Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-22

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)

It is often argued that the most effective way to provide enough homes in large cities is to construct tall apartment blocks. I partly agree with this view because high-rise buildings can provide housing for many people, but I also believe that other types of housing are needed.

The main reason why tall buildings are useful is that they can save a large amount of land. In big cities, land is usually limited and expensive, so building houses with large gardens may not be practical. Instead, apartments can be built upwards, allowing many families to live in the same area. This can help cities to provide homes for growing population areas. For example, in cities such as Mumbai, many people live in apartment buildings because there is not enough space for traditional houses.

However, developing only tall apartment blocks can also create some problems. A large number of people living in one area can put pressure on roads, public transport, schools, and hospitals. In addition, some apartment buildings may not provide enough green spaces or playgrounds for the children. Therefore, governments should develop different types of housing according to the needs of each area. Low-rise houses and smaller residential buildings can be built in places where more land is available.

In conclusion, I partly agree that all apartment blocks are an effective way to provide enough homes in large cities. However, they should not be the only solution, and governments should also provide suitable infrastructure and other forms of housing

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response clearly addresses the prompt by taking a balanced position. You have identified the benefits of high-rise buildings, such as land efficiency, and contrasted them with the drawbacks, such as infrastructure strain and lack of green space. The ideas are relevant and supported by a specific example (Mumbai). To reach a higher band, you could further develop the 'infrastructure' argument by explaining how cities might mitigate these pressures, or by discussing the social impact of high-density living in more detail. Overall, the position is consistent and the task is fully addressed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. You have used cohesive devices such as 'The main reason', 'However', 'In addition', and 'Therefore' effectively to link your points. The paragraphing is appropriate. To improve, you could vary your cohesive devices slightly more to avoid a somewhat mechanical feel, but the current structure is clear and effective.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'land is usually limited and expensive', 'growing population areas', and 'suitable infrastructure' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it lacks the 'less common' or 'idiomatic' items that characterize higher bands. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or topic-specific terminology related to urban planning, such as 'urban sprawl', 'high-density development', or 'sustainable urban design'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and your control of grammar is generally strong. For instance, the use of conditional-like structures ('if... then' implied) and complex sentences with 'because' and 'although' is accurate. There are no significant errors that impede communication. To move into the 8.0 range, ensure a wider variety of complex structures, such as passive voice or inverted sentences, and maintain this high level of accuracy throughout.

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

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