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)
In recent times, metropolitan areas face catastrophic housing shortages and authorities need to solve this issue by working through a number of different strategies. Many people think that the best way to overcome this problem is to build high-rise residential buildings. While I agree with this viewpoint, it is not a standalone solution and can have serious issues if combined with some other strategies.
On the one hand, expanding upward can solve the issue as one high building block can accommodate hundreds of people on a small land area. For example, megacities like New York, Singapore and Shanghai have successfully fulfilled the need for houses by constructing multi-story apartment buildings, without using a massive amount of land and destroying green spaces.
On the other hand, these high-rise towers have solved the issue of providing homes to its residents but at the cost of constricting them to narrow-space apartments. For instance, people who live in tall buildings with no green spaces are more likely to become lonely and struggle with depression and other mental health issues. So, the best way to solve this problem is using a number of strategies. The government can use barren and isolated lands to build houses instead of building high-rise towers right next to each other. In this way, people can enjoy fresh air, feel connected to people and find spaces to unwind by nature.
In conclusion, tall buildings can be one solution to provide homes but it is not the only solution. The use of far spread lands that are left abandoned can also be used to provide people homes. A method with a combination of different strategies is the best way so people can live happily.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The student addresses all parts of the prompt, taking a clear stance that tall apartment blocks are a very useful solution to housing shortages, but should be combined with other approaches to avoid negative consequences. The position is maintained throughout the essay. Main ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples, such as referencing New York, Singapore, and Shanghai. However, the development in the body paragraphs tends toward generalization rather than deeper exploration, aligning best with Band 7 descriptors.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The essay displays a clear logical organization and progression throughout. The response opens with a well-defined introduction, moves through distinct 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand' body paragraphs, and finishes with a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'For example', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' are used appropriately to guide the reader. Paragraphing is logical, ensuring each new idea or counter-argument gets its own space. Cohesion is managed effectively, earning a solid Band 7.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision, utilizing terms such as 'metropolitan areas', 'catastrophic housing shortages', and 'multi-story apartment buildings'. There are occasional lapses in style and collocation, such as 'far spread lands' and 'use of barren and isolated lands', but these do not impede communication. Spelling and word choice are generally accurate, fitting comfortably within the Band 6.5 to 7.0 range, solidifying a Band 7 score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The writer produces a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating frequent error-free sentences alongside complex structures like 'While I agree with this viewpoint, it is not a standalone solution...'. Minor mechanical issues occur, such as 'provide homes to its residents' where the pronoun agreement slips slightly ('metropolitan areas' vs 'its'), but overall control of grammar and punctuation is good. The frequency and nature of errors match the Band 7 profile.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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