Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-03

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)

In many large cities, the demand for housing is increasing because of population growth and urbanisation. Some people believe that constructing tall apartment buildings is the best solution to this problem. I partly agree with this opinion because high-rise buildings can provide more homes, but they should not be the only solution.

On the one hand, tall apartment blocks are an effective way to accommodate a large number of people in a limited area. Since land in cities is expensive and scarce, building upwards allows governments and developers to use space more efficiently. As a result, more families can live close to workplaces, schools, hospitals and public transport. This can reduce commuting time and improve people's quality of life. For example, cities such as Singapore have successfully used high-rise housing to meet the needs of their growing populations.

On the other hand, relying only on tall apartment blocks may create several problems. High-density living can lead to overcrowding, traffic congestion and pressure on public services if infrastructure is not improved at the same time. In addition, many people prefer houses with gardens because they offer more privacy and outdoor space, especially for families with children. Therefore, governments should also develop suburban areas with better transport links so that people have more housing choices.

In conclusion, I believe that tall apartment buildings are an important part of solving housing shortages in large cities because they make efficient use of limited land. However, they should be combined with good urban planning and the development of other residential areas to create comfortable and sustainable communities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction, acknowledging the benefits of high-rise buildings while arguing that they should not be the sole solution. The ideas are well-developed, with logical arguments provided for both sides of the issue. For instance, you effectively link high-density living to land scarcity and infrastructure pressure. The inclusion of a specific example, such as Singapore, strengthens your argument. The conclusion reinforces your balanced stance, ensuring the response is cohesive and focused throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, starting with a clear introduction, followed by two body paragraphs presenting contrasting views, and a summary conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'As a result', and 'Therefore' are used effectively to guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the relationship between sentences is clear and logical throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'urbanisation', 'high-density living', 'infrastructure', and 'sustainable communities' are used accurately and appropriately in context. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or less common idiomatic expressions to reach the highest band. However, the current range is flexible enough to convey your ideas clearly without any noticeable errors in word choice or spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay displays a good command of grammatical structures. You successfully use a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'Since land in cities is expensive and scarce, building upwards allows governments and developers to use space more efficiently.' Punctuation is accurate, and the majority of your sentences are error-free. There is a consistent level of control over complex structures, which contributes to the overall readability of the essay. The grammar is sufficiently varied to support a high band score.

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