Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-30

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 idea that building high-rise apartment blocks is the best solution to urban housing shortages is widely debated. Although vertical development is necessary in crowded cities, I only partially agree with this view because it ignores important social and infrastructure issues.

Admittedly, tall buildings offer a practical solution to land scarcity. In cities like Tokyo or Singapore, where expanding outward is difficult, high-density apartment towers make the best use of limited space. These towers can house thousands of people in a small area. Furthermore, living vertically can make public transport and utility systems more efficient, which lowers per-person costs and stops cities from spreading into farmland.

However, calling high-rises the "best" solution is an oversimplification. Relying only on tall buildings can cause problems like social isolation, a lack of natural sunlight, and extra pressure on local schools and hospitals. More importantly, good housing is not just about building many apartments; it must also be affordable and comfortable to live in long-term. Other helpful solutions include renovating old industrial buildings into homes, encouraging medium-density housing such as townhouses, and changing zoning laws to allow mixed-use neighborhoods. In addition, without strict price rules, new high-rises often target wealthy investors instead of low- or middle-income families, making income gaps worse.

In conclusion, while tall apartment blocks are an essential part of city housing plans, they are not enough on their own. A successful strategy must combine different types of housing with fair policies to ensure cities are both livable and sustainable.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, taking a clear partial stance in the introduction and maintaining it throughout. The writer explores both the advantages of vertical development, such as land scarcity management and efficiency, and its drawbacks, including social issues and infrastructure strain. Ideas are supported with relevant examples like Tokyo and Singapore. However, a strict length check reveals that the essay contains 248 words, falling just two words short of the 250-word minimum requirement. In accordance with IELTS regulations, a minor penalty must be applied for length, restricting the score for Task Achievement to a 6.0, despite the strong content and well-developed arguments.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

Coherence and cohesion are managed to a good standard throughout the essay. The response demonstrates a clear overall progression, moving smoothly from the introduction to supporting paragraphs that discuss advantages and disadvantages, and concluding with a balanced summary. Paragraphing is used logically, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central theme. Cohesive devices are employed effectively and naturally, using phrases like 'Admittedly', 'Furthermore', and 'In addition' to guide the reader through the argumentation. Referencing is clear, and the relationship between ideas is transparent, easily meeting the expectations for a Band 7.0 in this criterion.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The student demonstrates an adequate and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic discussion on urban planning. Less common lexical items are used with some awareness of style and collocation, such as 'vertical development', 'land scarcity', 'high-density', 'social isolation', and 'mixed-use neighborhoods'. Word choice is generally precise, and spelling is accurate throughout. Although the vocabulary is sufficiently broad to allow for some precision, it occasionally relies on standard academic phrases rather than highly sophisticated or nuanced idiomatic control, which places it firmly in the Band 7.0 category.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The writer displays a good variety of complex structures and achieves frequent error-free sentences. Examples of complex grammar include concessive clauses ('Although vertical development is necessary...') and relative clauses ('...where expanding outward is difficult...'). Control of grammar and punctuation is strong throughout, and there are no systematic errors that impede communication. While the range of structures is varied and controlled, minor slips or limitations keep it just below the threshold for an 8.0, making a Band 7.0 the most accurate reflection of the student's grammatical performance.

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