Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-04

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)

It is argued that the best way to provide adequate housing in large cities is to build tall skyscrapers. I partially agree with the view because although this can help with urban sprawling and self sufficiency, building tall apartments can be harmful for the urban environment.

One major benefit of building tall apartment blocks is that it can control urban sprawling effectively. This is because tall skyscrapers can accommodate more housing and commercial activities as well in a single building block. In contrast, when cities grow outwards to keep up with the increasing population, more and more suburban and rural areas get exploited in the name of development. Secondly, tall apartment blocks are planned in a self sufficient way, housing shelter, gym, convenient stores under one roof. For this reason, this can save up more space and increase accessibility.

On the other hand, building tall apartment blocks in a congested area can pollute the urban environment. Tall skyscraper blocks in large cities are mostly without enough green space. Lack of green spaces and urban parks can be harmful for the environment. Furthermore, congested tall apartment blocks can retain heat and increase the effect of urban heat island, as there are less green cover to absorb heat.

In conclusion, although I believe tall apartment blocks accommodate more people and are self contained, these are harmful for the environment regarding lesser green cover and heat retention. A balanced approach where a combination of skyscrapers and horizontal housing can exist is the best way to provide housing.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, presenting a clear position that is maintained throughout. The ideas are relevant and logically developed, particularly the arguments regarding urban sprawl and environmental impact. The essay provides a balanced view, acknowledging the benefits of high-density living while highlighting the drawbacks. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific examples or evidence to support the claims, such as mentioning a specific city or a real-world urban planning study. The conclusion effectively synthesizes the arguments and offers a nuanced final perspective, which demonstrates a good level of task fulfillment.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'Secondly', and 'On the other hand' are used effectively to link ideas. However, the use of cohesive devices is occasionally a bit mechanical. To improve, the student could work on using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that the transition between sentences is more fluid. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the overall structure supports the development of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally appropriate for the task and allows for clear communication. The student uses some topic-specific vocabulary such as 'urban sprawling', 'self-sufficient', and 'urban heat island'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'housing shelter' instead of 'housing facilities' or 'amenities'. While the range is sufficient, it does not consistently demonstrate the flexibility or precision required for a higher band. The student should focus on using more sophisticated collocations and synonyms to avoid repetition and add depth to their arguments.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay displays a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and grammatically correct, though there are occasional errors, such as 'as there are less green cover' (should be 'less green cover' or 'fewer green spaces') and 'these are harmful' (referring back to blocks). Punctuation is generally accurate, and the errors present do not impede communication. To improve, the student should aim for more complex sentence structures and ensure subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the text. The current level of accuracy is solid, but more variety in sentence construction would be beneficial.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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