Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-23

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)

The rapid growth of urban populations has created a significant demand for housing in many major cities. Some people argue that constructing tall apartment buildings is the most effective way to provide sufficient homes. While I agree that high-rise developments can play an important role in addressing housing shortages, I believe they should be combined with other approaches.

One major advantage of building high-rise apartments is that they allow a large number of people to live in a relatively small area. As land availability in large cities is often limited and expensive, expanding vertically can be a practical solution. For example, cities such as Hong Kong and Singapore have successfully used high-density residential buildings to accommodate millions of residents despite having limited space. Therefore, constructing taller buildings can significantly increase housing supply without requiring large areas of additional land.

However, relying solely on apartment blocks may create several problems. Extremely dense residential areas can lead to overcrowding, reduced access to green spaces, and a lower quality of life for residents. In addition, not everyone prefers living in high-rise buildings, particularly families who may require larger homes and outdoor areas. Consequently, governments should also consider other strategies, such as developing suburban housing, improving public transportation, and converting unused urban spaces into residential areas.

In conclusion, although tall apartment buildings are an efficient way to increase housing capacity in large cities, they are not a complete solution on their own. A combination of high-rise developments and other housing policies is necessary to create sustainable urban environments.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by presenting a clear position and supporting it with relevant arguments. The writer takes a nuanced stance, agreeing that tall apartment blocks are crucial while arguing they must be combined with other approaches. Ideas are well developed, supported by appropriate examples such as Hong Kong and Singapore. The conclusion directly follows from the premises and reinforces the balanced viewpoint. The response meets all task requirements with a clear, well-supported argument throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

Ideas are logically sequenced and progress naturally throughout the response. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, starting with an introduction of the issue and the writer's stance, followed by body paragraphs exploring advantages and drawbacks respectively, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'One major advantage', 'However', 'In addition', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader without being obtrusive. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, contributing to the overall coherence of the essay.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The writer demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic discussion on urban housing. Less common lexical items such as 'urban populations', 'housing shortages', 'high-density residential buildings', and 'sustainable urban environments' are used accurately. Word choice and collocations are natural for the most part, though some phrases lean towards standard academic commonplaces. Spelling and word formation are entirely correct, allowing the message to be communicated with precision and ease.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The response exhibits a good variety of complex sentence structures, including conditional or concessive clauses ('While I agree that...', 'As land availability in large cities is often limited...') and participial phrases ('expanding vertically can be a practical solution'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and control over grammar and punctuation is strong throughout. Minor slips are virtually absent, and the grammatical control supports the clear delivery of complex ideas, warranting a high band score in this category.

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