Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

The rapid growth of global urban populations has made providing adequate and affordable housing one of the most critical challenges for modern cities. While some argue that constructing tall apartment blocks is the ultimate solution to this crisis, I believe that while high-rise buildings are necessary to maximize limited space, they must be combined with broader urban planning strategies, such as decentralized development and improved infrastructure, to truly solve the problem.On the one hand, high-rise residential buildings offer an undeniable advantage in terms of spatial efficiency. Large metropolitan areas face severe land scarcity, which drives up property prices. By expanding vertically rather than horizontally, cities can accommodate thousands of residents on a relatively small geographic footprint. For example, cities like Singapore and Hong Kong have successfully utilized high-rise public housing models to ensure that the vast majority of their populations have access to shelter despite extreme space constraints. Furthermore, concentrating residents in high-density areas makes public utilities, waste management, and mass transit systems more efficient and cost-effective to operate.However, relying solely on tall apartment blocks can create significant social and infrastructural challenges. High-density living often puts immense strain on local resources, leading to overcrowded schools, congested roads, and overwhelmed healthcare facilities if development is not carefully managed. Additionally, poorly designed high-rises can result in a lack of green spaces and community areas, which can negatively impact the mental well-being and social cohesion of residents. In many cases, luxury high-rises are built instead of affordable ones, which does little to resolve the housing crisis for low- and middle-income families.Therefore, the best way to provide enough homes is not just to build upward, but to adopt a multi-faceted approach to urban development. Governments should invest in developing satellite towns and upgrading transportation networks, allowing people to live further away from the city center while remaining connected to economic hubs. Promoting mixed-use zoning—where residential, commercial, and recreational spaces coexist—can also create more sustainable and livable environments without relying exclusively on towering concrete blocks.In conclusion, while constructing tall apartment buildings is a highly effective and necessary tool for tackling housing shortages in space-constrained cities, it cannot be viewed as a standalone solution. To create truly sustainable cities, vertical growth must be balanced with infrastructural expansion, affordable housing policies, and decentralized urban planning.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The student has fully addressed all parts of the task by presenting a clear position on the extent to which they agree with the statement. The introduction successfully outlines a nuanced stance, arguing that while high-rise buildings are necessary, they must be combined with broader urban planning. The body paragraphs are well-developed, with the first exploring the spatial efficiency of tall buildings and citing examples such as Singapore and Hong Kong. The opposing viewpoint is also thoroughly examined, noting infrastructural strain and a lack of green spaces. Finally, the student proposes actionable alternatives like decentralized development and mixed-use zoning, demonstrating fully developed ideas throughout the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

Ideas are logically sequenced and progress naturally from introduction to body paragraphs and finally to a comprehensive conclusion. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct sub-theme (spatial efficiency, challenges of high-rises, and alternative solutions). Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', 'However', and 'Therefore' are employed flexibly to guide the reader smoothly through the arguments. Referencing and substitution are handled skillfully, ensuring that relationships between ideas remain transparent and cohesive throughout the entire essay without feeling mechanical.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The writer demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task. Less common lexical items are used skillfully and with good awareness of collocation and style, such as 'spatial efficiency', 'land scarcity', 'geographical footprint', 'public utilities', and 'decentralized development'. Word choice is precise throughout, and there are only occasional minor inaccuracies. The vocabulary successfully enhances the precision of the arguments and supports the sophisticated development of the topic.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The response features a wide and sophisticated range of grammatical structures. Complex sentences, conditional forms, and participial phrases are integrated naturally and accurately, as seen in sentences like 'By expanding vertically rather than horizontally, cities can accommodate thousands of residents...' and 'Promoting mixed-use zoning... can also create more sustainable and livable environments'. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, with only occasional minor flaws. Control over punctuation and syntax is robust, maintaining high clarity and precision.

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