Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

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

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 placed considerable pressure on housing in major cities, prompting some people to advocate the construction of tall apartment blocks as the most effective solution. While high-rise developments can undoubtedly help address housing shortages, I believe they should form part of a broader urban-planning strategy rather than be considered the best solution in isolation.

The strongest argument for high-rise housing is its ability to maximize the use of scarce urban land. In densely populated cities, where land prices are exceptionally high, constructing upwards allows a substantial number of households to be accommodated on relatively small plots. This can also enable governments to preserve valuable land for parks, schools and other public facilities. Moreover, high-rise developments can be concentrated around public-transport networks, allowing residents to live closer to employment centers and reducing lengthy daily commutes.

Nevertheless, an excessive reliance on apartment towers can create significant social and infrastructural problems. Very high population density can place considerable strain on transport systems, healthcare and educational facilities. Furthermore, apartments may offer limited privacy and outdoor space, which can be particularly unsuitable for larger families. A more balanced approach would therefore include medium-density housing and carefully planned suburban communities, provided that these areas are connected to employment centers and essential services.

In conclusion, tall apartment blocks are an efficient response to housing shortages, particularly where land is limited and expensive. However, describing them as the single best way to provide housing overlooks the diverse needs of urban populations. In my view, combining high-rise development with medium-density and suburban housing would create a more sustainable and livable urban environment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by exploring the extent to which tall apartment blocks are the best solution for urban housing shortages. The writer takes a clear and well-developed position in the introduction, stating that high-rises should form part of a broader strategy rather than being viewed in isolation. This stance is maintained consistently throughout the essay. Body paragraph two explores the arguments in favour of high-rises, such as land maximisation and proximity to public transport, citing points like 'preserve valuable land for parks'. Body paragraph three presents counter-arguments, focusing on infrastructural strain and a lack of privacy. The conclusion successfully synthesises these ideas. The response meets all criteria for a Band 8 by presenting a well-developed argument with only rare minor omissions in extended support.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are coherently linked across the text. Paragraphing is used very effectively; each paragraph has a clear central topic, starting with an introduction, moving to advantages, then disadvantages, and concluding with a balanced view. Cohesive devices are managed skilfully without being obtrusive, using words and phrases like 'Furthermore', 'Nevertheless', and 'In conclusion' naturally. Referencing is clear throughout, as seen in expressions like 'This can also enable governments' and 'such areas are connected'. The response easily meets the standards for Band 7, with elements reaching Band 8 due to the seamless management of logical progression and cohesive flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The student displays a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic discussion on urban planning. Less common lexical items are used skilfully, including phrases such as 'Rapid urbanization', 'dense population cities', 'infrastructural problems', and 'sustainable and livable urban environment'. Word choice and collocations are generally precise, for instance, 'place considerable strain on transport systems' and 'diverse needs of urban populations'. There are only occasional minor inaccuracies, but these do not impede communication in any way. Spelling and word formation are entirely accurate throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay exhibits a wide range of complex grammatical structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The writer successfully employs conditional and participial clauses, such as 'provided that these areas are connected to employment centers' and 'describing them as the single best way to provide housing overlooks...'. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, demonstrating excellent control of punctuation, verb tenses, and agreement. Minor slips are virtually non-existent, and the complex syntax flows naturally without causing any difficulty for the reader. This performance comfortably aligns with the Band 8 descriptor where the majority of sentences are error-free.

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