Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · 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 8.0)

The rapid growth of urban populations has created a serious shortage of housing in many large cities. Some people argue that the best solution is to construct tall apartment blocks. I partly agree with this view because high-rise buildings can accommodate many people in a limited area, but they are not the only effective solution.

One major advantage of tall apartment buildings is that they make efficient use of limited urban land. In densely populated cities, land is expensive and often scarce. Building vertically allows thousands of people to live in a relatively small area while leaving more space for parks, roads, and public facilities. For example, cities such as Singapore and Hong Kong have successfully used high-rise residential buildings to accommodate large populations. In addition, apartments can be located close to workplaces and public transport, which can reduce commuting times and traffic congestion.

However, relying entirely on high-rise buildings can create several problems. Very large apartment complexes may become overcrowded and place considerable pressure on electricity, water, sewage systems, schools, and hospitals. Moreover, some residents may find living in tall buildings less comfortable, particularly families with young children who may prefer houses with gardens or open spaces. High-rise developments can also be expensive to construct and maintain, meaning that they may not always provide affordable housing for lower-income families.

Therefore, governments should consider other approaches alongside apartment blocks. Developing smaller residential buildings in less densely populated areas, improving public transportation, and encouraging housing development in surrounding suburbs can help distribute the population more evenly. For instance, if reliable transport connects suburban areas to city centres, people can live outside the most crowded parts of a city without facing long and difficult journeys.

In conclusion, tall apartment blocks are an effective way to address housing shortages because they use land efficiently and accommodate large numbers of people. However, they should not be considered the single best solution. A combination of high-rise housing, suburban development, and improved infrastructure is more likely to provide sufficient and sustainable homes in large cities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

The student fully addresses all parts of the task by clearly stating a balanced position ('I partly agree with this view') and exploring both the advantages of tall apartment blocks and alternative solutions. Ideas are well developed and supported with relevant examples, such as mentioning Singapore and Hong Kong to illustrate efficient urban land use. The arguments regarding infrastructure pressure and lifestyle preferences are logical and extended appropriately, meeting all the criteria for a high band level in Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The response demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from the introduction to supporting arguments, counter-arguments, alternatives, and a well-synthesised conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively and flexibly without being intrusive, as seen through markers like 'One major advantage', 'However', and 'Therefore'. Paragraphing is fully appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity and readability of the essay.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The student uses a sufficient and generally precise range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic essay. Less common lexical items such as 'densely populated', 'infrastructure', 'traffic congestion', and 'sustainable homes' are integrated naturally and accurately. Word choice and collocations are largely correct, although the range is slightly restricted in terms of truly advanced, sophisticated idiomatic expressions, which prevents it from reaching the highest band. Nevertheless, communication is entirely smooth and precise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures alongside simple sentences, maintaining a high proportion of error-free sentences. The student effectively uses conditional structures ('if reliable transport connects suburban areas...', 'if thousands of people to live...') and relative clauses. Control of grammar and punctuation is strong throughout, with only occasional minor slips that never impede communication or strain the reader.

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