IELTS Writing Correction Service
Writing Samples
Band 7

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?

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Introduction
Housing shortages in major cities are often associated with limited
land
Use synonyms
 availability, so constructing tall apartment
blocks
Use synonyms
 is widely regarded as an effective response.
Although
Linking Words
 high-rise housing can use urban
land
Use synonyms
 efficiently, I disagree that it is the best solution, because a broader combination of
land
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development
Use synonyms
,
transport
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 planning and affordable housing policies can meet residents’ needs more comprehensively.
Body paragraph 1
Admittedly, high-rise apartment
blocks
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 can ease housing pressure in densely populated cities. Where
land
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 is scarce, vertical
development
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 enables far more households to live on the same amount of
land
Use synonyms
. Hong Kong,
for example
Linking Words
, relies heavily on high-rise housing to accommodate a large urban population within a limited area.
Nevertheless
Linking Words
, increasing the number of units does not automatically make
homes
Use synonyms
 affordable or ensure that
transport
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 and public services can support additional residents. High-rise construction is
therefore
Linking Words
 useful, but it cannot address every dimension of the housing shortage.
Body paragraph 2
A more effective approach would combine several policies. Authorities could release suitable
land
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 on the outskirts for residential
development
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 and connect these areas to employment centres through reliable public
transport
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. Better links would make peripheral housing practical, allowing residents to move away from overcrowded districts without facing unmanageable commutes. Governments could
also
Linking Words
 fund the construction of affordable
homes
Use synonyms
 for low-income households, ensuring that an increase in supply benefits those most affected by high prices. Because these measures address location, accessibility and affordability together, they are more comprehensive than relying solely on high-rise
blocks
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 in city centres.
Conclusion
In conclusion, tall apartment
blocks
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 are an efficient means of creating additional
homes
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, but they should not be treated as the single best solution. A coordinated strategy combining high-density construction, suburban
development
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,
transport
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 investment and affordable housing is more likely to provide sufficient, accessible and reasonably priced
homes
Use synonyms
.

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task response
Your view is clear from the start: tall blocks can help, but they are not the best answer on their own. You answer all parts of the question and keep this view to the end.
task response
Your main ideas are well chosen: land use, travel, public services, and low-cost homes. To make the case even stronger, add one more real detail about how one plan could help people, such as a train line that cuts travel time from new homes outside the city.
task response
The Hong Kong example fits the point well. You could also explain a little more about why tall homes may still cost too much there, so the link between more homes and low prices is even clearer.
coherence and cohesion
The essay has a very clear path: first the good side of tall blocks, then the limits, then other plans, and finally a short close. Each paragraph has one main job.
coherence and cohesion
Linking words are used well, such as “Although”, “Admittedly”, “Nevertheless”, and “In conclusion”. They guide the reader without being too common.
coherence and cohesion
The second body paragraph has many ideas in one long part. You could make the flow even easier by putting transport and homes for low-income people in two separate paragraphs, or by adding a clear link between them.
task response
The essay gives a full answer, not just a yes or no. It shows why tall blocks help and why they cannot solve all housing problems.
task response
The ideas are specific and useful. The points about land, travel to work, and low-cost homes directly fit the topic.
coherence and cohesion
The opening and closing match well. Both state that tall blocks are useful, but a wider plan is needed.
coherence and cohesion
The Hong Kong example is placed in the right part of the essay and supports the point about limited land.
Fully explain your ideas

To get an excellent score in the IELTS Task 2 writing section, one of the easiest and most effective tips is structuring your writing in the most solid format. A great argument essay structure may be divided to four paragraphs, in which comprises of four sentences (excluding the conclusion paragraph, which comprises of three sentences).

For we to consider an essay structure a great one, it should be looking like this:

  • Paragraph 1 - Introduction
    • Sentence 1 - Background statement
    • Sentence 2 - Detailed background statement
    • Sentence 3 - Thesis
    • Sentence 4 - Outline sentence
  • Paragraph 2 - First supporting paragraph
    • Sentence 1 - Topic sentence
    • Sentence 2 - Example
    • Sentence 3 - Discussion
    • Sentence 4 - Conclusion
  • Paragraph 3 - Second supporting paragraph
    • Sentence 1 - Topic sentence
    • Sentence 2 - Example
    • Sentence 3 - Discussion
    • Sentence 4 - Conclusion
  • Paragraph 4 - Conclusion
    • Sentence 1 - Summary
    • Sentence 2 - Restatement of thesis
    • Sentence 3 - Prediction or recommendation

Our recommended essay structure above comprises of fifteen (15) sentences, which will make your essay approximately 250 to 275 words.

Discover more tips in The Ultimate Guide to Get a Target Band Score of 7+ »- a book that's free for 🚀 Premium users.

Topic Vocabulary:
  • housing shortage = not enough homes for people
  • apartment block = a large building with many flats
  • high-rise building = a very tall building
  • limited land = not much land available
  • population growth = the number of people increases
  • urban spread = the city grows into outer areas
  • public transport = buses, trains, and metro systems
  • living conditions = the quality of daily life at home
  • city planning = the way a city is designed and managed
  • green space = parks and open natural areas
  • daily needs = things people need every day
  • costly land = land that is very expensive
  • mixed housing = different kinds of homes in one area
  • sense of community = the feeling of belonging with neighbors
  • traffic pressure = too many cars on the roads
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