Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-09

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)

The best way to provide enough homes in large cities is to build tall apartment blocks. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In my view, building tall apartment blocks is one of the most effective ways to provide housing in large cities. However, I do not believe it is the only solution, as other factors such as infrastructure and affordable housing also need to be considered.

One major advantage of tall apartment buildings is that they can accommodate a large number of people in a limited area. As land in major cities is often expensive and scarce, constructing vertically allows more families to live close to workplaces, schools and other facilities. Moreover, high-rise buildings can help reduce urban sprawl and protect land on the outskirts of cities from excessive development.

However, there are also some disadvantages to this approach. If too many people are concentrated in high-rise buildings, cities may experience overcrowding and increased pressure on public services. Problems such as traffic congestion, insufficient parking and a lack of green spaces may also become more serious. Therefore, governments should ensure that new apartment blocks are supported by adequate transport, schools, hospitals and recreational areas.

In conclusion, I largely agree that tall apartment blocks are an effective solution to the housing shortage in large cities. Nevertheless, they should be carefully planned and combined with good infrastructure and other housing solutions.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses the prompt by taking a clear position and providing relevant arguments. However, the essay falls short of the 250-word minimum requirement, which negatively impacts the development of ideas. While the arguments regarding urban sprawl and infrastructure are relevant, they are somewhat brief. To reach a higher band, you need to expand your supporting points with more detailed examples or deeper analysis. Because the response is under-length, it cannot fully develop the ideas to the extent required for a higher band score, resulting in a penalty for task completion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is well-structured with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Ideas are logically sequenced, and the progression of the argument is easy to follow. You use cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'However', and 'Therefore' effectively to link your thoughts. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed solution. The flow is natural, and the relationship between sentences is clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision. Phrases like 'urban sprawl', 'excessive development', and 'concentrated' are used correctly and appropriately for the context. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it lacks the 'less common' or more sophisticated lexical items that would push the score into the 8.0+ range. The word choice is generally natural, and there are no significant errors in collocation or spelling that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use conditional sentences ('If too many people are concentrated...') and complex noun phrases effectively. The grammar is largely accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is handled correctly, and the sentence construction is clear. To improve further, you could incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as passive voice or more varied subordinate clauses, to demonstrate greater flexibility.

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

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