Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-17

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)

As the population of major cities continues to grow, providing adequate housing has become an increasingly important challenge. Some people argue that constructing tall apartment blocks is the most effective way to address this problem. I largely agree with this view because high-rise housing makes efficient use of limited urban land, although it should be accompanied by appropriate infrastructure and other forms of residential development.

The main advantage of high-rise apartment buildings is that they allow a large number of people to live within a relatively small area. Land in major urban centres is often scarce and expensive, making the construction of individual houses an inefficient use of space. By developing vertically, governments and private developers can significantly increase residential capacity without expanding cities into surrounding agricultural or undeveloped areas. For example, in densely populated cities such as Mumbai, high-rise residential complexes can accommodate hundreds of families on a single plot of land. This can help alleviate housing shortages while also limiting urban sprawl.

However, relying exclusively on tall buildings may create other urban problems if population growth is not supported by adequate infrastructure. A high concentration of residents can place considerable pressure on roads, public transport, schools, hospitals and water supplies. In addition, poorly planned high-density neighbourhoods may lack sufficient parks and other open spaces, potentially reducing residents' quality of life. For this reason, constructing apartment blocks should form part of a broader urban-planning strategy. Governments could also develop affordable housing in suburban areas while improving public transport links between these communities and city centres.

In conclusion, I largely agree that high-rise apartment buildings are an efficient way to increase the supply of housing in large cities, particularly where land is limited. Nevertheless, they should not be regarded as a standalone solution. A combination of vertical development, suburban housing and investment in public infrastructure is more appropriate for meeting the long-term housing needs of growing urban populations.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. The writer takes a clear, well-supported position ('I largely agree with this view because high-rise housing makes efficient use of limited urban land') and maintains it throughout the essay. The main body paragraphs explore both sides of the argument effectively: the benefits of vertical housing, such as maximizing space and mitigating urban sprawl, are balanced thoughtfully against potential drawbacks like strained infrastructure and lack of open spaces. Ideas are well-extended with relevant explanations and examples, such as referencing Mumbai to illustrate high-density accommodation. The conclusions drawn are logical and directly flow from the arguments presented. The task response comfortably aligns with the Band 8 descriptor standards.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

Cohesion is well-managed, presenting a clear logical progression throughout the text. The essay follows a traditional, highly effective four-paragraph structure comprising an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a clear central topic sentence, such as 'The main advantage of high-rise apartment buildings is...' and 'However, relying exclusively on tall buildings may create other urban problems...'. Cohesive devices are used naturally and flexibly without being intrusive, including transitional phrases like 'For example', 'In addition', 'For this reason', and 'In conclusion'. Referencing and substitution are handled smoothly, ensuring that information and ideas are linked logically and seamlessly across the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible lexical resource suitable for an academic response. There is a strong command of less common and topic-specific vocabulary used naturally and precisely, such as 'adequate housing', 'urban centres', 'residential capacity', 'agricultural or undeveloped areas', 'urban sprawl', and 'standalone solution'. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate, and spelling is flawless. While there might be occasional opportunities to incorporate even more sophisticated idiomatic expressions or academic nuances, the current range is robust, allowing the writer to convey precise meanings effortlessly. This places the lexical performance firmly in the Band 8 territory.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The writer displays a wide range of grammatical structures with a high degree of accuracy. The essay features a strong mix of complex and compound sentences, such as concessive clauses ('although it should be accompanied by...') and participial phrases ('making the construction of individual houses an inefficient use of space'). The majority of sentences are completely error-free, and control over punctuation, tense consistency, and subject-verb agreement is excellent. Minor non-systematic slips are virtually absent. The command of grammar easily meets the criteria for Band 8, where the majority of sentences are error-free and complex structures are handled with flexibility and control.

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