Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-24

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)

I strongly agree with the given statement, more people can be accomodated into a smaller area, while also having the comfort of spaciousness in their homes. Large cities are heavily crowded, and tall apartment blocks come as a perfect solution to this issue.

Moreover, tall apartment blocks can accommodate more people in a smaller area, which helps to reduce the problem of overcrowding in large cities. For example, in cities like Hyderabad, many families live in apartments because there is not enough land to build individual houses for everyone. In addition, these buildings can provide facilities such as lifts accommodate more people in a smaller area, which helps to reduce the problem of overcrowding. However, I believe that the government should ensure that these buildings are constructed properly and provide enough water, electricity and other basic facilities.

Another important reason is that building apartments can help to reduce the cost of housing. When more flats are available in a city, people may have more options to choose according to their budget. This is especially helpful for students and employees who move to cities for education and jobs. For instance, many working people prefer living in apartments near their workplaces because it saves both time and transportation costs.

In conclusion, I strongly agree that constructing tall apartment blocks is one of the best ways to provide everyone homes, as they can also save land and make housing more affordable.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

Your position is clear from the opening—“I strongly agree”—and you give relevant reasons, including making better use of limited land and offering housing options near workplaces. The Hyderabad example also helps connect the argument to a real urban context. However, the response only partly develops the task: the point about affordability is asserted rather than explained in detail, and the claim that residents retain “the comfort of spaciousness” is not supported. The discussion of lifts and basic services is relevant but briefly handled. The response is also 12 words below the required minimum, which limits the space available to develop your reasons. Extend each main point with clearer explanation or a specific example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion. Paragraphs generally focus on relevant themes, and signposts such as “Moreover,” “Another important reason” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the argument. However, progression within the first body paragraph is weakened by repetition: the idea that apartments accommodate more people in less space appears twice, and the sentence about lifts is joined awkwardly to this repeated point. The relationship between the facilities example and the government’s responsibility could also be made clearer. Use each paragraph to develop one distinct reason, and connect examples directly to the claim they support rather than relying mainly on formulaic transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including “overcrowding,” “housing,” “basic facilities” and “transportation costs.” These choices are generally appropriate, and the meaning remains clear. However, the range is somewhat repetitive: “tall apartment blocks,” “apartments” and “smaller area” recur, while several phrases are broad, such as “provide everyone homes” and “more options to choose according to their budget.” There is also a spelling error in “accomodated.” Aim for more precise housing and urban-planning vocabulary, and check spelling carefully. Replacing repeated wording with terms such as “high-rise developments,” “residential density” or “affordable units” would make the argument more specific.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use a mixture of simple and complex forms, including a relative clause in “families live in apartments because there is not enough land” and a conditional structure in “When more flats are available… people may have more options.” Most sentences are understandable, but some constructions are faulty or awkward. The opening joins two independent clauses with a comma: “I strongly agree…, more people can be accommodated…”. In the first body paragraph, “facilities such as lifts accommodate more people” lacks a clear grammatical connection between the facilities and the claim, and the repeated clause makes the sentence difficult to follow. Practise separating complete ideas with a full stop or using a suitable conjunction, and check that each clause expresses a clear relationship.

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

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