Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-19

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 7.0)

Today, big cities around the world are growing very fast. Because of this, there is a big shortage of land and houses are becoming too expensive. I agree that building tall apartment blocks is a great way to save space. However, I also believe that cities must build good train systems and smaller towns nearby so that people have a better life.On the one hand, tall buildings are necessary because they save a lot of land. In crowded city centers, land is limited and costs too much money. By building upward instead of outward, one tall building can give homes to hundreds of families on a very small piece of ground. For example, crowded places like Hong Kong have solved their housing problems by building tall apartments. This also stops the city from destroying nearby forests and farms.On the other hand, only building tall apartments can cause problems if the city is not planned well. When too many people live in one small area, the roads get blocked with traffic, and public services get overloaded. Therefore, the best way is to build tall apartments directly next to train stations. This allows people to walk out of their homes and take public transport easily. Also, governments should build smaller towns outside the main city and connect them with fast trains so people do not all crowd into the center.In conclusion, building tall apartment blocks is a very useful way to give people homes. However, it is not the only solution. To make cities successful, governments must mix tall buildings with good transport networks and new towns outside the city.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response successfully addresses all parts of the prompt, taking a clear and balanced position regarding whether tall apartment blocks are the best solution for housing shortages in large cities. The student provides a well-developed argument, agreeing that high-rises save space and prevent urban sprawl, while also introducing nuanced counter-arguments regarding infrastructure and decentralisation. Ideas are extended with relevant examples, such as mentioning Hong Kong to illustrate the effectiveness of high-density living. The overall perspective is maintained consistently throughout the essay, demonstrating a strong understanding of the task requirements and meeting all criteria for a Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay presents a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are coherently linked, starting with a clear introduction that outlines the writer's position, followed by distinct body paragraphs handling different sides of the argument ("On the one hand", "On the other hand"), and a summary conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively, including transition words and phrases like "Consequently", "Therefore", and "Also". Paragraphing is managed appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a central theme, contributing to the overall smooth flow of the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates an adequate to sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, allowing for some flexibility and precision. Phrases such as "urban sprawl", "housing shortage", "public services get overloaded", and "transport networks" illustrate an appropriate use of less common items related to urban planning. While there are some repeated words like "big" and "tall", the lexical choices are generally accurate and appropriate for the context. Errors in word choice are very rare, ensuring that communication is clear and effective throughout the piece.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms. The student successfully incorporates complex structures such as subordinate clauses (e.g., "Because of this, there is a big shortage...") and conditional ideas. There is good control of grammar and punctuation, with frequent error-free sentences. Minor errors are occasional and do not impede communication at all. The control over sentence boundaries and structural variety places this response comfortably in the Band 7 category for grammar.

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