Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
It is often argued by some people that more tall buildings with more flats should be constructed because it is the best way to provide people with more residential opportunities. Although there may be some arguments against it, I completely agree with this statement because tall apartment blocks use limited land efficiently and allow people to live near their workplaces.
One primary reason why I hold this view is that tall apartments can house many more people while utilizing limited land. This is mainly because big cities have little free space, and building upwards can build numerous residential blocks within less space. For example, a 30-storey building can provide homes for hundreds of families on a plot that would fit only few houses. As a result, cities can provide more housing facilities while protecting the surrounding countryside.
Another importamnt reason is that tall
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The response clearly presents a position in the introduction, agreeing that tall apartment blocks are the best way to provide housing. However, the length requirement of 250 words is not met, as the text stops abruptly at 143 words while attempting to write a second body paragraph ('Another importamnt reason is that tall...'). Because the response is significantly under-length and incomplete, the ideas cannot be fully developed or extended, pulling the score down. In terms of content, the student does present relevant main ideas regarding efficient land use and proximity to workplaces, but the truncation severely limits task achievement. To improve, ensure you complete both body paragraphs and a conclusion, keeping well above the minimum word limit.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay demonstrates a clear organisational structure in the introduction and first body paragraph, using cohesive devices such as 'Although there may be', 'One primary reason', and 'As a result'. Paragraphing is attempted appropriately, with a clear introductory paragraph followed by body paragraphs. However, because the essay cuts off mid-sentence in the second body paragraph ('Another importamnt reason is that tall'), overall progression cannot be fully evaluated. Within the text that is completed, logical sequencing is sound, but the incomplete nature of the response restricts its coherence score. To achieve a higher band, write complete paragraphs that fully develop your arguments and lead to a logical conclusion.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, with appropriate expressions such as 'residential opportunities', 'utilizing limited land', and 'surrounding countryside'. There are some basic vocabulary choices ('big cities', 'less space'), but the language is generally natural. However, there is a spelling error in the final visible sentence ('importamnt'), which points to a minor slip in accuracy. To push into higher bands, the writer should incorporate less common lexical items and precise academic collocations rather than relying on simpler descriptive terms.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response shows a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating good control over basic grammar. Examples of complex structures include 'It is often argued by some people that more tall buildings... because it is the best way...' and concessive clauses such as 'Although there may be some arguments against it...'. Grammar and punctuation are generally accurate in the completed sentences, and communication is never impeded by errors. The main limitation is the lack of a wider range of advanced grammatical structures and the abrupt truncation due to length. For a higher score, ensure consistent control over complex structures across a fully developed essay.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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