Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-26

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)

Although, it is argued that tall apartments can provide sufficient homes for the citizens of metropolitan cities, I agree with the statement because constructing tall buildings for residential purposes occupies a small space and provides a huge number of homes to the citizens.

The first benefit of constructing tall buildings is to occupy a small space. Large apartments are better than constructing individual homes, because this gives large cities more extra space for plantation and family parks, consequently children and elderly people could relax in those places. For instance, constructing large building in the center of a city could take small space, instead they transform those extra spaces into community-friendly spaces.

The second benefit is to produce a myriad number of homes in a relatively small space. This reduces traffic and other relating issues. Consequently, the community becomes able to avoid certain potential problems regarding slums.

In conclusion, tall apartments can have more benefits for big cities than individual housing scheme, because it occupies a relatively lesser space and provides a huge number of houses.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

Your position is clear: you agree that tall apartment blocks are an effective way to provide housing, and you give two relevant reasons—using less land and accommodating more residents. However, the response addresses the task only partially because both reasons are briefly stated rather than fully explained, and the second point about reducing traffic and avoiding slums is not clearly supported. The example about turning spare land into community spaces helps illustrate your first reason, but it needs more specific explanation. The response is also 75 words below the required minimum, which limits the opportunity to develop your argument. Extend each main idea with a clear explanation and a relevant, specific example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a coherent overall arrangement: an introduction states your view, two body paragraphs present separate benefits, and a conclusion restates your position. Sequencing phrases such as “The first benefit,” “The second benefit,” and “In conclusion” make the structure easy to follow. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical, and links between claims are not always clear. For example, the connection between providing more homes and reducing traffic is asserted with “This reduces traffic” but not explained. The phrase “consequently” also appears in close succession, making the linking feel repetitive. To strengthen progression, explain how each reason leads to its claimed result and use a wider variety of natural transitions and referencing.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a range of topic-related vocabulary, including “metropolitan cities,” “residential purposes,” “community-friendly spaces,” and “individual housing scheme.” These choices show an attempt to use less common language, but some expressions are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “plantation” for green areas and “a myriad number of homes.” Repetition of “large,” “space,” and “homes” also limits flexibility. The meaning remains generally understandable, though imprecise collocations make parts of the argument less natural. Aim for accurate, conventional combinations and vary repeated terms—for example, use “green spaces” and “a large number of housing units.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including a reason clause with “because” and a result clause introduced by “consequently.” Most sentences communicate the main point, but some grammatical errors remain. The opening “Although, it is argued…” uses punctuation incorrectly and creates an incomplete contrast, while “constructing large building” is missing an article or plural ending. In “because it occupies,” the pronoun does not clearly agree with the plural subject “tall apartments.” The sentence beginning “For instance” also joins contrasting ideas awkwardly. Review article use, subject–verb and pronoun agreement, and punctuation around subordinate clauses; then check that each sentence expresses a complete, clearly connected thought.

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