Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-28

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)

The best way to provide enough homes in large cities is to build tall apartment blocks. I partly agree with this view because high-rise buildings can accommodate many people in a limited amount of land, but they are not the only solution.

On the one hand, constructing tall apartment blocks is an efficient way to deal with the shortage of housing in large cities. Land in urban areas is often expensive and limited, so building vertically allows more families to live in the same area. High-rise buildings can also reduce urban sprawl and leave more land available for parks, schools and other public facilities. In addition, if apartments are built near workplaces and public transport, residents may have shorter journeys and cities can reduce traffic congestion.

On the other hand, relying entirely on tall buildings can create several problems. High-density neighbourhoods may become overcrowded if there are not enough schools, hospitals, roads and recreational spaces. Some people may also find apartment living less comfortable than living in houses, particularly families with children. Furthermore, poorly planned high-rise developments can lead to social isolation and a lack of community facilities.

Therefore, although tall apartment blocks are an effective way to provide large numbers of homes, they should be part of a broader housing strategy. Cities should combine high-rise apartments with medium-rise buildings, affordable housing and well-planned suburban developments. Good public transport and sufficient schools, hospitals and green spaces are equally important. In conclusion, building upwards can significantly increase housing supply, but a mixture of approaches is likely to create more balanced and liveable cities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The student addresses all parts of the task thoroughly, presenting a clear position from the outset ("I partly agree with this view"). Both sides of the argument are explored effectively. The advantages of high-rise buildings are discussed in terms of efficient land use, reduced urban sprawl, and proximity to infrastructure, while the disadvantages are highlighted through concerns over overcrowding, social isolation, and family comfort. The ideas are well-extended and supported with relevant reasoning, aligning well with the Band 7 and Band 8 descriptors for task achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The response demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving smoothly from the introduction to the advantages ("On the one hand"), disadvantages ("On the other hand"), and a balanced conclusion ("Therefore"). Cohesive devices such as "In addition", "Furthermore", and "In conclusion" are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately, ensuring the text is easy to follow and cohesive.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with good flexibility and precision, suitable for an academic discussion. Phrases like "shortage of housing", "urban sprawl", "traffic congestion", and "social isolation" demonstrate a strong command of topic-specific vocabulary. There is also appropriate use of less common items with general awareness of collocation. Errors in word choice are virtually non-existent, making this a strong performance in lexical resource.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ("if apartments are built near workplaces") and concessive clauses ("although tall apartment blocks are an effective way"). The majority of sentences are grammatically accurate, and punctuation is handled well. While the grammatical structures are somewhat standard rather than wildly ambitious, the control demonstrated is firm, allowing for fluent reading without any interference from errors.

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

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