Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-05

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 5.5)

Some people believe that the best method to provide enough houses in large metropolitan areas is to construct tall apartment blocks. I strongly agree with this view mainly because apartments require less space than separate homes and provides many facilities to people.

The main reason I agree with this statement is that apartment blocks allow people to own house in relatively less price. This is particularly because in big cities lands are a bit costly and own a house may be difficult. For example, some people prefer to live in an apartment than a house because it is less expensive and provides many facilities. Moreover, apartment blocks help large cities in utlilize lands for other porposes such as schools and hospitals. Therefore, apartment buildings may be helpful to provide enough houses in urban areas where land is very expensive.

Another compelling reason is that apartments provides many facilities to residents such as security and protection. Furthermore, many apartment buildings are situated in the center of a city, which allows them to have access to other places like supermarkets. For instance, some young people may want to live the place near to their offices. Consequently, apartments are an appropriate way to provide enough homes in large cities with many facilities.

In conclusion, I firmly agree with this view because apartment blocks are less expensive and provides many facilities to residents such as shoppping malls. For these reasons, I believe construction of apartment blocks is a best method to provide homes in big cities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses the prompt by taking a clear, albeit somewhat repetitive, position that tall apartment blocks are the best solution for housing shortages in large cities. However, the length requirement is not met, as the response contains 244 words (with 8 words copied from the task prompt excluded), falling short of the 250-word minimum. While the ideas are relevant, they tend to be under-developed and circular. For example, the student repeatedly mentions that apartments provide 'many facilities' and are 'less expensive' without providing deeper elaboration or varied supporting arguments. To reach the next band, the response needs to extend ideas more fully and ensure the word count minimum is comfortably exceeded.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement with a clear paragraphing structure introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical and repetitive. Words and phrases like 'moreover', 'furthermore', and 'consequently' are used to link sentences, but referencing is occasionally unclear or repetitive, such as the constant reiteration of apartments providing 'many facilities'. Logical progression is present, though ideas loop back on themselves rather than building progressively. To achieve a higher band, the writer should employ a wider and more flexible range of cohesive devices and ensure that referencing is smoother and less repetitive.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, demonstrating a minimally sufficient range to convey basic ideas about urban housing. The student attempts some less common vocabulary, such as 'metropolitan areas', 'compelling reason', and 'utlilize lands', but this is accompanied by noticeable errors in word choice, spelling ('utlilize', 'porposes', 'shoppping'), and word form ('own a house' instead of 'owning a house', 'less price' instead of 'a lower price'). These lexical inaccuracies occasionally cause slight strain for the reader. To move up to a higher band, the writer needs to expand their lexical repertoire, improve word formation, and ensure accurate spelling and collocation throughout.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response exhibits a limited range of sentence structures, relying heavily on simple and moderately complex forms, with attempts at complex sentences often containing grammatical errors. Frequent errors include subject-verb agreement issues (e.g., 'apartments provides' instead of 'apartments provide', 'land are' instead of 'land is'), article errors (e.g., 'is a best method'), and prepositions. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are noticeable and occur with some frequency. To reach the next band, the writer should increase the variety of error-free complex structures and ensure tighter control over basic grammatical agreements and article usage.

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

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