Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

In many large cities, the demand for housing has increased dramatically, and one proposed solution is to construct tall apartment blocks. While this approach has clear advantages, I believe it is not the only way to provide sufficient homes, and a balanced strategy is preferable.

On the one hand, high‑rise apartments can accommodate a large number of people within a limited area. This is particularly important in densely populated cities where land is scarce and expensive. By building vertically, governments and developers can maximize space efficiency, reduce urban sprawl, and preserve green areas. Furthermore, tall buildings often come with modern facilities such as elevators, parking, and security systems, which can improve residents’ quality of life.

On the other hand, relying solely on tall apartment blocks may create new problems. High‑density living can lead to overcrowding, noise, and social isolation. Families with children or elderly members may prefer low‑rise housing with access to gardens and community spaces. Moreover, concentrating too many people in one area can put pressure on infrastructure such as roads, schools, and hospitals. Alternative solutions, such as developing suburban areas with efficient public transport or encouraging mixed‑use housing projects, can help distribute the population more evenly.

Overall, while tall apartment blocks are an effective way to address housing shortages in large cities, they should not be seen as the only solution. A combination of vertical development, suburban expansion, and improved urban planning would provide more sustainable and livable housing options.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses the prompt clearly, maintaining a consistent position throughout. You have provided relevant arguments for both sides, discussing space efficiency and modern facilities against social isolation and infrastructure pressure. However, the response is 242 words long, failing to meet the 250-word minimum requirement. This under-length impacts the development of your ideas, as they are somewhat concise. To reach a higher band, you should expand on your examples or provide more detailed explanations for your points to ensure the response is fully developed and meets the length requirement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is well-organized with a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you have used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand,' 'Furthermore,' and 'Moreover,' to link your ideas. The paragraphing is logical and helps the reader follow your argument easily. The transition between the advantages and disadvantages is smooth, and the conclusion effectively summarizes your position. The structure is coherent, and the use of referencing is clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task, such as 'maximize space efficiency,' 'urban sprawl,' and 'mixed-use housing projects.' The word choice is generally precise and natural. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. To move into the higher bands, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common collocations to show greater flexibility and precision in your writing, though your current range is sufficient for a solid score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

Your writing shows a good command of grammatical structures. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'While this approach has clear advantages, I believe it is not the only way...' and 'Families with children or elderly members may prefer low-rise housing...'. The sentences are generally error-free, and your punctuation is accurate. The control over grammar is consistent, and there are no major errors that cause difficulty for the reader. The variety of structures is adequate for this level.

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