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)

In many major cities, land scarcity makes it difficult to house rapidly growing populations. While some argue for urban sprawl, I agree that constructing tall apartment blocks is the most effective solution for providing sufficient housing.The primary advantage of high-rise residential buildings is their efficiency in land use. In densely populated metropolitan areas, horizontal expansion is often not feasible due to limited space and high land prices. By building vertically, developers can accommodate hundreds of households on a single plot that would otherwise house only a handful of detached homes. This approach is already evident in global financial hubs such as New York and Hong Kong, where skyscrapers allow millions of people to live within a compact city center while preserving surrounding land for commerce and infrastructure. Consequently, vertical housing directly addresses the pressure on urban land without forcing cities to expand outward.A second key benefit is affordability and accessibility. Purchasing a standalone house in a large city is financially out of reach for many, particularly migrants and low-income families who move to urban areas in search of education, healthcare, and employment. High-rise apartments offer a more economical alternative because construction and maintenance costs are shared among many residents. Furthermore, they provide flexible options, ranging from studio flats to multi-bedroom units, that can be either rented or purchased according to individual budgets. In countries like Pakistan, where over half the population lives below the poverty line, such housing models make urban living viable for those who would otherwise be excluded from the housing market.Admittedly, critics point out that tall apartment blocks can lead to social isolation and place strain on utilities. However, these issues can be mitigated through thoughtful urban planning, including communal spaces, efficient public transport, and mixed-use developments. When designed well, high-rises do not have to compromise quality of life.In conclusion, I strongly agree that tall apartment blocks represent the best way to meet housing demand in large cities. They optimize limited land, offer affordable living options, and enable cities to grow sustainably. For these reasons, vertical development should be central to future urban housing policy.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt, taking a clear and well-supported position that tall apartment blocks are the best solution to urban housing shortages. The student develops well-reasoned arguments concerning land efficiency and affordability, providing relevant examples such as New York, Hong Kong, and Pakistan. The ideas are extended effectively and the counter-argument regarding social isolation is acknowledged and addressed thoughtfully through urban planning solutions. The response satisfies the Band 8 descriptor for Task Achievement because all parts of the task are covered thoroughly and ideas are well developed with strong supporting evidence.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are coherently linked, starting with land efficiency, moving to affordability, addressing a counter-argument, and concluding with a strong summary. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate each distinct argument and transition smoothly between them. Cohesive devices such as 'Consequently', 'Furthermore', and 'Admittedly' are used naturally and effectively to guide the reader. While referencing is clear and cohesion is well managed, minor typographical merging issues between paragraphs do not disrupt the overall flow or logical structure, easily placing this within the Band 7 to 8 range.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student uses a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic discussion on urban planning. Less common lexical items and collocations are employed successfully, such as 'land scarcity', 'urban sprawl', 'horizontal expansion', 'financial hubs', and 'mixed-use developments'. Word choice is generally precise, and the writer demonstrates good awareness of academic style. There are only occasional minor limitations, but vocabulary choices never impede communication and effectively convey sophisticated meanings, matching the standard required for a Band 7.5 performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with multiple clauses, conditional structures, and participial phrases, such as 'By building vertically, developers can accommodate hundreds of households...' and 'When designed well, high-rises do not have to compromise quality of life.' The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation and grammar are controlled with a high degree of accuracy. Minor errors are virtually non-existent, showcasing the control and flexibility expected at Band 8.0.

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