Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-22

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 increasing population in cities demands a large number of homes for citizens. It is believed by some that manufacturing heightened,vertical apartment buildings is a reliable approach to meet this demand. I disagree with this idea as it can be inconvenient for residents and more volnerable to natural hazards.

Firstly, tall apartment blocks can be uncomfortable for individuals. This is because people living in the top floors are more expose to extreme weather conditions. For instance, individuals occupying upper portions are likely to feel more heat in summer and cold in winter season. Moreover, enen though there are elevators in the building but in case of any technical issue they have to climb long stairs to reach their house which can be really troublesome specially for old aged individuals.

Secondly, tall apartment buildings may arise some safety concerns.Vertical structures are not good at withstanding the natural climatic disastors such as earthquake. Due to this, some countries accross the globe are largely constructing underground or horizontal buildings that sre more reliable, have increased strength and able to cope with uncertain weather conditions. Therefore,tall apartment blocks may not be prefered by people to live.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that developing long buildings at large scale to accomodate large number of people is not the best possible option. This can be problematic for weather sensitive people and residents of higher age group. Not only this, there are also some structual unreliability associated with them which can lead to

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

Your position is clear from the introduction (“I disagree”) and conclusion, and you give two relevant reasons: residents’ comfort and safety from natural hazards. The examples about heat, cold, and elevator failure help explain the first point. However, the response addresses the question only partially because it does not compare tall blocks with other ways of providing enough homes, or explain why the alternatives you mention would meet urban demand better. The claim that some countries are constructing underground or horizontal buildings is not supported with a specific example or explanation. The conclusion is also cut off after “which can lead to,” leaving the final idea incomplete. The response is four words below the required minimum. Develop the comparison and complete the conclusion to address the task more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, two body paragraphs signposted by “Firstly” and “Secondly,” and a conclusion. This makes the main line of argument easy to identify. However, progression within the paragraphs is sometimes mechanical, and links between claims need clearer explanation. For example, the move from earthquake risk to countries constructing underground or horizontal buildings does not show how this supports the argument about housing supply. The phrase “Therefore” introduces a conclusion that is not fully established. The final sentence is unfinished, which disrupts the ending and leaves the last point unresolved. Use linking expressions selectively, explain the relationship between each example and its claim, and ensure the conclusion forms a complete final paragraph.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some topic-related vocabulary, including “population,” “apartment blocks,” “natural hazards,” and “technical issue,” and the reader can generally understand your intended meaning. However, the range is limited and several inaccurate word choices or spellings make the writing less clear or natural. Examples include “manufacturing heightened” for constructing high-rise buildings, “volnerable,” “disastors,” and “sre.” Phrases such as “weather sensitive people” and “structual unreliability” are also imprecise. Aim for accurate collocations and check spelling carefully; for instance, describe buildings as “high-rise” and discuss their “structural safety.” More precise vocabulary would help you explain the housing and safety issues without relying on broad or awkward expressions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including a reason clause (“This is because…”) and a conditional situation (“in case of any technical issue”). However, errors occur often enough to make some sentences awkward or difficult to follow. For example, “people living in the top floors are more expose” has problems with the preposition and verb form, while “even though there are elevators … but” combines two contrasting structures incorrectly. The sentence beginning “Not only this” is incomplete, and the final clause ends without a completed idea. There are also punctuation problems where sentences run together, such as “safety concerns.Vertical structures.” Practise building complete sentences, checking subject–verb forms, and using one clear contrast structure at a time.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.