Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-15

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)

Yes, I agree to some extent with the statement that the best way to provide enough homes in large cities is to build tall apartment blocks.

Firstly, the most beneficial reason is that it would save alot of space and process will be much easier. Additionally, it is a cost effective idea as it will save alot of finances. Building large apartment blocks will help reduce deforestation as the cities would not have to loose more trees in order to contruct small buildings. Rise in pollution and global warming can largely be attributed to the deforestation which is done to build new buildings and houses.

On the other hand, it can be harmful as well in the context of safety. Building larger apartment blocks can be dangerous as the taller building becomes the most unstable during earthquakes. Destruction or fire at one apartment could affect the whole building. One of the underlying factor is the increased cost of living. Apartments in larger building would be much more expensive than a small single floor house in large cities.

In a nutshell, I would agree more with the fact that the best way to provide enoug homes in lager cities is to build tall apartment blocks, but keeping in picture, the safety and maintenance. All safety measures should be taken to avoid any inconvenience and to prioritize the citizens' safety.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You give a clear, qualified position: you agree “to some extent” and conclude that you agree more, while acknowledging safety and maintenance concerns. Relevant reasons include saving space, reducing tree loss, earthquake risks, fire, and living costs. However, several points are asserted rather than explained: for example, the claim that tall buildings are more expensive than small houses is not supported, and the link between deforestation and pollution is only briefly stated. The response also contains 212 words, so it is 38 words below the required minimum; this limits the opportunity to develop and support your ideas. Add a specific example and explain how each main reason affects housing provision.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, a paragraph supporting tall buildings, a contrasting paragraph, and a conclusion. “Firstly,” “On the other hand,” and “In a nutshell” help signal the main stages. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes abrupt: the first body paragraph moves from saving space to cost, then deforestation and pollution without clearly showing how each point supports the central argument. The conclusion introduces “maintenance” without developing it earlier. Use a clearer topic sentence for each paragraph, group related reasons, and add linking explanations between claims. This would make the overall argument easier to follow and reduce the sense of a list of points.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “deforestation,” “earthquakes,” “global warming,” “safety measures,” and “cost of living.” These choices make the main ideas understandable. However, the range is limited and some wording is inaccurate or unnatural, such as “save alot of finances,” “loose more trees,” and “keeping in picture.” There are also spelling errors, including “contruct,” “enoug,” and “lager,” which reduce accuracy. Aim for more precise collocations and avoid repeating general terms such as “building” and “large.” For example, you could describe the environmental effect as “reduce pressure to clear land” and refer to “high-rise residential buildings.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use a mixture of simple sentences and some longer structures, including “Building larger apartment blocks can be dangerous as the taller building becomes the most unstable during earthquakes.” Most sentences communicate the intended meaning, and the contrast between advantages and disadvantages is clear. However, errors in sentence construction and grammatical forms occur throughout. For example, “the most beneficial reason is that it would save alot of space and process will be much easier” lacks an article before “process” and has an unclear subject relationship. “One of the underlying factor is” has a singular-plural agreement error, while “Apartments in larger building” needs a plural form. Practise building accurate complex sentences and check articles, agreement, and punctuation during revision.

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