Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-29

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)

In many major cities, rapid population growth and rising demand for housing have created significant pressure on available land. Some people therefore argue that constructing tall apartment buildings is the most effective way to provide sufficient homes. I largely agree with this view because high-rise developments allow urban populations to be accommodated efficiently, although they should be combined with careful planning and alternative forms of housing.

The primary advantage of tall apartment blocks is that they make much more efficient use of limited urban land. Unlike low-rise housing, which requires large areas of land to accommodate relatively small populations, high-rise buildings can provide hundreds of homes on a comparatively small site. This is particularly important in densely populated cities where land is scarce and extremely expensive. By building upwards rather than outwards, authorities can increase the housing supply without continually expanding the boundaries of the city. As a result, more people can live relatively close to employment centres and essential services.

Another benefit is that high-density housing can support more efficient urban infrastructure. When large numbers of residents live within a relatively concentrated area, public transport, schools, hospitals and other services can be provided more efficiently. Moreover, reducing urban sprawl can help preserve land on the outskirts of cities for agriculture, recreation and natural habitats. However, simply constructing more high-rise buildings does not guarantee an adequate supply of suitable housing. Poorly designed developments can create overcrowding, insufficient green space and pressure on existing infrastructure. Therefore, high-rise construction needs to be accompanied by adequate transport links, public amenities and open spaces.

In conclusion, I agree that tall apartment blocks are one of the most effective ways to address housing shortages in large cities because they maximise the use of scarce land and facilitate efficient urban development. Nevertheless, they should form part of a broader housing strategy rather than being treated as a complete solution on their own.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. The student takes a clear, well-supported position ('I largely agree with this view') in the introduction and maintains it consistently throughout the essay. The idea of building tall apartment blocks is thoroughly explored by examining both the efficiency of land use and the support for urban infrastructure, while also conceding and addressing potential drawbacks such as overcrowding and the need for proper planning. Ideas are well-extended with relevant examples and logical reasoning, meeting the Band 8 standard for this criterion by covering all parts of the task well and developing ideas fully without notable omissions.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

Ideas are logically sequenced and progress naturally from the introduction to the advantages of land efficiency, infrastructural benefits, necessary caveats, and a concise conclusion. Paragraphing is used effectively and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct sub-topic. Cohesive devices are managed well without being overly mechanical, using linking phrases such as 'The primary advantage', 'Unlike low-rise housing', 'Moreover', and 'However' to guide the reader smoothly through the argument. Referencing is clear throughout, earning a solid Band 7.5 or 8 for cohesive flow and logical structuring.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary suitable for an academic essay. Phrases such as 'rapid population growth', 'densely populated cities', 'urban sprawl', and 'infrastructure' show an ability to use less common lexical items with good awareness of style and collocation. Word choices are precise, and spelling is accurate throughout. While it occasionally relies on standard academic collocations rather than more sophisticated, rare idiomatic terms that might push it into the highest bands, the vocabulary is flexible and precise enough to meet the Band 7.5 standard comfortably.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of structures, successfully incorporating both complex and compound sentences alongside clear simple forms. Examples include concessive clauses ('although they should be combined with...'), conditional-like contexts ('When large numbers of residents live...'), and participial phrases ('By building upwards rather than outwards...'). The majority of sentences are completely error-free, with excellent control of punctuation and tense consistency. Grammatical control is strong, demonstrating the frequent error-free sentences and flexible complex structures required for a Band 8.

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