Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-19

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)

The most useful approach to give sufficient residence in big urban areas is to construct tall apartment blocks. In my opinion, I strongly agree with this statement because it will allow the families to have a house in big cities and also offer them some other facilities.

On one hand, In many large cities people residence become short because of short places or lack of empty spots although the public faces enough problems. This approach will assist the families to having a house in the urban areas. For example, if tall apartment blocks had been build then the public may not suffer from a house. Therefore, it will give the public a better opportunity to live with some new facilities and the problem will be finish.

On the other hand, big cities plays an vital role in every persons life because it gives better opportunity in every sectors such as job, education, medical treatment and more on. The public always have different kinds of jobs and tasks to deal with in the city this is why residence is a fundamental thing in cities. For example, if this approach disapproves then public may suffer due to homeless or it will become costly to stay in a private hotel. As a result the number of visiting city will face a decline.

In my perspective, I strongly believe that apartment blocks should be construct because this approach will overcome the homeless problems of the public at cities and it will offer the families a large variety of new facilities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

Your position is clear: you strongly agree that tall apartment blocks can help provide housing, and you give relevant reasons, including access to jobs, education and medical care. However, the response only partly develops the task. The main explanation—that building upwards gives families homes—is repeated, while the promised “other facilities” are not identified or explained. The example about people becoming homeless or staying in hotels is also hypothetical and does not show clearly how apartment blocks would prevent this. To strengthen the response, explain the practical advantages of high-rise housing, such as accommodating more households on limited land, and support each main point with a specific example. A brief acknowledgement of possible drawbacks would also make your argument more considered.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion, and signposts such as “On one hand,” “On the other hand” and “As a result” help show relationships between points. However, the overall progression is not consistently clear: both body paragraphs return to the need for housing, and the second shifts from city services to hotel costs without fully connecting these ideas to apartment blocks. Some linking phrases are also used mechanically, and “On one hand” is not balanced by a clear opposing point. Improve cohesion by giving each paragraph one distinct reason, then explain how that reason supports your position. Use references and transitions only where they clarify the logical connection.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “urban areas,” “apartment blocks,” “medical treatment” and “homeless,” so the reader can follow the general subject. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations sound unnatural, sometimes making the meaning less precise. For example, “give sufficient residence” and “people residence become short” do not express the housing shortage naturally; “residential accommodation” and “housing becomes scarce” would be clearer. “The problem will be finish” and “the number of visiting city” also show difficulty selecting accurate forms and phrases. Build a bank of natural housing and urban-planning expressions, and check whether each noun and verb commonly occur together. Avoid repeating “public” and “approach” when more precise alternatives are available.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including conditional forms such as “if this approach disapproves then public may suffer,” and you use clauses to explain reasons. However, complex structures are often faulty, and errors in agreement, verb forms, articles and sentence construction occur frequently enough to make some sentences difficult to read. Examples include “big cities plays,” “if tall apartment blocks had been build,” and “should be construct.” There are also problems with article and number patterns, as in “an vital role” and “every persons life.” Practise subject–verb agreement and past participles, then check each sentence for a clear subject and correctly formed verb. Shorter, accurate sentences would help you communicate your ideas more reliably while you develop complex forms.

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

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