Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-27

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 large cities, high-rise apartment buildings should be constructed to provide accommodation for the growing urban population. As major cities generally offer better employment and economic opportunities, people from smaller towns and rural areas increasingly migrate to urban centres. Consequently, the demand for housing continues to rise, placing considerable pressure on limited urban land.

One of the principal advantages of constructing high-rise buildings is that they allow a large number of people to be accommodated without consuming excessive amounts of land. This is particularly important in major cities, where land is scarce and extremely expensive. Such developments can provide convenient housing for both permanent residents and people who relocate to cities for employment. Lahore, for instance, attracts a large number of people from other parts of Pakistan because of its educational, commercial and employment opportunities. As the urban population expands, agricultural land on the outskirts of the city is increasingly threatened by residential development. Building upwards rather than outwards could therefore help preserve valuable farmland, which is essential for food production and the national economy.

However, high-rise living can also have certain disadvantages. People who live in large apartment complexes may have fewer opportunities for outdoor activities and physical exercise, particularly if their buildings lack adequate recreational facilities. In addition, residents may have limited access to natural surroundings and direct sunlight compared with those living in low-rise housing. If high-density developments are poorly planned, they can also create problems such as overcrowding, traffic congestion and pressure on public services.

In conclusion, I agree that high-rise apartment buildings can play a significant role in addressing housing shortages because they enable cities to accommodate growing populations while reducing the need to consume additional land. Nevertheless, this approach should form part of a broader urban-planning strategy that includes sufficient green spaces, recreational facilities and efficient public services.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The student fully addresses all parts of the task by presenting a clear position and supporting it with well-developed ideas. The introduction establishes a clear stance on the need for high-rise apartment buildings in growing urban areas. Body paragraph one effectively discusses the advantages, citing the conservation of land and referencing Lahore to illustrate economic and educational migration. Body paragraph two provides a balanced view by examining the potential drawbacks, such as lack of outdoor space and increased pressure on infrastructure. The conclusion neatly reiterates the balanced stance, arguing that high-rises are beneficial provided they are supported by proper urban planning. The ideas are extended and supported thoroughly throughout the response, satisfying all criteria for a Band 7.0 or higher, demonstrating strong task response without any significant omissions.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with the introductory overview, moving to the benefits and a specific example, transitioning to the disadvantages, and finally culminating in a thoughtful conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'Consequently', 'One of the principal advantages', 'In addition', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is logical, sufficient, and appropriate. The referencing and substitution throughout the text are smooth, avoiding unnecessary repetition while maintaining a coherent overall arrangement. This meets the standards of a strong Band 7.5 or Band 8.0 for cohesion and paragraph structuring.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suitable for an academic response. Phrases such as 'growing urban population', 'considerable pressure', 'scarce and extremely expensive', and 'urban-planning strategy' show a good grasp of collocation and topic-specific lezicon. Less common lexical items are used with some awareness of style, for instance, 'agricultural land on the outskirts' and 'high-density developments'. There are occasional slight limitations, but overall the vocabulary is precise enough to convey subtle meanings without any impediment to communication. The lexical control is consistent throughout, allowing the writer to articulate complex ideas clearly, easily placing this response in the Band 7.0 range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The essay features a wide variety of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The student successfully employs dependent clauses, conditional structures ('If high-density developments are poorly planned...'), and participial phrases ('Building upwards rather than outwards could therefore help...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout. Grammar and punctuation control remain strong from the opening sentence to the conclusion, with only very rare, minor imperfections that do not disrupt the flow of reading. This level of syntactic variety and precise error-free control strongly aligns with the Band 8.0 descriptors for grammatical range and accuracy.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.