Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-31

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)

In the contemporary era , few people believe that the excellent way ensure sufficient homes in metropolitian cities is to construct tall apartment buildings to solve this problem. In my opinion, while high-rise buildings are very useful for providing housing, I do not agree that they are the only or best option.

On the one hand, there are valid reasons to construct high-rise buildings in urban areas. Firstly, high-rise buildings save a lot of land space. In highly populated areas, ground space is limited and expensive, so building vertically allows developers to fit lots of families into a small area. Furthermore, tall buildings make better use of public infrastructure. When thousands of people live in one central location, it is easier and cheaper for governments to provide public transport, water, and electricity supply. As a result, tall apartments can make city life more convenient and easier for residents.

On the other hand, there are some compelling disagreements on these reasons, as relying only on tall apartment blocks can cause several problems. Firstly, living in high-rise buildings can lead to social isolation because residents rarely talk to their neighbors or have outdoor community spaces. Secondly, the construction and maintenance costs of high-rise buildings are very high, which means these apartments are not always affordable for low-income families and middle class families.

In conclusion, although tall apartment blocks play a key role in accommodating city residents, they are not the best solution. A combination of vertical buildings along with other developments, and better city planning is necessary to solve the urban housing crisis effectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the task and maintains a clear position throughout. You have provided relevant arguments for both sides of the debate, such as land efficiency and infrastructure for high-rises, and social isolation and cost for the counter-argument. The ideas are extended and supported with logical reasoning. To reach a higher band, you could provide more specific examples—for instance, mentioning a particular city or a specific type of housing development—to further strengthen the development of your ideas. The conclusion effectively summarizes your stance, ensuring the response remains focused on the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the use of cohesive devices like 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion' helps guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall coherence of the text. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions could be more sophisticated to avoid a slightly mechanical feel. Overall, the information is presented in a logical sequence that is easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision. Phrases like 'contemporary era', 'urban housing crisis', and 'public infrastructure' are used effectively. There are some minor issues with word choice, such as 'few people believe that the excellent way ensure', which is slightly awkward. You attempt to use less common vocabulary, which is good, but there is room to incorporate more precise collocations and idiomatic expressions to elevate the tone of the essay to a more academic level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and grammatically sound, though there are occasional slips, such as the missing 'to' in 'the excellent way [to] ensure' and the slightly awkward phrasing in the introduction. Punctuation is generally accurate, and errors do not impede communication. To improve, try to incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as conditional clauses or passive voice, with greater consistency to demonstrate higher control.

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

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