Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-02

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 8.0)

Urban migration is growing rapidly, leading to severe housing shortages in many major metropolitan areas. Some people argue that constructing high-rise apartment blocks is the ultimate solution to this crisis. While building vertically offers significant advantages in terms of space efficiency, I believe it is only a partial solution and must be combined with other urban planning strategies to create truly livable cities.

On the one hand, high-rise buildings are undeniably effective at maximizing land use. In densely populated cities like Tokyo or New York, where horizontal space is extremely limited and expensive, building upwards allows developers to house thousands of residents within a relatively small footprint. Furthermore, tall apartment complexes make the provision of public services much easier. It is far more cost-effective to supply electricity, water, and waste management to a single skyscraper than to hundreds of spread-out suburban homes. Additionally, high-density living often supports efficient public transport networks, reducing the need for private cars.

On the other hand, relying exclusively on skyscrapers creates serious social and environmental drawbacks. Living in very tall buildings can sometimes lead to a sense of isolation and a lack of community spirit, particularly for families with children who miss having private green spaces like yards. From an environmental perspective, massive concrete structures consume enormous amounts of energy during construction and often block natural sunlight and airflow from reaching the streets below. A better approach is often "smart density"—a mix of medium-rise apartments, townhouses, and preserved green areas, similar to the successful housing models seen in cities like Copenhagen.

In conclusion, while building tall apartment blocks is a crucial tool for tackling urban housing shortages because it saves land and cuts infrastructure costs, it should not be the only strategy. Cities need a balanced approach that combines high-rise buildings with medium-density housing and public parks to ensure both housing availability and a high quality of life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

The response covers all parts of the prompt exceptionally well, maintaining a clear and well-developed position throughout. The writer addresses the statement about tall apartment blocks by acknowledging both sides of the argument before presenting a nuanced view that they are a partial solution. Ideas are well extended with relevant examples and logical reasoning, such as citing high-density cities like Tokyo and New York to support the advantages of vertical building, and Copenhagen for smart density alternatives. The arguments are fully sustained from the introductory paragraph through to a well-rounded conclusion, reflecting a high level of task fulfillment with only minor elements that could be even further expanded for the highest possible band.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

Ideas are logically sequenced and the progression of the argument is smooth and easy to follow. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with distinct paragraphs dedicated to the introduction, the advantages of high-rises, the drawbacks, and the conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Furthermore', and 'Additionally' are managed skillfully and naturally without feeling mechanical. Reference words are handled correctly throughout the text, ensuring that the connection between sentences remains transparent and seamless.

Lexical Resource: Band 8.0

The writer demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary, successfully incorporating uncommon lexical items with precision and style. Expressions such as 'urban migration', 'space efficiency', 'footprint', and 'smart density' show a strong command of topic-specific vocabulary. There is skillful use of collocation, and word choices are consistently appropriate for an academic context. Only occasional, very minor inaccuracies could be noted, but the overall lexical control remains robust and supports the fluent delivery of ideas.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of complex structures, including conditional clauses, participial phrases, and concessive clauses, such as 'In densely populated cities like Tokyo or New York, where horizontal space is extremely limited and expensive...'. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, and the writer demonstrates excellent control over verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, articles, and punctuation. Where minor slips might occur, they are extremely rare and do not impede communication in any way, maintaining a high level of grammatical precision.

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