Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-16

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)

Rapid urbanization has triggered severe housing shortages in metropolitan areas worldwide. While some argue that constructing high-rise apartment complexes represents the most effective solution to this crisis, I believe that while vertical living is essential, it must be paired with suburban expansion and infrastructure development to truly resolve urban housing pressures.

On the one hand, vertical construction offers clear advantages in land-constrained environments. Large metropolitan hubs like Tokyo, New York, and Mumbai suffer from exorbitant land prices and finite spatial footprints. Constructing tall residential towers maximizes land-use efficiency by accommodating thousands of residents on a relatively compact plot of land. Moreover, dense vertical development optimizes access to existing municipal infrastructure. Residents can easily connect to established public transit networks, electrical grids, and water supplies without requiring cities to pave over surrounding green belts. Consequently, high-rise buildings curtail urban sprawl and keep commute times manageable for city workforces.

On the other hand, relying exclusively on skyscrapers introduces significant economic and social drawbacks. High-rise developments require advanced engineering, specialized materials, and continuous maintenance for lifts, ventilation, and fire safety systems, which frequently translates into high purchase prices and costly maintenance fees. As a result, many newly built towers cater to affluent buyers rather than middle- or low-income families in desperate need of affordable shelter. Furthermore, hyper-dense residential clusters often strain local amenities, overwhelming nearby schools, healthcare clinics, and road networks.

A more sustainable strategy involves combining moderate-density high-rises with the expansion of satellite towns and well-connected suburban hubs. By investing in high-speed rail and decentralized commercial zones, governments can encourage residents to settle comfortably outside the central core, where land is cheaper and family homes are more viable.

In conclusion, while high-rise buildings are an indispensable tool for utilizing expensive city land efficiently, they are not the sole or definitive answer to urban housing shortages. A balanced approach integrating vertical density with well-connected regional transit offers a far more effective long-term remedy.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The candidate has fully addressed all parts of the prompt by presenting a clear, well-developed position throughout the essay. In the introduction, the writer takes a nuanced stance, arguing that while vertical living is essential, it must be paired with other strategies. Body paragraphs provide strong, well-supported arguments. For instance, the discussion on land-constrained environments in cities like Tokyo and Mumbai effectively highlights the economic and efficiency benefits of vertical construction. Similarly, the counterargument regarding exorbitant purchase prices and infrastructure strain is thoroughly explored. Ideas are well-extended with relevant examples drawn from general knowledge, meeting the criteria for a high band performance without any major omissions.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear and logical progression of ideas throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with a strong thesis statement, moving through balanced body paragraphs examining both sides of the issue, and culminating in a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are managed very well without feeling mechanical or obtrusive, as seen with transitional phrases like 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Consequently'. Paragraphing is used skillfully and appropriately to separate distinct arguments, ensuring the reader can follow the writer's line of reasoning effortlessly.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The writer displays a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic response. Less common lexical items and collocations are used with skill and precision, such as 'rapid urbanization', 'exorbitant land prices', 'finite spatial footprints', and 'hyper-dense residential clusters'. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate throughout the text. There are only occasional minor limitations or slips, which do not detract from the overall sophistication of the language. The register is consistently formal and well-suited to an Academic Task 2 essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response features a wide variety of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of flexibility and control. The writer skillfully incorporates participial phrases, conditional ideas, and relative clauses, such as 'While some argue that constructing high-rise apartment complexes represents...' and 'By investing in high-speed rail and decentralized commercial zones, governments can encourage...'. The majority of sentences are entirely error-free, and grammar and punctuation are handled with strong control. Any minor slips are extremely rare and non-systematic, meaning communication is never impeded.

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

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