Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-09

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 5.0)

The best way to provide enough homes in big cities is to build tall apartment blocks. Although both views have some merits, I strongly believe that construct large apartments in big cities because it provides residential places to people in enough place.

On the one hand, there are compelling arguments as to why some people believe that tall buildings are much better because numerous people live in spacific place. Nowadays, individuals cannot afford a separate house because it is expensive and has limited space. When some guests are come in the house than their is enough space for them to stay. For example, a family migrate from rural area to urban area for better education and other facilities, however, they cannot afford a single home with other responsibilities. Then people usually prefer to stay in apartment blocks.

Conversely, opponent argument that in big cities, urban planning is a good way to organise the cities. It allows public services for people such as hospitals, shopping malls, educational sectors and large apartments blocks. High-rise buildings cannot solve the housing shortage. For instance, some people cannot afford to live in apartments with their young children. However, they want private place than staying in apartments.

In conclusion, I agree that large buildings are an effective way to provide many houses in a sufficient place because they maximise the use of limited land. It is recommended that high-rise buildings are the best option to affordable housing, effective unban planning and adequate public services.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You give a clear overall view in the introduction and conclusion: you support high-rise housing because it uses limited land. The response also includes relevant points about affordability, space and public services. However, the discussion only partially develops the question of whether tall apartment blocks are the best way to provide enough homes. The opposing point about people wanting private space is mentioned but not explained or weighed against your position, and the example about guests does not clearly support the housing argument. The response is 240 words, so it is 10 words below the required minimum; this limits the space available to develop your reasons. Explain how high-rise construction increases housing supply and support each main point with a more directly relevant example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

Your response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, two contrasting body paragraphs and a conclusion. Linking phrases such as “On the one hand,” “Conversely,” and “In conclusion” help signal the stages of the argument. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear: the example about guests follows a point about affordability and limited space without showing how it connects. The contrast paragraph also moves from urban planning and public services to affordability and privacy without a clear relationship between these ideas. Some connections are mechanical, and “Although both views have some merits” does not clearly identify the views being compared. Organise each paragraph around one main claim, then explain and illustrate it before moving to the next point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some topic-related vocabulary, including “residential places,” “urban planning,” “public services,” and “housing shortage,” so the reader can follow the general subject. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or unclear, such as “in enough place,” “spacific place,” and “educational sectors.” Spelling errors, including “unban,” also reduce accuracy. These problems sometimes make the intended meaning difficult to interpret, particularly in the sentence about guests and available space. Aim for more precise housing vocabulary and check spelling and natural word combinations. For example, describe the benefit as accommodating more residents on limited land, rather than saying people live “in enough place.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including a concession in the opening and clauses introduced by “because,” “when,” and “however.” This shows some variety, but complex structures are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to affect clarity. Examples include “I strongly believe that construct large apartments,” where the verb pattern is incomplete, and “When some guests are come … than their is enough space,” which has problems with verb form, agreement and sentence construction. There are also errors in “a family migrate” and “they cannot afford a single home with other responsibilities.” Practise building accurate subject–verb–object sentences first, then add subordinate clauses. Check verb forms, articles and agreement carefully when editing.

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