Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-10

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)

The main advantage of building tall apartments is that they make better use of land. Large cities often have limited space, and constructing houses with gardens requires considerable areas of land. In contrast, a single high-rise building can provide homes for hundreds of families on a relatively small piece of land. This can also help prevent cities from expanding too far into surrounding rural areas. For example, cities such as Tokyo and Singapore have successfully used high-density housing to accommodate large populations.

However, I do not believe that apartment blocks alone are sufficient. If too many high-rise buildings are constructed without proper planning, they can create overcrowding, traffic congestion and pressure on public services. Residents may also have less access to private outdoor spaces. Therefore, governments should combine apartment blocks with parks, schools, hospitals and efficient public transport. In some less densely populated areas, low-rise housing may also be a more suitable option.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response is significantly under the 250-word minimum requirement, which severely impacts the development of ideas. While you present a clear position and provide relevant arguments regarding land use and urban planning, the brevity prevents you from fully exploring the topic. To achieve a higher band, you must extend your arguments with more detailed explanations and additional examples. Currently, the ideas are introduced but not sufficiently supported or expanded upon to meet the requirements of an academic essay. The failure to meet the length requirement is a major constraint on your ability to demonstrate the depth of thought expected at higher levels.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction of the main argument followed by a counter-argument. The use of cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'However', and 'Therefore' is effective and helps the reader follow the progression of your thoughts. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two main points. While the structure is sound, the limited length prevents the use of a wider range of cohesive devices or more complex logical transitions. The flow is natural, and the relationship between ideas is clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, using terms like 'high-density housing', 'accommodate', 'congestion', and 'sufficient' accurately. The language is natural and appropriate for an academic context. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation. To improve, you should aim to incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items to demonstrate a wider range. However, the current vocabulary is precise and effectively conveys your meaning without any ambiguity or repetition.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The grammar is generally accurate, with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You successfully use conditional structures ('If too many high-rise buildings are constructed...') and passive voice ('are constructed', 'are used'). There are no major grammatical errors that impede communication. The punctuation is correct, and the sentence construction is clear. To reach a higher band, you should aim to include a greater variety of complex grammatical structures, such as relative clauses or more varied subordinate clauses, while maintaining the high level of accuracy shown here.

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

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