Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

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

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 the modern world, rapid population growth and highly crowded cities cause residence shortages, and people should decide what type of residence would be more suitable to alleviate this problem. Some people believe that tall apartment blocks would be the best way to provide enough homes in large cities. Although tall apartments can cause inconvenience and concern, I agree that it will remain the best option for several reasons.

On the one hand, living in apartment offers a restricted space and inconvenience compared to single private houses. The conditions such as a connection between all apartments and an absence of private courtyards will result in less private and more noisy life. As a result, people who prefer solitude and peaceful environments can choose single private houses. Moreover, the higher the apartment, the more dangerous it is in the case of natural disasters and unexpected accidents. Tall blocks are often vulnerable and the chance of successfully evacuating is low compared to single private houses.

On the other hand, single houses are less environmentally friendly and less effective way to provide a home for all people. Building small private houses will cover more space which results in the reduced wildlife habitat, creating environmental problems. Large and crowded cities often lack a space for such houses and this option is often unavailable. In addition, as apartments are more affordable compared to single private houses, they will place less financial pressure on individuals to purchase a residence.

In my opinion, accurately planned and high quality tall apartment blocks could create convenient environment while providing all people with enough homes. Building a large amounts of single private houses will demand more resources and space, which is less adequate option.

In conclusion, I agree that the best way to provide enough homes in large cities is to build tall apartment blocks, as preserving resources is essential and high quality apartments will create a convenient and safe environment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, maintaining a clear position throughout. The arguments are relevant, focusing on the trade-offs between high-density living and urban sprawl. The ideas are extended and supported, such as the environmental impact of single-family homes versus the efficiency of apartment blocks. However, the development is slightly uneven; the discussion on safety in tall buildings is a valid point but could have been balanced with more sophisticated arguments regarding urban planning or infrastructure. Overall, the position is well-maintained and the response is fully relevant to the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Moreover', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to link ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate contrasting viewpoints. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions between sentences could be more sophisticated to reach a higher band, but the overall structure is clear and coherent.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The range of vocabulary is sufficient for the task. The student uses topic-specific terms such as 'residence shortages', 'urban sprawl' (implied), 'wildlife habitat', and 'financial pressure'. There are some minor inaccuracies in collocation, such as 'less adequate option' or 'create convenient environment', which could be more natural. However, the vocabulary is precise enough to convey the intended meaning without difficulty. To improve, the student should focus on more idiomatic collocations and a slightly wider variety of academic synonyms to avoid repetition.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is good control over basic grammar, and complex structures are attempted, such as the use of 'Although' and 'as' clauses. However, there are occasional errors in articles (e.g., 'living in apartment' instead of 'living in an apartment') and pluralization (e.g., 'a large amounts of'). These errors are non-systematic and do not impede communication. The punctuation is generally accurate, and the sentence variety is sufficient to support the arguments presented.

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