Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-04

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)

The increasing number of people moving from rural areas to cities has created a serious need for more housing. Therefore, I agree wholeheartedly that building vertical apartment blocks is one of the most effective ways to provide enough homes in large cities. In addition, living in flats can encourage people to communicate with each other and share their thoughts and experiences.

On the one hand, living in apartments is beneficial for families, because people live close to each other. They can easily communicate with their neighbours and convey messages from door to door. Furthermore, residents can meet each other in common areas and enjoy spending time together. For example, people living in the same apartment building can arrange small gatherings at weekends, where they can exchange their ideas about their lives, jobs and businesses. This type of social interaction can make people feel less lonely and help them develop strong relationships with their neighbours.

On the other hand, another major advantage of tall apartment buildings is that they can provide many facilities in one place. For example, modern apartment complexes can include shops, gyms, playgrounds, parking areas and other useful services for residents. As a result, people do not need to travel long distances to fulfil their daily needs. This is particularly helpful for families with children because they can use nearby recreational areas safely. Therefore, well-planned apartment buildings can not only provide more homes but also make urban life more convenient and comfortable.

In conclusion, I firmly agree that tall apartment blocks are an effective way to provide sufficient housing in large cities. They not only save land and accommodate more people, but also give residents opportunities to communicate, share ideas and support one another

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position in the introduction and maintaining it throughout. The ideas are relevant, focusing on social interaction and convenience as benefits of high-rise living. However, the response could be improved by addressing the 'extent' of the agreement more critically. While the arguments are logical, they are somewhat repetitive and could be further extended by considering potential drawbacks or counter-arguments to provide a more balanced and nuanced discussion, which is expected for a higher band score. Overall, the task is well-addressed with a clear, consistent viewpoint.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion'. The use of referencing is generally clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate. While the cohesive devices are used effectively, the range is somewhat standard. To reach a higher band, the student could incorporate more sophisticated linking phrases or vary the structure of the transitions to ensure the flow is even more natural and less mechanical.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate and appropriate for the task, allowing the student to convey their ideas clearly. Phrases like 'vertical apartment blocks', 'urban life', and 'recreational areas' demonstrate a good grasp of topic-specific language. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simpler vocabulary. To achieve a higher score, the student should aim to use more precise, less common lexical items and demonstrate better control over collocations. For instance, instead of 'convey messages', more sophisticated alternatives could be used to enhance the academic tone of the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The grammar is generally accurate, and errors are rare and do not impede communication. The student uses complex structures effectively, such as 'This is particularly helpful for families with children because they can use nearby recreational areas safely.' While the control is good, the range of complex structures could be further expanded to include more varied subordinate clauses or conditional forms to demonstrate greater flexibility. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, contributing to the overall clarity of the writing.

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