Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-26

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)

Housing in Large Cities

Nowadays, large cities are becoming more crowded because more people are moving to urban areas for jobs and better opportunities. Some people believe that the best way to provide enough homes is to build tall apartment blocks. I partly agree with this view because high-rise buildings have many advantages, but they also have some disadvantages.

On the one hand, tall apartment buildings can provide homes for a large number of people in a small area. This is especially useful in big cities where land is limited and expensive. High-rise buildings can also reduce the need to build houses over large areas. As a result, more land can be used for parks, schools and roads. For example, cities such as Dubai and Singapore have many tall buildings because they have limited space for housing.

On the other hand, building only tall apartment blocks may create some problems. These buildings can be expensive to construct and maintain. They may also cause overcrowding, traffic and pressure on public services such as hospitals and schools. Furthermore, some families prefer houses with gardens because they provide more privacy and space. Therefore, governments should consider other housing options as well.

In conclusion, I partly agree that tall apartment blocks are an effective way to provide homes in large cities. However, I believe that governments should use a combination of high-rise apartments, low-rise houses and proper city planning. This would provide enough housing while also creating comfortable and healthy places for people to live.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have addressed all parts of the prompt by presenting a clear position and supporting it with relevant arguments. You acknowledge both the benefits of high-rise living, such as land efficiency in cities like Dubai and Singapore, and the drawbacks, such as infrastructure pressure and the need for privacy. The ideas are well-developed and the position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, you could further extend your arguments by discussing the long-term socio-economic implications of urban density or providing a more nuanced analysis of how city planning can mitigate the negative aspects of high-rise living.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Furthermore', and 'Therefore', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the response. The structure is coherent, and the relationships between ideas are clearly signaled throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'urban areas', 'land is limited', and 'proper city planning' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is appropriate and clear, it is generally functional rather than sophisticated. To improve, try to incorporate more academic collocations or less common lexical items to demonstrate a wider range. For example, instead of 'big cities', you could use 'metropolitan areas' or 'densely populated urban centers'. Your spelling is accurate throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You show good control over a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Your grammar is generally accurate, and your sentences are easy to read. There are no significant errors that impede communication. To achieve a higher band, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences (e.g., 'If governments were to prioritize mixed-use developments, they could...') or passive voice constructions to vary your sentence rhythm. Your punctuation is correct and supports the flow of your writing.

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