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 rapid growth of urban populations has created a serious shortage of housing in many large cities. Some people argue that the best way to address this problem is to construct tall apartment blocks. While I agree that high-rise buildings can provide a large number of homes in a limited area, I believe that other forms of housing should also be considered.

One major advantage of building tall apartment blocks is that they make efficient use of limited land. Land in large cities is often expensive and scarce, so constructing vertically allows thousands of people to live in a relatively small area. For example, a single high-rise building can provide accommodation for hundreds of families without occupying as much land as hundreds of individual houses. In addition, apartments can be built close to public transport, workplaces and essential services, which can reduce commuting times and traffic congestion.

However, relying entirely on high-rise buildings can create other problems. Very densely populated areas may experience overcrowding, noise and pressure on public services such as schools, hospitals and transportation. Furthermore, some people prefer houses with gardens or more private outdoor space, particularly families with young children. Therefore, cities should consider a mixture of housing types, including medium-rise apartments, townhouses and affordable suburban developments, where suitable.

In conclusion, I agree that tall apartment blocks are an important way of providing housing in large cities because they use land efficiently and can accommodate many people. Nevertheless, they should not be regarded as the only solution. A combination of high-rise and other forms of housing is likely to provide a more balanced response to urban housing shortages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The student has fully addressed all parts of the task by clearly stating a position in the introduction, discussing both the advantages of tall apartment blocks and the potential problems, and concluding with a balanced view. The main ideas are well developed with relevant explanations and examples, such as how high-rise buildings make efficient use of limited land and how they can reduce commuting times. The reasoning is logical and the stance remains clear throughout the entire essay, meeting all criteria for a Band 7.5 to 8.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

Cohesion and logical organisation are strong throughout the response. The essay is structured into four distinct, well-managed paragraphs, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs representing different aspects of the argument, and a clear conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'One major advantage', 'In addition', 'However', and 'Furthermore' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately, resulting in clear logical progression from start to finish.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic essay. Less common lexical items such as 'urban populations', 'housing shortage', 'vertically', 'traffic congestion', and 'densely populated' are used appropriately. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate, and spelling is correct throughout. While it does not consistently display the sophisticated, native-like nuance required for a Band 8, the vocabulary easily meets the criteria for Band 7.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The student exhibits a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, featuring subordinate clauses and participial phrases, such as 'While I agree that high-rise buildings can provide a large number of homes..., I believe that...'. The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled correctly. Control of grammar is strong, and there are only occasional minor limitations, placing this essay comfortably in the Band 7.5 range.

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

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