Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-23

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)

These days some people seem to argue that apartments should be build to provide homes. On tha other hand, others are of the opinion that it is not a good idea to build tall apartments in large cities. However i agree, to a great extent, with the idea that constructing an apartment blocks would be very beneficial for many people. There are certain reasons for my opinion which i wish to highlight in this essay.

In the first place, it would be quite true to say that construction of tall apartment overcome the problem of house shortage. One illustration of this is that more people can live in a small space as compared to nuclear houses because shortage of houses is increasing gradually in a developed countries. Another reason of this side of the issue is that it can save people's money. For instance, apartments are more affordable then houses so more people can own their homes and save their money.

Yet there is a dark side of the view which advocates that it can lead to overcrowding. For example, If more people starts living in a small space then a places like lifts, traffic and indoor area of building will start crowded. In addition to this, other negative element, playing a significant role may be lack of privacy and outdoor area. For instance, people who live in apartments don't have private outdoor area like garden, they have only one small garden in which all the people of the building sit, talk and enjoy.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that it is indeed a debatable issue which needs further analysis and discussion. However, in the light of the above discussed arguments and examples it would be quite true to conclude that the advantages of building an apartment outweigh its disadvantages in many different aspects and far outweigh living in separate houses.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

Your position is generally clear: you agree to a great extent that apartment blocks can help, and you also acknowledge disadvantages. The points about accommodating more residents in limited space and making homes more affordable are relevant, as are concerns about overcrowding and privacy. However, the response only partly develops the question of whether tall blocks are the best way to provide enough homes. For example, the affordability point is asserted rather than explained, and the drawbacks are not weighed clearly against the housing benefits. The conclusion introduces a comparison with “living in separate houses” without establishing that comparison in the argument. Develop each main reason with a clearer explanation or specific example, and make your final judgement more precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The essay has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction, two body paragraphs presenting benefits and drawbacks, and a conclusion. Paragraphing helps the reader follow the main stages, and signposts such as “In the first place” and “Yet” indicate contrast. However, some linking is mechanical or unclear. “Another reason of this side of the issue” is awkward, while “For example” is repeated to introduce points without always showing how the example supports the claim. The final paragraph also shifts to a broad statement that the issue needs “further analysis and discussion,” which weakens the progression towards your own conclusion. Use clearer links between claims and explanations, and ensure each paragraph develops one connected line of reasoning.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including “house shortage,” “overcrowding,” “lack of privacy,” and “outdoor area.” There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “in the light of the above discussed arguments.” However, word choice and collocation are often inaccurate or unnatural, which limits precision: “nuclear houses” does not express the intended contrast, and “a dark side of the view” is not a natural way to introduce a disadvantage. Spelling errors such as “tha” and “then” for “than” are noticeable. Aim for accurate, natural combinations rather than formulaic phrases, and check spelling and word forms carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including a concession beginning “Yet” and a conditional sentence with “If.” This gives the response some structural variety, and the main meaning is generally understandable. However, errors occur across sentence forms and sometimes make the wording difficult to follow. Examples include “apartments should be build,” “construction of tall apartment overcome,” and “more people starts living,” where verb forms or subject–verb agreement are incorrect. Articles and plurals are also inconsistent, as in “a developed countries” and “a places.” Capitalisation and punctuation need attention, particularly “However i” and “For example, If.” Review agreement, verb forms, and article use, then proofread each sentence for accurate punctuation.

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