Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-07-30

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 6.5)

Some people believe that the best way to provide enough homes in large cities is to build tall apartment buildings. I partly agree with this idea because they can save space, but I think other types of housing are also important.

On the one hand, tall apartment blocks are a good way to solve the housing problem. Large cities often have limited land, so building higher allows more people to live in the same area. For example, many big cities like Seoul and Singapore have many high-rise apartments, and they provide homes for thousands of people. Some families prefer houses with gardens because they have more space and privacy. In addition, if a city only builds apartment blocks, there may not be enough parks or open spaces for people to relax.

In my opinion, apartment blocks are an effective way to provide more homes, but they should not be the only solution. Governments should also build parks, improve public transport, and develop new areas outside the city. This can give people more choices and create a better place to live.

In conclusion, I agree that tall apartment buildings are a useful way to provide enough homes in large cities. However, they should be part of a balanced plan, not the only answer.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses the prompt by discussing the advantages and disadvantages of tall apartment blocks. However, the essay is significantly under the 250-word minimum requirement, which limits the depth of the argument. While you clearly state your position, the ideas are somewhat underdeveloped. For instance, the point about 'other types of housing' is mentioned but not fully explored or linked back to the main argument effectively. To improve, you should expand on your examples and provide more detailed reasoning to meet the length requirement and demonstrate a more thorough exploration of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'In addition', and 'In conclusion' to guide the reader. However, the transitions between ideas could be more sophisticated. The paragraphing is appropriate, but the overall flow is somewhat mechanical. To reach a higher band, try to use a wider variety of cohesive devices and ensure that the progression of ideas within paragraphs is more seamless and less reliant on simple sentence starters.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication. You use some relevant topic-specific terms like 'high-rise apartments', 'housing problem', and 'public transport'. However, the range is somewhat limited and repetitive. There is little evidence of less common or idiomatic vocabulary. To improve, aim to incorporate more precise academic collocations and synonyms to avoid repeating words like 'build' or 'provide'. Expanding your range will help you express your ideas with more nuance and precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are grammatically accurate, and errors are rare and do not impede communication. For example, your use of conditional structures ('if a city only builds...') is correct. However, the range of complex structures is limited. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate a wider variety of grammatical forms, such as passive voice, relative clauses, or more complex subordinating conjunctions, while maintaining the high level of accuracy you have already demonstrated.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.