Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-15

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In the future all cars, buses and trucks will be driverless. The only people travelling inside these vehicles will be passengers.

Do you think the advantages of driverless vehicles outweigh the disadvantages?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 6.5)

It is often argued that constructing tall apartment buildings is the most effective solution to the housing shortage in large cities. I mostly agree with this view because high-rise buildings can accommodate more people while making better use of limited urban land. However, I also believe that this approach should be combined with careful urban planning.

One major advantage of building tall apartment blocks is that they allow a large number of families to live in a relatively small area. As cities continue to grow, vacant land becomes increasingly scarce and expensive. By developing vertically rather than horizontally, governments can provide housing for more residents without expanding into farmland or green spaces. This not only helps meet the growing demand for homes but also protects the natural environment surrounding cities.

Another benefit is that apartment buildings are usually located close to workplaces, schools, hospitals, and public transport. As a result, residents spend less time commuting and can enjoy easier access to essential services. This can improve their quality of life while reducing traffic congestion and air pollution. For example, cities such as Singapore have successfully used high-rise residential developments to accommodate a dense population while maintaining efficient public transport and modern facilities.

Despite these advantages, relying entirely on apartment blocks may create certain problems. If too many people are concentrated in one area without sufficient infrastructure, issues such as overcrowding, noise, and pressure on public services may arise. Furthermore, some families prefer detached houses with private gardens, especially those with young children. Therefore, city planners should ensure that high-rise developments are supported by parks, recreational areas, schools, healthcare facilities, and reliable transport systems.

In conclusion, I agree that tall apartment buildings are one of the best ways to solve housing shortages in large cities because they maximise land use and provide homes for a growing population. Nevertheless, they should be part of a broader urban planning strategy that ensures comfortable and sustainable living conditions.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 1.0

The response is completely off-topic. The prompt explicitly asks for an evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of driverless vehicles. However, the student has written an essay about the merits of constructing tall apartment buildings to solve housing shortages. Because the response fails to address the task prompt entirely, it cannot be assessed for task achievement regarding the specific topic provided. While the essay itself is well-structured and coherent as a piece of writing, it does not fulfill the requirements of the task set by the examiner. Consequently, the score reflects a failure to respond to the actual question asked.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

Despite being off-topic, the essay demonstrates a high level of coherence and cohesion. The text is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs that follow a logical progression, and a conclusion. The student uses a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'However', 'As a result', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas, and the flow of information is smooth and easy to follow. The internal structure of the argument is sound, showing a good grasp of how to connect ideas within a formal essay format.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

The student displays a wide and flexible range of vocabulary. The language is precise and appropriate for an academic context. Examples of sophisticated vocabulary include 'accommodate', 'increasingly scarce', 'vertically', 'horizontally', 'essential services', and 'sustainable living conditions'. The word choice is natural, and there are no significant errors in collocation or spelling. The student demonstrates the ability to use less common lexical items with awareness of style, which is characteristic of a high-level performance in this criterion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. The student uses a mix of complex sentence forms, such as conditional structures ('If too many people are concentrated...') and relative clauses ('...cities such as Singapore have successfully used...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation and syntax is excellent. There are no noticeable grammatical slips that impede communication, and the overall quality of the writing is very high, demonstrating a strong command of English grammar.

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