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 task by presenting a clear position agreeing with the statement and supporting it with well-developed ideas. The writer explores the efficiency of land use and the economic benefits of high-rise living, supporting these points with relevant examples such as global financial hubs like New York and Hong Kong, as well as a specific reference to Pakistan. The counter-argument regarding social isolation and strain on utilities is also thoughtfully addressed and refuted through the lens of urban planning. The position is maintained consistently throughout the essay, demonstrating a high level of task response that aligns well with the Band 8 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

Ideas are logically sequenced, guiding the reader smoothly from the introduction through the body paragraphs to a clear conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central theme, such as land efficiency, affordability, and counter-arguments. Cohesive devices are managed well, using appropriate transitional phrases like 'Consequently', 'A second key benefit', 'Furthermore', and 'Admittedly' to signal shifts in thought and maintain logical progression. Referencing and substitution are clear throughout the text, ensuring cohesion is natural and unobtrusive.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The writer demonstrates a wide and flexible lexical resource, successfully incorporating less common vocabulary items and collocations with good awareness of academic style. Examples of effective vocabulary use include 'land scarcity', 'urban sprawl', 'densely populated metropolitan areas', 'horizontal expansion', and 'mixed-use developments'. Word choice and collocations are generally precise, with only occasional minor slips that do not impede communication. The vocabulary allows the writer to convey precise meanings smoothly and effectively, fitting comfortably within the Band 7 to Band 8 range.

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 writer successfully employs conditional and participial phrases, relative clauses, and multi-clause sentences, such as 'By building vertically, developers can accommodate hundreds of households on a single plot that would otherwise house only a handful of detached homes.' The majority of sentences are entirely error-free, and any errors are rare, non-systematic, and do not impede comprehension. Punctuation and sentence boundaries are handled with strong control throughout the essay.

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