land, and they can also provide relatively affordable and secure housing.

One compelling reason to support the construction of multi-storey residential buildings is the rapid influx of people into metropolitan areas. Individuals frequently migrate from rural regions to cities in pursuit of better employment prospects, healthcare, and educational opportunities. This continual population growth places considerable pressure on existing infrastructure and, in particular, creates an acute shortage of residential space. Since land in densely populated urban areas is both limited and expensive, constructing detached houses for every household is neither practical nor sustainable. High-rise apartment buildings, however, enable governments and private developers to accommodate a substantial number of residents on a comparatively small area of land. For example, a single residential tower can provide hundreds of housing units without requiring a proportionately large amount of land.

Another significant advantage is the relative affordability of apartment living. In economically developed cities, property prices are often prohibitively high, making home ownership unattainable for a considerable proportion of the population. Renting an apartment therefore provides a more accessible alternative, particularly for young professionals and lower- and middle-income households. Furthermore, residents of well-managed apartment complexes may benefit from shared facilities, maintenance services, and security systems, which can reduce both the financial and practical burdens associated with owning a detached property. For instance, many modern residential developments employ security personnel and surveillance systems, thereby providing residents with a greater sense of safety and peace of mind.

In conclusion, although living in multi-storey buildings can have certain drawbacks, such as limited privacy and dependence on shared facilities, I believe that the advantages clearly outweigh these disadvantages. High-rise residential developments represent a practical and sustainable response to urban population growth, as they maximise the use of limited land while providing comparatively affordable and secure accommodation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. The student presents a clear, well-developed position throughout the essay regarding whether tall apartment blocks are the best solution for urban housing shortages. The introduction clearly states the writer's strong agreement. Body paragraph one logically links the rise in urban migration and land scarcity to the necessity of high-rise developments, supporting this with a clear example of a single residential tower providing hundreds of units. Body paragraph two explores affordability and shared facilities, further extending and supporting the core argument. The ideas are fully extended and well-supported without over-generalisation, meeting the criteria for a high band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

Ideas are logically sequenced with a clear overall progression throughout the response. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, beginning with the introduction of the issue, followed by land efficiency and migration in paragraph two, affordability and amenities in paragraph three, and a concise concluding summary. Cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively, such as 'One compelling reason', 'Since land in densely populated urban areas...', 'Another significant advantage', and 'In conclusion'. Paragraphing is used fully and appropriately, ensuring the essay flows smoothly and guides the reader effortlessly from one point to the next.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

The student demonstrates a wide, flexible, and natural lexical range. The vocabulary is appropriate for an academic context, featuring strong phrases such as 'increasingly pressing issue', 'multi-storey residential buildings', 'rapid influx', 'prohibitively high', and 'peace of mind'. Less common lexical items are used skilfully with good awareness of collocation, such as 'alleviate housing shortages' and 'scarce urban land'. Word choice is precise throughout, and spelling is flawless, reflecting a high level of lexical control that matches the Band 8 descriptor.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response features a wide range of complex grammatical structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, showcasing sophisticated syntactic control through conditional structures, participial phrases, and subordinate clauses, as seen in 'Since land in densely populated urban areas is both limited and expensive, constructing detached houses for every household is neither practical nor sustainable.' Punctuation is handled expertly, and control over tense and agreement is consistent. Only occasional minor imperfections might appear, but they do not impede communication or detract from the sophisticated flow of the text.

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