Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-20

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 increasing population in large cities has created a serious shortage of housing. Some people believe that the best solution is to construct tall apartment blocks. I partly agree with this view because high-rise buildings can provide more homes, but they can also create some problems.

On the one hand, building tall apartment blocks is an effective way to accommodate a large number of people in a limited area. Since land is often expensive and scarce in big cities, constructing vertically can save valuable space. Moreover, high-rise buildings can provide many apartments on a relatively small piece of land. For example, instead of building several houses over a large area, a tall residential building can provide homes for hundreds of families.

On the other hand, there are some disadvantages to this approach. A large number of people living in one building can put pressure on public facilities such as roads, public transport, water supply and electricity. In addition, high-rise buildings may reduce the quality of life if there are not enough parks and open spaces. Families with children may also prefer houses with gardens because they provide more space and a healthier environment.

In conclusion, I believe that tall apartment blocks are an effective solution to the shortage of housing in large cities, especially where land is limited. However, governments should also provide adequate transport, public facilities and green spaces to ensure a good quality of life for residents.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses the prompt by discussing both the benefits and drawbacks of high-rise living. However, the essay falls short of the 250-word minimum requirement, which limits the depth of the argument. While the position is clear and the ideas are relevant, the development is somewhat brief. To reach a higher band, you should expand on your examples—for instance, by mentioning a specific city or a more detailed scenario regarding the impact on infrastructure. Because the response is under-length, it cannot be awarded a score higher than 6.0 for Task Achievement, as the development of ideas is constrained by the word count.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The progression of ideas is logical, moving from the benefits of vertical construction to the associated challenges. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'Moreover,' and 'In addition' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure is easy to follow. To improve, you could vary your cohesive devices slightly more to avoid a somewhat formulaic structure, but the current level of organization is clear and effective.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'accommodate a large number of people,' 'valuable space,' and 'quality of life' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is functional and appropriate for the task, 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 6.5

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use conditional structures ('if there are not enough parks') and relative clauses effectively. The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as passive voice or more advanced inversion, to demonstrate greater flexibility. However, the current control is solid and the writing is error-free for the most part.

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

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