Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-01

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, the demand for housing is increasing rapidly due to population growth and urbanisation. Some people believe that constructing tall apartment buildings is the most effective way to address this issue. While I agree that high-rise buildings can provide more accommodation, I believe that other housing solutions are also necessary.

On the one hand, building tall apartment blocks offers several advantages. The most significant benefit is that they can accommodate a large number of people within a limited area of land. This is particularly important in crowded cities where available space is becoming increasingly scarce. Furthermore, apartments can be constructed near workplaces, schools and public transportation, allowing residents to save time and money on commuting. As a result, high-rise buildings can contribute to more efficient urban development.

On the other hand, relying entirely on tall buildings is not an ideal solution. Firstly, constructing and maintaining high-rise apartments can be extremely expensive, making them unaffordable for low-income families. Secondly, overcrowding in these buildings may lead to problems such as noise pollution, limited privacy and pressure on public facilities. In addition, governments could consider developing affordable housing in suburban areas, improving existing residential buildings and encouraging the construction of medium-sized houses. These approaches could provide more housing options while maintaining a better quality of life.

In conclusion, although I believe that tall apartment blocks are an effective way to increase housing capacity in large cities, I do not consider them the only or best solution in every situation. A combination of high-rise buildings, affordable housing projects and improved urban planning would be a more sustainable approach to addressing the housing shortage.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by presenting a clear position throughout the essay. The writer successfully discusses both sides of the issue—acknowledging the benefits of tall apartment blocks in addressing urban growth and high-density living, while also exploring alternative solutions such as affordable housing in suburban areas. Ideas are generally extended and well-supported, for instance when explaining how high-rise buildings save time and money on commuting due to their proximity to workplaces. However, there is a slight tendency to over-generalise regarding the problems of overcrowding like 'noise pollution' and 'limited privacy' without exploring specific examples, which keeps the response at this solid level rather than achieving full development of every point.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from the introduction to the advantages of high-rise living, the counterarguments and alternative solutions, and finally a balanced conclusion. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and appropriately, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Furthermore', and 'In addition', which guide the reader effortlessly through the argument. Paragraphing is managed effectively, ensuring that each main idea is isolated and developed in its own section. Referencing is clear and unambiguous throughout the text, contributing to a seamless flow of ideas.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The writer demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary that allows for flexibility and precision, such as 'urbanisation', 'scarce', 'efficient urban development', and 'sustainable approach'. Less common lexical items are used with some awareness of style and collocation, including phrases like 'increasing rapidly', 'limited area of land', and 'pressure on public facilities'. There are only occasional minor inaccuracies or common collocations, but vocabulary is generally well-chosen and appropriate for an academic context. Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout, allowing the reader to follow the arguments without any difficulty.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The response exhibits a wide range of complex structures used with a high degree of flexibility and control. The majority of sentences are error-free, featuring sophisticated syntactic elements such as conditional structures, gerund phrases, and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'While I agree that high-rise buildings can provide more accommodation, I believe that...'). Control of grammar and punctuation is strong throughout, with accurate verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, articles, and prepositions. Only very occasional minor slips occur, reflecting a high level of grammatical proficiency that underpins the entire essay.

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